PHX to LAX Commute
#11
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jul 2019
Posts: 51
I had a 1800 short call or field standby (don’t remember which) and by looking at the schedule was pretty sure I was going to be assigned a trip. I wasn’t consolidated yet and I wanted to fly as much as possible as I frankly wasn’t thrilled with my performance thus far. So I drove.
#12
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2017
Position: 175 CA
Posts: 1,285
To be honest, it was awful for me. Way too many other airlines based there which makes the commute rough. Worst was AA. Don’t even bother going to AA was my MO. So many former AWA guys doing the commute that reserve the jumpseat. While often times senior enough to get a seat as a non rev, they still take the jumpseat leaving you behind.
#13
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2018
Posts: 3,238
It's doable. There are usually 5+ pilots
and FAs trying to commute on every flight, sometimes lots more, but as long as you give yourself enough options, you should make it eventually. I just sort of zone out into a zen-like state and try not to get stressed about anything. It's all about your mindset!
and FAs trying to commute on every flight, sometimes lots more, but as long as you give yourself enough options, you should make it eventually. I just sort of zone out into a zen-like state and try not to get stressed about anything. It's all about your mindset!
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2019
Posts: 432
I know they don’t, but if they listed as a normal non rev, they are higher than some lower boarding priorities from regional airlines right? I understand they get to reserve jumpseat which is good for them, but by doing so and not listing as a normal priority Non rev when there are a handful of open seats, but more non revs than seats open jumpseaters get left behind but Sky West gate agents get on.
Perhaps my understanding is totally screwed here about how AA does it and I’d love to have any clarifications, but I can’t fathom taking a jumpseat on a United plane when I could have had a seat in the back as a non rev but will now let an ExpressJet flight attendant get a seat in the back all while leaving an AA pilot behind who could have been in the jumpseat.
Perhaps my understanding is totally screwed here about how AA does it and I’d love to have any clarifications, but I can’t fathom taking a jumpseat on a United plane when I could have had a seat in the back as a non rev but will now let an ExpressJet flight attendant get a seat in the back all while leaving an AA pilot behind who could have been in the jumpseat.
#16
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2018
Posts: 3,238
I know they don’t, but if they listed as a normal non rev, they are higher than some lower boarding priorities from regional airlines right? I understand they get to reserve jumpseat which is good for them, but by doing so and not listing as a normal priority Non rev when there are a handful of open seats, but more non revs than seats open jumpseaters get left behind but Sky West gate agents get on.
Perhaps my understanding is totally screwed here about how AA does it and I’d love to have any clarifications, but I can’t fathom taking a jumpseat on a United plane when I could have had a seat in the back as a non rev but will now let an ExpressJet flight attendant get a seat in the back all while leaving an AA pilot behind who could have been in the jumpseat.
Perhaps my understanding is totally screwed here about how AA does it and I’d love to have any clarifications, but I can’t fathom taking a jumpseat on a United plane when I could have had a seat in the back as a non rev but will now let an ExpressJet flight attendant get a seat in the back all while leaving an AA pilot behind who could have been in the jumpseat.
So if it looks like I'll get a seat as a non rev then I won't list for the JS to hopefully keep the JS free for an offline pilot.
#17
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2019
Posts: 432
#19
I know they don’t, but if they listed as a normal non rev, they are higher than some lower boarding priorities from regional airlines right? I understand they get to reserve jumpseat which is good for them, but by doing so and not listing as a normal priority Non rev when there are a handful of open seats, but more non revs than seats open jumpseaters get left behind but Sky West gate agents get on.
Perhaps my understanding is totally screwed here about how AA does it and I’d love to have any clarifications, but I can’t fathom taking a jumpseat on a United plane when I could have had a seat in the back as a non rev but will now let an ExpressJet flight attendant get a seat in the back all while leaving an AA pilot behind who could have been in the jumpseat.
Perhaps my understanding is totally screwed here about how AA does it and I’d love to have any clarifications, but I can’t fathom taking a jumpseat on a United plane when I could have had a seat in the back as a non rev but will now let an ExpressJet flight attendant get a seat in the back all while leaving an AA pilot behind who could have been in the jumpseat.
An AA pilot traveling as a “D2” (normal unlimited non-rev listing) is eligible for the mainline jumpseat if it hasn’t been reserved in advance (or taken by a Fed, etc). Most pilots will take the jumpseat if it means it will get a non-jumpseat eligible person on board. Most pilots will take the seat in the back if it gets an off-line pilot into the jumpseat.
Same thing applies to “D2WP” or “D2WA” primary/alternate jumpseat reservations. Most won’t hesitate to take a seat in the back if it gets you in the jump, or bypass the seat in the back to get someone’s parent on board.
Sometimes folks fly on D1s for higher priority, especially when connecting to an international flight and attempting to get international first or business class. They may not want to take the jump in that scenario... you only get 6/year, and many don’t want to “waste” one in the jumpseat. They may be traveling with spouse/kids as D1s as well and not willing to jump unless it’s the only way to get their family on. Some may be willing to take a jump for a fellow D2 or offline pilot, but not a D3 (buddy pass) or ZED. You’re not allowed to check-in on a D1 and a D2WP... allowed to make the reservation but not check in on both.
I can’t imagine that thought process is much different than UAL, seniority vs reservation system aside.
#20
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2019
Posts: 432
I’m confused by your confusion.
An AA pilot traveling as a “D2” (normal unlimited non-rev listing) is eligible for the mainline jumpseat if it hasn’t been reserved in advance (or taken by a Fed, etc). Most pilots will take the jumpseat if it means it will get a non-jumpseat eligible person on board. Most pilots will take the seat in the back if it gets an off-line pilot into the jumpseat.
Same thing applies to “D2WP” or “D2WA” primary/alternate jumpseat reservations. Most won’t hesitate to take a seat in the back if it gets you in the jump, or bypass the seat in the back to get someone’s parent on board.
Sometimes folks fly on D1s for higher priority, especially when connecting to an international flight and attempting to get international first or business class. They may not want to take the jump in that scenario... you only get 6/year, and many don’t want to “waste” one in the jumpseat. They may be traveling with spouse/kids as D1s as well and not willing to jump unless it’s the only way to get their family on. Some may be willing to take a jump for a fellow D2 or offline pilot, but not a D3 (buddy pass) or ZED. You’re not allowed to check-in on a D1 and a D2WP... allowed to make the reservation but not check in on both.
I can’t imagine that thought process is much different than UAL, seniority vs reservation system aside.
An AA pilot traveling as a “D2” (normal unlimited non-rev listing) is eligible for the mainline jumpseat if it hasn’t been reserved in advance (or taken by a Fed, etc). Most pilots will take the jumpseat if it means it will get a non-jumpseat eligible person on board. Most pilots will take the seat in the back if it gets an off-line pilot into the jumpseat.
Same thing applies to “D2WP” or “D2WA” primary/alternate jumpseat reservations. Most won’t hesitate to take a seat in the back if it gets you in the jump, or bypass the seat in the back to get someone’s parent on board.
Sometimes folks fly on D1s for higher priority, especially when connecting to an international flight and attempting to get international first or business class. They may not want to take the jump in that scenario... you only get 6/year, and many don’t want to “waste” one in the jumpseat. They may be traveling with spouse/kids as D1s as well and not willing to jump unless it’s the only way to get their family on. Some may be willing to take a jump for a fellow D2 or offline pilot, but not a D3 (buddy pass) or ZED. You’re not allowed to check-in on a D1 and a D2WP... allowed to make the reservation but not check in on both.
I can’t imagine that thought process is much different than UAL, seniority vs reservation system aside.
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