How do overnights work?
09-30-2014, 05:46 PM
#1
Furlough Fodder
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How do overnights work?
Just curious... how do overnights work for 121 pilots? I'm sure it varies from airline to airline, but what's the basic policy?
I'm a military pilot, and when I overnight somewhere, which is quite often, I know that I can stay for free at any hotel I want as long as they offer the government rate. In most cities, that means I can get a room at a Ritz, JW, Gaylord, etc. as long as they offer a gov't rate.
I'm just curious as to what the airlines do for lodging. Is it the lowest bidder that wins, or is there a partner hotel brand? Do pilots have any say as to where they stay?
I'm a military pilot, and when I overnight somewhere, which is quite often, I know that I can stay for free at any hotel I want as long as they offer the government rate. In most cities, that means I can get a room at a Ritz, JW, Gaylord, etc. as long as they offer a gov't rate.
I'm just curious as to what the airlines do for lodging. Is it the lowest bidder that wins, or is there a partner hotel brand? Do pilots have any say as to where they stay?
09-30-2014, 06:48 PM
#2
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On a day to day basis, no. The company will be happy if it has a roof and four walls. The pilots and their union will want something more. Normally there will be a contracted hotel in each city. The airline will beat the price down by contracting for a set number of rooms a night. If there are enough complaints the company may change hotels or if the market changes the hotel may not want to renew the contract.
09-30-2014, 07:55 PM
#3
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It really depends on your contract w/ the company.
Typically, if you are staying somewhere less than 12 hours or so, you will be lodged "near" the airport; near being a relative term--could be 30 mins away.
If you are staying significantly over 12 hours, you may stay downtown or near someplace that has options for eating and entertainment.
Many hotels also have airline rates, that you can use on your off time.
Depending on the rate the airline is paying for the hotel, you may get some points too.
Typically, if you are staying somewhere less than 12 hours or so, you will be lodged "near" the airport; near being a relative term--could be 30 mins away.
If you are staying significantly over 12 hours, you may stay downtown or near someplace that has options for eating and entertainment.
Many hotels also have airline rates, that you can use on your off time.
Depending on the rate the airline is paying for the hotel, you may get some points too.
10-04-2014, 02:03 PM
#6
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Even the worst bottom feeders will typically not go any lower than about the La Quinta Inn standard and about half the hotels are better than that, even at the regional level. Several reasons for this...
Really bad hotels will typically have issues (loud neighbors, poor HVAC, etc) which keep crews awake at night, leading to ****ed off pilots making fatigue calls at outstations.
Lower-end hotels typically don't have vans for airport transport, and will not want to bother with contracting limos.
Also FA's typically will not feel safe at seedy hotels, and the company doesn't want the liability.
Much as they'd like to, it's just not in the company's best interest to stick you at a motel six. Also they typically get a good discount anyone so the wouldn't save much at a cheap hotel which already has razor-thin margins and can't offer discounts.
Really bad hotels will typically have issues (loud neighbors, poor HVAC, etc) which keep crews awake at night, leading to ****ed off pilots making fatigue calls at outstations.
Lower-end hotels typically don't have vans for airport transport, and will not want to bother with contracting limos.
Also FA's typically will not feel safe at seedy hotels, and the company doesn't want the liability.
Much as they'd like to, it's just not in the company's best interest to stick you at a motel six. Also they typically get a good discount anyone so the wouldn't save much at a cheap hotel which already has razor-thin margins and can't offer discounts.
10-12-2014, 06:42 AM
#7
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Airlines with a union typically have a Hotel Committee with a designated committee chair etc. These individuals work the company and the pilots to find the most appropriate accommodations. However, the bottom line is a) what is spelled out in your contract and b) cost.
Many contracts stipulate things such as: Must not be on the bottom floor, must have indoor hallways, must have food available at certain hours. Some further stipulate that hotels must be x amount of stars or be equivalent of x brand (Hampton Inn for example). Of course, your company can say "Eff it, we don't care," and claim they had to book a different hotel that is awful, which I've seen several times. Then you are left filing a grievance with your union yada yada....
Like everything in the airline world, it's simple, but very complicated.
Many contracts stipulate things such as: Must not be on the bottom floor, must have indoor hallways, must have food available at certain hours. Some further stipulate that hotels must be x amount of stars or be equivalent of x brand (Hampton Inn for example). Of course, your company can say "Eff it, we don't care," and claim they had to book a different hotel that is awful, which I've seen several times. Then you are left filing a grievance with your union yada yada....
Like everything in the airline world, it's simple, but very complicated.
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