Originally Posted by
aa73
Stop right there, no need to read more. You actually think it's OUR UNION that restricts us from carrying more?
OUR UNION would love to carry as many as there are open seats - but OUR UNION does not own the jumpseat, AMR does. We (APA) are blue in the face from asking our company to relent on this issue. Our CAs do EVERYTHING they can to get as many on board. Given that we are in the midst of heated negotiations for the most important contract of our career, two things ain't happening: 1) the company will attempt to extract AS MUCH as they can in return from unlimited jumpseaters, and b) APA's mission right now is to secure the most important things out of negotiations - PAY, SCOPE and WORK RULES. Unlimited jumpseats is probably pretty far down the list right now, but nevertheless very important for us. We WILL get to it, hands down. We just need to get the rest of the stuff in order.
Please be patient as we are trying to raise the bar for everyone today in the form of an industry leading contract. In the meantime we are very appreciative of the rides on your airlines, and we do EVERYTHING we can within our (AMR-limited) power to accommodate as many of you as we can.
Thanks for your understanding - PLEASE don't turn this into a jumpseat war. Everyone loses then.
73
I agree 73, starting to deny AA guys the jumpseat is ridiculous and the wrong way to fix this. I wish you guys the best of luck with your negotiations, you guys deserve a lot in return for the crap you've dealt with.
That being said, this is an issue that effects OAL guys and doesn't effect you guys as you can just list as non-revs to get the ride. I've been on the losing end of this deal a few times with many seats open in the back and it SUCKS. Your crews have always been very professional and sympathetic and I know their hands are tied. This has been going on for a few years now and I think some jumpseat committees are getting frustrated with the lack of reciprocity. Especially because this rule is only applicable to some carriers and not others.
I don't agree with it, but I'm also not surprised, that committees are starting to restrict AA guys. You said this was far down your guys list of priorities which is understandable, any suggestions as to another avenue OAL guys could take to help fix this?