LeineLodge

Hey all,

I'm in the process of finalizing a jumpseat listing application that allows a commuter to schedule a jumpseat in advance of the listing window opening. For example, at Delta we can book a To Work jumpseat 5.5 days prior to the flight date, with the booking window opening at noon. This is a problem if you happen to commute on a highly contested route and/or are flying/otherwise unavailable when the window opens. This app allows a Delta pilot to schedule the listing attempt as far in advance as he wants. The program then waits until the exact moment that the listing window opens, and attempts the listing automatically.

I already have this system put together for Delta (working on approval from mgmt to launch it as we speak) and am looking to get it up and running at USAir as well, as I understand you guys have a similar setup where a jumpseat can be booked 7 days prior to the flight date, at midnight.

I have several questions about your system if anyone is able to help out. If you don't feel comfortable listing all this info out in the open, feel free to PM me. Any USAir pilot who's interested in helping out with the design/testing of this app at USAir will get free personal use of the service.

Thanks in advance guys!

Questions:

1. Do you guys book via an automated phone line (ie press 1 for jumpseat, enter the flight #, etc)?

2. Can you also book via the computer/company intranet? Or is it only via the phone?

3. Do the flight attendants have the same ability to list 7 days in advance? Is it via the same system as the pilots?

4. How many pilots/flight attendants does USAir have? How large of a % do you think are commuters?

5. Are the East/West jumpseat policies and listing procedures the same? Can you guys list on each other's flights? Is it all seamless now or still operating as two separate systems?

6. Does anything like this already exist at USAir?

crzipilot

Possibly a good idea. But I would imagine you might want to wait until you see what system survives, before putting a lot of man hours into the system.

ForeverFO

We have a golden opportunity, with Parker leading the show, to bring in choice US systems like non rev, jumpseating, reserve system, and many others. Since he is already familiar with them and accepts them, we MUST take this opportunity to improve QOL for everybody!

LeineLodge, any efforts you put into this would be appreciated. I am not US (The AA system sucks) so I cannot answer your questions, but hopefully someone will.

crzipilot

1. phone
2. no
3. no
4. Think 2600 active flying on the east 1400 west?! Not sure. % commute, no clue. 60+%?!
5. can't remember, but believe it's the same
6. not that I know of.

VenetianFryCook

1. Automated phone line, 1-800 number.
2. Strictly by telephone.
3. The FAs can't advance book jumpseats, they are awarded in seniority order at time of flight closeout.
4. About 5000 pilots, 4000-odd of whom are active, and I'd guess 50-60% are commuters, though I've never seen an exact figure.
5. East/West is identical. We are one airline except on the seniority list. System is first come/first served and you can't bump somebody else.
6. No such app or any means to book other than by telephone exists, though I'm surprised our resident app guru hasn't come up with something. (One of our Airbus check airmen owns and operates SafiSoft - he's the creator of WinBid and several apps that many of us find very useful.)

Errbus

I'd love to know that if I spend money on something, I can beat my fellow pilots to the Jumpseat.

Not.

This is a horrible idea. For someone who doesn't commute but infrequently needs the Jumpseat, I like knowing that were all on an equal playing field.

crzipilot

Trust me, with the competition that is out there from some cities. There will be buyers...... Just that simple.... Just like the services that were there or started popping up when they did the 12hr checkin for non-rev.......pay to have someone check you in 1 sec after the 12hr window opened.

flybywire44

Airways pilots are also expected to cancel jumpseats that won't be used so please be sure to build that into the system you may be making.

essayons

Or, allow multiple listings. Good luck.

LeineLodge

Thanks everyone for the info. I have built in the ability to cancel for the delta system. I don't see why that would be a problem with your system either...

Essayons, are you saying you'd like to be able to list for multiple jumpseats, or that it is prohibited?

R57, I got your PM. Thanks! I'm out on a trip and typing on my phone but I will reply shortly.

If any of you guys are able to help test this system out, please PM me. As a Delta guy I obviously don't have access to work out the bugs. I'll (try to) make it worth your time if you're willing to help. I don't want to bug everyone by PM. I expect it to be a fairly straightforward process to transition to your system since we already have it figured out for Delta (read I won't need much of your time )

Is there any other functionality that you guys would like to see beyond what I described above?

Thanks,
LeineLodge