HercDriver130

This is the heart of it right here..... the GLITCH benefits UAL mainline and the union isnt gonna do jack cr ap.

HSLD

Here is a rhetorical question: Does a computer control the cockpit jumpseat, or does the Captain?

I know at UAL, all jumpseaters are given a boarding card and the Captain decides (guided by policy) who rides. What is it at UAX that prevents the Captain from using his authority in the same way? (seriously, I'm not familiar with the operation).

I read the letter and it seems to me that the UAX Jumpseat coordinators want to hold the UAL pilots hostage in order to fix a UAL computer problem. Aside from holding another pilot group ransom being bad form - UAL hasn't fixed anything for their own employees in years. Any ideas why the UAX contractors would chose this tact?

H46Bubba

I think it has more to do with the short turn times the UAX carriers have. That doesn't give them time to sort out jumpseaters or get up to the gate to make sure who's jumpseating and that they're in the correct order.

Flyer2000

I guess you haven't had to deal with the UAL CSR's in ORD. You go waving a piece of paper in their face and telling them they're wrong you will not get anywhere, no matter how polite about it you are.

The onus should not have to fall on the captains to delay flights in order to settle jumpseat disputes at the gate. Yes it would solve the problem without having to put out letters like this one but that method is just not doable 100% of the time And if it is not doable 100% of the time then there is the potential to leave on of your own behind. So if there is potential to leave one of your own behind (for a higher priority pilot of course), then why not just fix the glitch to recognize the flight numbers. The software seems to recognize the flight numbers when we non-rev.

If you are good with the status quo then don't strive to fix it. If you are a UAL pilot you should be offended that your companies software treats a fellow pilot this way, and let your MEC know you think it should be fixed. Seems like the UAL MEC has the ability to get the software to do what it is they want by changing the priorities.

ryguy

I think the UAL guys should be careful with the threats. I would hate to see how many UAL guys will not get to work because UAX stops letting them on. The reply letter just seems very arrogant to me. I think a lot of guys are not realizing how much flying UAX does for UAL these days.

From an outside perspective, it looks like some simple honesty at the gate could have prevented this whole thing. Obviously UAL guys have been taking seats that they knew weren't theirs.

JustAMushroom

The quick answer is.. the Captain controls the jumpseat. The working problem is UAX often does not control the gates... United does...and they will not allow a js pilot to see the Captain, so it takes effort on the Captain's part to walk (in someplaces a signficant distance accross a ramp or terminal) to see about other js pilots. If you are doing one or two legs it doesn't sound like a big deal. But try 6 in and out of ORD and you get the picture.

And also, picture this ... a UAL pilot and a UAX pilot trying to get home on the last flight on a UAX airplane. There should be a known priority. If it was a UAL plane, you can bet you A$$ the Captain, gate agent and js pilot know the pecking order. At UAX it is not workable to have a "gate agent policy" then have each Captain figure out what the "Captain policy/ priority" is on each leg. What's right is right and this noise about "too much $ or time to fix it" from United is not taken seriously by anyone working for UAX.

UAX pilots should always go first on their own aircraft. Then UAL pilots, then all other UAX pilots, then all other pilots from other companies. It's been that way for as far back as I can remember. Why UAL chose change the computer codes and pick this fight now is beyond me.

HercDriver130

Many times we are doing 29-35 minutes turns.... and while it would be nice to say we could always go up to the gate to ensure the gate agent is doing THEIR job.... there just isnt always time.... HELL the UAL gate agents that work UAX flights in DEN, ORD and IAD are so damn lazy already we have to print our own releases and paper work so they wont be burdened.... christ whats next..... the FO will have to run the gate for each flight to ensure it is done right? Here is just one example of ORD mainline gate agent stupidity... I was told recently that my Pos space dead head seat had been given away because I didnt check in 24 HOURS ahead of time....she was a real rocket scientist.... imagine trying to explain JS priorities to a mental midget like that.

ghilis101

nobody is denying that there are a some horrible csr's out there. theres also some really great ones who go out of their way to help you.

however lets not confuse the issue. yes captains control the JS and the computer system is messed up. But still the big problem here is did the UAX guys who wrote this letter really think this whole thing through? I feel your frustration but seriously, this is going to get even more ugly now.

waflyboy

I agree that gate agents in Chicago can sometimes be difficult to work with. Just think of the bright side of this whole thing: when United cuts back our flying this fall, we won't have to deal with it as often.

As for the jumpseat deal, hell, you don't need to commute when you're on COLA or furlough.

Short Bus Drive

If it helps any, mainline has to print our own too!!!
And I don't know why you are jumping in on this, you are leaving anyway.
As far as our MEC, they are aware of the problem.
ryguy, I think you should look back and see who made the "threats". Again, why should YOU care. You're not even ALPA are you? I believe there are more UAX on mainline, than the other way around.