Originally Posted by
khergan
You don't want to see what it looks like with pure seniority space A travel. Imagine you're commuting, and the night before there are 15 seats. You put in for both a jumpseat and a seat in the back.
When you show up to the airport, you all of a sudden see that there are 20 listed for the 15 seats, 3/4 of which are 1990s hires FAs, their 20-year old kids, and their spouses, and a handful of senior captains. You're out of luck for the back of the plane. The jumpseat only shows you, though. You're going to make it!
Then, as you're waiting for a flight to board, a senior captain with a mustache, cell phone holster and tasseled penny loafers shows up at gate. He proceeds to grab the jump seat, and you're left stranded for your commute. The best you might get from him is a "sorry bud, best luck next time".
Many such cases. Don't ask for this, because it's hell.
I understand how this is a terrible set up. But I don't get why everyone wants to throw the baby out with the bathwater.
I wish it was seniority based, but only 48h prior. This prevents seniority jerks from screwing you over last min. But honors seniority. The company wouldn't be where it was without them here, they deserve it.
When I'm senior, i woul love to book a flight 3 days prior and see where im at on the list. Knowing the only ones who can get ahead of me is D1 if I used a D2, or if I used my D1, I know its mine as long as no rev pax show up.
But giving 20 or 30 years to a company, being unable to legally check in (due to operating and making money for the comoany....) and some desk jockey gets a spot before me is just as BS as a purely seniority based system.
But if no one reserved a spot 24h prior, then it should be check in time.
That gives those flying an opportunity to check in 30h or 48h prior (or sometime before takeoff).