Originally Posted by
HighFlight
Please re-read my post. I was referrring to two different incidents. The one I was talking about was after the 15 minute cutoff.
But yes, I have been let down prior to 15 minutes a time or two. I have also been assigned seats when non-revving when there are empty seats and boarding hasn’t even started (mostly in ATL and DTW). Sometimes, fate shines on us. At my home airport, I NEVER get a seat until every other passenger has boarded, even if the plane is half empty.
Nowhere did I say you should be ashamed, not sure why you are taking it that way. You have arrived where so many of us hope to someday be, and that’s awesome for you! I am glad there are EDV people there talking good things about the company, because far too many ML pilots seem not to know we even exist. I have actually applauded some of your posts in the past, if you recall (I think it was over the new non rev priority thing, but not sure). My thanks was sincere, but it seems as if you thought otherwise.
My apologies. If you read back, I believe the other responder thought the same thing, it sounded to me like you were giving it as an advantage of being let down early. I did completely misread your post and your response as well. I thought I was out of character, but that kind of etiquette can get me riled up as you saw.
As far as nonrev boarding, some gate agents seem to make a personal vendetta against nonrevs to try to force nonrevs to gate check their bags (I actually heard one gate agent make that as an actual PA "all nonrev passengers will be required to gate check bags." They are supposed to start to clear standbys at 30 prior when the flight closes and are authorized to do it earlier in some circumstances (I don't know the specifics there). It always bothered me when certain agents would intentionally wait to clear standbys like you talk about. SEA used to be really bad about it although I understand they've gotten much better.
I think being let down more than 15 prior is just fine in and of itself. For one it lets the jumpseater get their bag onboard. It stinks being the last on and hoping there's room in a closet or somewhere to get your bag on.
One more thing to add (this isn't for you, just a general proclamation0. If you list for a jumpseat and decide to do something else, cancel your listing if at all possible. I was commuting about a week ago and the aircraft was a 75S, which is a 757 that has two jumpseats, I had listed well ahead and an offline pilot (I don't know who for) had listed somewhere else and been assigned to the jumpseat then (not just listed like you're supposed to be). Another offline pilot showed up wanting a ride. I looked into taking the FA jumpseat but it was already taken. The catch is, the one who was assigned the seat didn't show up. Unfortunately the other pilot had already left (I made sure the CA knew there were other pilots wanting to get on when the seat was empty after boarding and the agent did go back up to try to find him). Especially if you see a 1P or 2P on the ticket, make sure to cancel your listing with an agent or in travelnet if you decide to go to a different flight.