Non Reving Priority on USAirways

[2clippedwings]

Yes, you can clear out of order. but there is a paper trail. the PALL list (standby) lists all S3-S5's based on seniority, everyone else is time of check-in (imagine that!!!). The list also has revenue passengers, and I find it easier to do it manually (GA1,2,3 etc - number being the line # on the list) while others do GALL and spits out BPs for everyone.
I have been the gate agent and have had this. I will call the more senior passengers to the podium and explain I have a family / group and want to seat them together, and if its OK I do that, and here are the seats I can offer them. I'll also sometimes print off a seatmap so they can select their own seats (GA1/18F, for example). Most of the time the passengers are OK with it... but I've had a few sticklers...
I would do it at the 30 minute cut off, but I have a different way of doing things. I assign a dummy printer to save time & boarding pass stock (GAXXX) and if its wide open, i give everyone their seats and let them board with their respective group. If its tight, I'll still clear the list to protect my NRSAs but not hand out seats until 10 minutes prior, in case someone shows up at the counter and they let them thru... this way I still give the revenue passengers the best seats available.
I think we will have something similar to the US-East system that mixes it.

I'd like to see S1/S2 based on time of check-in, while S3/4/5 remains DOH. this way it puts value on my S1 passes. S6-9 will also be time of check-in.

Oddly enough, a couple of days ago the parents and children of an active mainline employee traveling without the employee were boarded on my flight as S3 while a commuting active WO pilot was boarded (also S3) after them. I was under the impression with the new boarding priority that the employee must travel with family in order to be S3. Does the computer automatically assign boarding order? In addition, I've seen agents list WO active employees as S5 (as an affiliate employee). How do you politely correct the situation in the fewest words without risking suspension of your travel privileges?

 

[tadjr]

You cannot clear 30 stand-bys and get them boarded in less than 30 minutes, these days, and still leave on-time So, what happens if you clear a bunch of SA3, and oh, wait, I just checked in, 25 mins before departure, and I have seniority (SA3)

A good gate agent with experience could clear and get the plane out as long as they were the controlling agent and not the 1 and only agent working the flight. 😀
Second, the standby list is supposed to close for nonrevs at 30 mins before dept since everyone is supposed to have checked in by then. In the case of rerouting due to maint/other full flights, it can sometimes happen less than this, but they are supposed to go below others on the list and anyone who already has a boarding card is not supposed to have it pulled for someone (other than revenue) who shows up after 30 mins if you've already been cleared.
If they wanted to drop you down a notch from where you should be or have a separate category above other airline employees for less than 30 mins, I wouldnt have a problem with this.

 

[tadjr]

Is it possible to clear the standby's out of order under the seniority priority system when there aren't enough available seats? Not implying that any agent would be tempted to do this, but just wondering if it's possible.

Yes, you can clear any number on the standby list, however, its going to show that you've cleared them for all to see. In other words, if I clear an S7 who is number 35 and let the S3 and S4 not be cleared, its going to show a big seat number next to number 35 and nothing above. If I clear them to get a boarding pass, and then take the seat number off, it puts it back on the map for someone else to assign. Since we can now sine into computers at other stations to check info, I dont think this is as big a problem as it could have once been when you were on your own in another station. I can sine in at the gate across the hall and check the standby list and if I hear names below me being called (and I'm not waiting for FC or the door is about to close), then I'm going to ask about it. Dont forget also, many people have friends checking on their progress when they are on vacation and I'm sure it would be hard to get away with something like this. I have seen notes on the SB list in other cities (long lists where people have decided to go other routes) where they add a note on the list with either PAGED or NOANS showing meaning they called them and they didnt show up and that is why they kept clearing below.

 

[tadjr]

Oddly enough, a couple of days ago the parents and children of an active mainline employee traveling without the employee were boarded on my flight as S3 while a commuting active WO pilot was boarded (also S3) after them. I was under the impression with the new boarding priority that the employee must travel with family in order to be S3. Does the computer automatically assign boarding order?

It does not automatically assign boarding order. The agent is supposed to pull up the Employee Travel Info (that is why some ask you for your travel card number to get into the database) and put you on the list according to the info at the top. With the changes to those traveling alone being a step behind, it is going to take some time to get everyone in tune with that. For so many years we've been used to just putting them on where the database indicates, that some agents forget about the step below. I wouldnt hesitate to question politely though if it meant getting on a plane. Before long everyone should have done enough to remember that they go a step behind. I have also seen the kiosk still put family members traveling alone on as S3 instead of S4. Maybe they did the kiosk thing? Most gate agents arent going to ask every S3 they are clearing if they are the active employee or family member unless they are bored and looking for something to do (iow, isnt going to happen.)

In addition, I've seen agents list WO active employees as S5 (as an affiliate employee). How do you politely correct the situation in the fewest words without risking suspension of your travel privileges?

Many (lazy) agents see Express and think S5. Many agents couldnt even tell you that there are Wholly Owned and affiliate airlines. Its a training thing. For the travel card, Piedmont and PSA should just have mainline on it and be done with it. This would avoid some of the confusion. If you happen to see that you are an S5 instead of S3, I would again politely advise the agent that it looks like I was put on as an S5, but PSA is supposed to be an S3, could you change it for me?
This is one thing Shares has the capability of doing (if its done right of course when the listing is made). It shows in the reservation exactly what code you are.

 

[BoeingBoy]

Thanks, tadjr. I guess that it's effectively as I suspected - it can be done in either system (FCFS or seniority) if an agent is so inclined and willing to take the risk of both being caught and reported.

I guess you could label me as apathetic. Back in the Pacer days, I knew how to pull all that stuff up. Since we don't non-rev much (2-3 times a year), we've always picked lighter travel days to non-rev, and I'd gotten senior enough that it was rare not to get on if there were empty seats, I just never learned the entries for checking that stuff after the switch to Sabre.

Jim

 

[exB717Flyer]

The last numbers I saw were 80/20 in favor of seniority.

Duh! Care to run the numbers in PHX?

 

[Ramp Rogue]

Duh! Care to run the numbers in PHX?

I retired from RUNNING NUMBERS, now I just work at USAIR! 🙂

 

[Elevation]

I was there.
And I hate to break it to you , but DogWonder was right...The overwhelming majority of the responses were in favor of seniority. It's not about entitlement; it's about respect, and doing what is inherently right.

When a flight is over sold and they have to bump a reveunue pax do they do it buy who has been in the frequent flyer program the longest or who checked in last. As far as the reponses go east coast people are natural complainers 😛 so its not accurate, come west and take a poll and see 😛 .

 

[Geek]

They asked for opinions, and it is overwhelmingly in favor of seniority

Of course it is going to be that way. There are twice as many East side people with higher seniority than West side people without. How is that fair?
This will not be decided by votes or percentages. This is a benefit. It is pushed on the West side as a benefit and part of the hiring package/ compensation. I know a number of valuable people in key jobs / non-union that count on this as part of their salary, as it was stated on taking their positions. And yes on the west side this is heavily pushed as part of your compensation. In my position alone we could make quite a bit more out of this industry, but are told this is part of our salary. If this is negated with seniority, I know many will not stay.
Geek

 

[tadjr]

When a flight is over sold and they have to bump a reveunue pax do they do it buy who has been in the frequent flyer program the longest or who checked in last.

The oversale (East SMF and West HKN) customers go on the list on the East by FF status and then time of checkin within the category. Therefore a US5 who checks in at 1 hour before dept will go below a US1 who checks in at 45mins. Otherwise, all things being the same, time of checkin, last to check in first to get bumped unless volunteers are found.

 

[USCREW]

As far as the reponses go east coast people are natural complainers 😛 so its not accurate, come west and take a poll and see 😛 .

Since you quoted me, I guess you are saying that I am an east coast complainer. I am from farther west than you and I don't complain. Are you a natural idiot? :blink:

 

[Elevation]

Since you quoted me, I guess you are saying that I am an east coast complainer. I am from farther west than you and I don't complain. Are you a natural idiot? :blink:

If the shoe fits.... 😛 . If you were born and raised in the islands and you fly for US who's the idiot lol 😀

 

[USCREW]

If the shoe fits.... 😛 . If you were born and raised in the islands and you fly for US who's the idiot lol 😀

Who said I was BORN and RAISED in the islands? You assume a lot and know very little.

 

[john john]

Against the rules....

Against what rules your spouse and any body can use the HUB if you are stuck in a city you have to relay on somebody at a remote location to use your HUB access. What the heck do expect a non-rev to due if every think is base on the HUB from ck-in to ticketing? So you are saying only the employee can have access to the HUB under no crustaceans can no body else have access to you HUB pass. What world due you live in the world of positive space?

 

[Elevation]

Who said I was BORN and RAISED in the islands? You assume a lot and know very little.

Look for the IF in that statement smart guy :blink: Dude you don't know where you're from You claim to be from farther west but are you just another transplant from the east coast In the end it doen't matter it's the attitude that's important B)