Originally Posted by
psycomant
What I still don't get is this...other than buddy passes and all the other gigs, you technically really don't need travel benefits since you can fly around for free in the CASS system...am I correct or there's something I'm missing?
Depends on how you look at it. To be clear, CASS has NOTHING what so ever to do with international JS'ing. It's a domestic thing only.
Now, pulling this in with the other thread. If I am "non-reving" as opposed to JS'ing, I will partake in the amenities offered in first class. That is, I'm not in uniform, etc.
It can depend on who you work for. Say CAL/XJT. We get allocated what are called "vacation passes" every year. If I am going to travel for vacation, I will use one for various reasons. For one, it puts me in a higher priority category than a regular non-rev, and it costs me NOTHING to use. If you are DAL/DelCon, just pay your yearly fee and take advantage of your international travel days.
Remember this, when you are JS'ing you are the absolute last person to get issued a seat. Now, domestic it may not matter as the physical JS may be open and there is your ride. International where you CANNOT occupy the seat (certain exception) and the flight fills up, you are SOL. Every other non rev is going to get a seat before you. Including buddy pass/companion riders, as well as ID/ZED pass riders. If you have the option to non-rev, it's better.
This example has happened to me before. FOR NOW, CAL boarding priority goes by DOH as it pertains to CAL/XJT. So say I am using a REGULAR S3 pass to get to work. If a mainline CAL employee with less seniority is there, I get on before them. Say I'm the only pilot, I am going to take the actual JS, then another pilot from an non coex carrier shows up. If my seniority can hold a seat in the back, I will take the seat in the back to free up the JS so he can get home/to work as well. But that's just me, I will help out a fellow commuter in that regard. SOME guys don't go by that, are very "me first" and consider it a dog eat dog world. Like I said, JS.commuting karma can be a beyotch.
Now, if you are commuting or JS'ing around the country a lot, and you work at a place that charges you for every leg, then by all means, use the JS. It's way cheaper than using your bennies. Like I said, at XJT, if I was to use my S3 passes to commute all the time, it would run around $100-125 a month. if you are first year FO, that can add up. And that's coach, if you use first class, it gets even MORE expensive. Using my Delta benefits, it's just the $50 a year and then unlimited after that. For BOTH coach and first class.