EngineOut

Boy, I hope this gets resolved before it comes to this. I'd hate to get into a ****ing match with mainline, as it's a pretty important part of many of our commutes

From Jumpseat Coordinator

Important Letter to United Pilots

June 30, 2008

To United Airlines pilots:

On behalf of the Jumpseat Committees representing all of the carriers flying as United Express, welcome aboard. Unfortunately, this letter has been provided to you because you will likely be affected by a difficult decision, reluctantly arrived at by the United Express (UAX) pilots. Over the last couple of years, United Airlines (UAL) has made changes to the gate jumpseating and priority software programs. Several of these changes have adversely affected not only the UAX pilots, but also the UAL pilots, as well. There is widespread confusion and frustration amongst many of the pilots regarding how the gate computer sorts priorities for jumpseat requests. Based upon the UAX agreement tables, jumpseat requests on UAX flights are supposed to be processed like this:

1. On their own flights, UAX pilots are sorted first, in order of their seniority.
2. UAL pilots and “other” UAX pilots are sorted next, in order of their check-in.
3. Non UAL/UAX pilots (“offline pilots”) are then sorted, in order of their check-in.

HOWEVER, the current software being used by UAL does NOT sort jumpseat requests in this order. Instead, all jumpseat requests are sorted as if the flight were a mainline UAL flight. This means that UAX pilots are being bumped by UAL pilots on their own UAX flights. The computer software also sorts some UAX pilots as if they were offline pilots, even on their own flights. Despite nine (9) months of repeated appeals to UAL management, and despite the fact that a minor software change would solve this issue (simply change the computers to recognize the carriers’ flight number) UAX carriers have recently been told that UAL will not fix this blatant degradation of our jumpseat agreements because to do so would not generate revenue for UAL. This position is untenable.

We have now sent a detailed letter to UALPA’s MEC, addressing these very important issues, and we have provided UALPA with specific examples of where UAL has made non-revenue generating changes to the gate software. The UAX pilots have respectfully requested that the gate jumpseat software be fixed within thirty (30) days. Regrettably, if UAL does not fix the jumpseat software within thirty (30) days, UAX pilots will be left with no other choice but to deny all UAL pilots any requests for the jumpseat, regardless of aircraft tail-colors beginning 08/31/08.

On behalf of all UAX pilots, we sincerely hope that we will not be forced to deny any UAL pilot a ride, as we are mindful of the fact that many UAL pilots will be negatively impacted. To that end, we are simply asking that you immediately call or email your MEC to let them know how important your UAX commute is, and to help us all obtain a fair and just resolution. Thank you for your professionalism and active cooperation.

Signed, the pilots of:

Chautauqua Airlines
Colgan Airlines
Go Jets Airlines
Mesa Air Group
Shuttle America
SkyWest Airlines

newarkblows

UAL has bigger fish to fry right now. Expect a "due to the changing landscape of this complex business we are unable to fix this issue in the timeframe allotted. This issue can be addressed on (insert date)." you will get the run around and nothing will happen.

flynavyj

hey, look-at-dat, Trans States didn't sign it.....our company must be getting ready to tank....gah.

rememberaloha

****ing matches may suck, but remember, they need our jumpseats a lot more that we need theirs. Though it may be trickier (double legs, etc), we still have the entire UAX network with which to commute. UAX pretty much blankets the country now. We have far more backups if we have trouble with mainline jumpseats.....oh, wait, we already have issues.

Once the old senior guys have trouble with DAY/SBN/GRR/AZO/GRM/DSM - Chicago, I guarantee you UALPA hopefully will get her head out of her @$$ and come to some sense.

EngineOut

Unfortunately, we will be denying UAL mainline jumpseats on our flights until it's resolved. I think your statement is accurate and that's why it's come to this.

CRJDriver

This is so ****ing stupid!

Short Bus Drive

This is gonna get U-G-L-Y!!!!!
Is there an actual name of this "Jumpseat Coordinator"?

IFly17

I am afraid some grumpy unhappy old UA guys will jump the gun and start denying us right away.

Better use this whole month to figure out alternate commutes.

thndr8

This will do nothing but produce some more bad relationships. Quit using our jumpseats as political tools and weapons. This will do nothing but hurt pilots. Does anyone think that UAL management will listen to the UAL management group about jumpseat agreements? They have enought going on right now like spending their bonuses. We all need them to get to work, see our kids and families, etc..

IFly17

The e-mail we got from our company said print the letter (it was attached as a word document) and give it to every UA jumpseater. Just add TSA to the list.

One of my good friends from college fiance is a captain there and commutes. In honor of her, I am adding TSA to the list of airlines on my copy.