apufire

I'm currently at SWA, but just received an offer to interview at AA. My wife was asking about the non-rev benefits at AA. I've heard they're pretty good, but don't have any specifics. Aside from a chance to now go overseas, what is good about non-rev at AA? Thanks.

Arado 234

Not sure how you travel bennies are at SWA, but you can also buy ZED tickets on other airlines. My wife has already flown two crossings on AF380`s.

You get 12 (?) higher priority tickets a year (D1) and unlimited D2 tickets for you, your family and registered travelers.

Do a search on the j/s system. I like it a lot.

Name User

Absolutely nothing...it is rare I am not in a Jumpseat to go to work...they sell every seat and then some. Nonrevving is extremely tough here unless you are retired and can wait it out or travel in the "down season" (ie Jan or Oct).

I would stay at SWA, long term viability of the company is better.

thrust

6 D1s/calendar year (highest priority standby passes) each for you and spouse/domestic partner. They’re not cell phone minutes, they don’t carry over.

Unlimited D2s for you and spouse/domestic partner/non-adult children (not sure of the age limit).

Unlimited D2Ps for your parents. You can designate your in-laws as D2Ps, and they will get the associated priority bump... but still have to pay D3 (buddy pass) level service fees.

15 (I think) D3s/calendar year to give to people you no longer want to be friends with.

Jumpseat is first come/first serve reservation, 8 days in advance at 2000 central time. Some 64.5 year old can’t just show up at the last minute to bump you off, for the most part.

thrust

Yeah, having a seniority based jumpseat system would help you tons.

Have your apps in elsewhere?

Name User

His question was about non revving.

Unless his wife also gets hired as a pilot at AA, how would a Jumpseat reservation system help her non rev?

FlyPurdue

I have had AA travel benefits for 7+ years now (AA for 5, and Envoy for 2). I think they are the best in the industry. Boarding priority is determined by pass classification D1, D2, then D2R (retiree), D2P (parents), and then D3 (buddy pass). The order of the employees within each classification is by check-in time. You can check in online 24 hours prior to departure. Most of the time it is a mad dash to click the check in button right at D-24, but more often than not you are satisfied with your location on the list.

There are a few nuances, to be aware of. If you are transiting somewhere ie DFW-AAA-BBB, once you make the DFW-AAA flight, you are now a 'T' for the AAA-BBB flight. 'Through Status'. This makes you higher than a regular pass holder, ie a D2T is higher than a D2, but not as high as a D1. A D1T pretty much trumps everything. If you don't make the first flight you tried for, you 'roll' to the next flight, and as its check in time based - all the sudden you should be toward the top of the list for that flight.

One aspect of the travel system that is pretty cool, is your eligible D2s (your spouse, dependents, etc), all fly as a D2 whether or not you accompany them. Some airlines, they would fly at a lesser status than the employee when not accompanied.

If you are offered (and accept) the job you will have to read the travel guide as it outlines all of this in much greater detail.

With 7 years experience, I have never flown in coach across an ocean (20+ trips). I have absolutely missed flights, but a little planning goes a long way. We have only purchased 2 last minute, walkup fares...every other time we made at least the last flight out. Finally, although there are merits to the seniority system - I have found that this system works out 'most' of the time, and gives you a little sense of well being knowing that you won't get bumped last minute when a 30+ year employee shows up.

Good Luck!

thrust

You claimed there was “absolutely nothing” good about AA’s non-rev system, then go on to complain about how you have to ride the jumpseat to work. The horror. Commuting is a choice...

Non-rev travel is a mixed bag at all carriers, but you’d rather just hate on AA constantly.

thrust

Careful- Name User will be along any minute to claim there’s “absolutely nothing” good about AA non-rev benefits.

PRS Guitars

I’ve had good experiences. Been here 5 years, don’t live in a Hub. My family of 5 take 1 to 2 vacations a year. This year was the first time my kids experienced not making a flight and having to sit around waiting. They usually travel on the higher D1 pass, since they don’t travel a lot. We are aggressively flexible though, by that I mean I look at multiple cities and times to fly a few days prior. I usually have many back up plans but rarely have to use them. We aren’t averse to red eyes either. As for commuting, I haven’t had the same experience as Nameuser. I’m more often than not, in the cabin.

Also, I wouldn’t use the travel benefits in your decision matrix about wether to take the job. Yeah, we have our problems at AA, but I would tell you to come on over (depending on where you live). I know 5 guys who jumped from SWA to AA, all were happy about it.