Originally Posted by
Moose Surgeon
Ok I know it is not exacaly the same, however, US Airways has a similar priority system. The main line person (pilot, fa, maint) all have priority over anyone else on someone elses aircraft. Similar to the UA/UAX issue. However, when you get to the gate you let them know that you are with the airline operating the flght. IE CHQ, AWA, or CJC and you get on first. The gate agents take care of the computer glitch. The do this just about everytime on there own with out large amounts of bickerin. However, on occasion when something goes SNAFU you call scheduling and get the Captain cell # give him/her a hollar and explain the situation. Problem solved for now.
The difference with US Air is that there is a document out there that states you have priority on your own aircraft. If the gate agent disagrees, you can always produce the paperwork proving your point. I understand that such a document doesn't exist on the UAX side.
As far as CAs ensuring the proper priority, we have a hard enough time getting everyone to agree to the priority. I have seen plenty of express dudes get bumped by a mainline pilot when our manual doesn't distinguish between the two. CAs are afraid of offending the mainline. Of course, I've also seen a CA bump an offline JS'r for one of our guys who had positive space to work(was doing the gate agent "a favor"). I objected, but he didn't want to offend the senior guy.
This won't go very far and will be spottily implemented on the express side is my guess since many of us seem to have an inferiority complex.