Jumpseat question for Delta and United
02-11-2015, 11:01 AM
#1
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Joined APC: Nov 2013
Posts: 159
Jumpseat question for Delta and United
AA and US are currently discussing which jumpseat program should be adopted going forward.
-US uses a reservation based system which allows a pilot to reserve a jumpseat a week ahead of time, thus decreasing stress and making commutes more efficient.
-AA uses a seniority system which allows a senior pilot to bump a junior pilot off the jumpseat up to 15 minutes prior, thus making commuting more stressful, unpredictable and therefore making getting to work more difficult than it needs to be. It benefits only the #1 pilot on the list and 14,999 others have the uncertainly of being bumped during their commute.
My question is this.... which system does Delta and United use? If you could briefly explain how it works, that would be excellent, as well as any pros and cons you see.
Thanks in advance.
-US uses a reservation based system which allows a pilot to reserve a jumpseat a week ahead of time, thus decreasing stress and making commutes more efficient.
-AA uses a seniority system which allows a senior pilot to bump a junior pilot off the jumpseat up to 15 minutes prior, thus making commuting more stressful, unpredictable and therefore making getting to work more difficult than it needs to be. It benefits only the #1 pilot on the list and 14,999 others have the uncertainly of being bumped during their commute.
My question is this.... which system does Delta and United use? If you could briefly explain how it works, that would be excellent, as well as any pros and cons you see.
Thanks in advance.
02-11-2015, 11:08 AM
#2
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Position: DAL 330
Posts: 6,992
Delta uses a reservation system. You can basically book going to work something like 5 days ahead, going home from work 4 days ahead and personal bookings can be made 2 days ahead.
This prioritizes work related jump-seats over personal travel. Most guys seem to like the system. DAL does use a seniority based system for non-revs, so seniority pulls some weight in traveling.
On the other hand I could see the senior guys at AA not wanted to give up the seniority system that they have been using for years.
Scoop
This prioritizes work related jump-seats over personal travel. Most guys seem to like the system. DAL does use a seniority based system for non-revs, so seniority pulls some weight in traveling.
On the other hand I could see the senior guys at AA not wanted to give up the seniority system that they have been using for years.
Scoop
02-11-2015, 02:01 PM
#3
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Joined APC: Jul 2010
Position: window seat
Posts: 12,544
AA and US are currently discussing which jumpseat program should be adopted going forward.
-US uses a reservation based system which allows a pilot to reserve a jumpseat a week ahead of time, thus decreasing stress and making commutes more efficient.
-AA uses a seniority system which allows a senior pilot to bump a junior pilot off the jumpseat up to 15 minutes prior, thus making commuting more stressful, unpredictable and therefore making getting to work more difficult than it needs to be. It benefits only the #1 pilot on the list and 14,999 others have the uncertainly of being bumped during their commute.
My question is this.... which system does Delta and United use? If you could briefly explain how it works, that would be excellent, as well as any pros and cons you see.
Thanks in advance.
-US uses a reservation based system which allows a pilot to reserve a jumpseat a week ahead of time, thus decreasing stress and making commutes more efficient.
-AA uses a seniority system which allows a senior pilot to bump a junior pilot off the jumpseat up to 15 minutes prior, thus making commuting more stressful, unpredictable and therefore making getting to work more difficult than it needs to be. It benefits only the #1 pilot on the list and 14,999 others have the uncertainly of being bumped during their commute.
My question is this.... which system does Delta and United use? If you could briefly explain how it works, that would be excellent, as well as any pros and cons you see.
Thanks in advance.
The reservation system is fair, transparent and helps all pilots plan their commutes and travel plans much better.
02-11-2015, 03:34 PM
#4
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Joined APC: Apr 2012
Posts: 403
The Airways folks have been using their system for years too. It actually started at Piedmont if I am not mistaken and was incorporated during that merger many years ago. This is not new. It should also be noted that the West pilots and the East pilots both like the system. It takes an act of God for them to agree except in this case. That says a lot about how well the system works. Also, West was very much against the idea when it was put in place for them during the so called merger of US Airways and AWA.
02-14-2015, 07:44 PM
#5
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Posts: 152
Why not a hybrid? Seniority 4-5 days out and then first come first serve after that. That way you don't have to reserve it as soon as your within the max time frame, but you also don't have to worry about it being taken away inside of 3 days.
02-14-2015, 08:09 PM
#6
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Position: A350 Captain (RET)
Posts: 149
IMHO, the new hire has just as much right to get to work as I do when it comes to the jumpseat. However when it comes to a seat in the back... then we will use longevity.
Also the Achilles Heel of our Jumpseat system and booking is the archaic way we make the reservation.
All the best,
OC
02-14-2015, 08:22 PM
#7
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Posts: 5,244
I don't particularly care for a seniority based system regarding the jumpseat. Although, it would benefit me personally (top 1%) it prevents stability in going to or from work.
IMHO, the new hire has just as much right to get to work as I do when it comes to the jumpseat. However when it comes to a seat in the back... then we will use longevity.
Also the Achilles Heel of our Jumpseat system and booking is the archaic way we make the reservation.
All the best,
OC
IMHO, the new hire has just as much right to get to work as I do when it comes to the jumpseat. However when it comes to a seat in the back... then we will use longevity.
Also the Achilles Heel of our Jumpseat system and booking is the archaic way we make the reservation.
All the best,
OC
Non rev is also seniority based. If you're a junior commuter, it can be painful.
02-14-2015, 08:32 PM
#8
Da Hudge
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: Poodle Whisperer
Posts: 17,473
I don't particularly care for a seniority based system regarding the jumpseat. Although, it would benefit me personally (top 1%) it prevents stability in going to or from work.
IMHO, the new hire has just as much right to get to work as I do when it comes to the jumpseat. However when it comes to a seat in the back... then we will use longevity.
Also the Achilles Heel of our Jumpseat system and booking is the archaic way we make the reservation.
All the best,
OC
IMHO, the new hire has just as much right to get to work as I do when it comes to the jumpseat. However when it comes to a seat in the back... then we will use longevity.
Also the Achilles Heel of our Jumpseat system and booking is the archaic way we make the reservation.
All the best,
OC
Strange (like many of their practices!)
02-15-2015, 05:12 AM
#10
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Joined APC: Apr 2013
Position: A350 Captain (RET)
Posts: 149
The United system for JS is seniority based. You can book it as far in advance as you want but until the jetway pulls back you never know if you have it. Some senior commuters will literally book at the gate as a matter of habit, because they know they can. Really drives guys crazy.
Non rev is also seniority based. If you're a junior commuter, it can be painful.
Non rev is also seniority based. If you're a junior commuter, it can be painful.
) I like the way we separate priorities of a) going to work, b) going from work and c) personal travel. Keep in mind, if you are commuting to work with the required back up, there should be a policy in place to allow a Positive Space on the back up flight. Therefore a junior commuter shouldn't spend a lot of time stressing about getting to work.
Fly safe... stay warm
OC
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