Originally Posted by
mainlineAF
AA pilots do not need a backup flight to be protected by the commuter policy. The single flight can be either online or offline. The flight must “arrive at the pilots domicile within a reasonable time before scheduled departure”.
Online: adequate seat availability within 24 hours of departure.
If you have the primary jumpseat booked that is sufficient. If the flight is on an RJ then I’ve used the policy when there was one seat open when non-rev check in became available 24 hours prior.
Offline: scheduled to operate 24 hours prior to your departure.
If you can’t make it you are removed without pay. Scheduling may take you off the entire trip or allow you to join up with the trip at some point. It’s up to their discretion.
In reality this is not much different than ours. Our reasonable amount of time is 90 minutes before checkin. This assures your hours will be put into your makeup bank.
If you are commuting in for a FDX flight the only restriction is be there at showtime. If you don’t make it in by showtime you are removed without pay. If you had a reasonable plan to get there but it crapped out, and you kept the company in the loop, that is it.