So what is your point? If we double book the airlines will get mad and not let us double book. Therefore we should not double book? It sounds like this problem is either self correcting or it is not. I am willing to wait and see.

 

Busboy,

Are you a management pilot? Looking to go that direction?

 

Yah, that's me. A management wannabe.

But in the mean time, I'm just a commuter that doesn't like to read on APC about how guys are trying to "game" the system to force the company to pay them more, if a D/H flight they have no intention of taking, gets delayed or cancelled. Or, they're indiscriminately double booking flights, because that's their right(?).The repercussions of what some do, or even say, can sometimes have an adverse effect on the rest of us that have to use that same system.

 

I always discriminate when I double book flights so you may not be talking about me. But for arguments sake, tell me how my waiting to deviate up to CBA minimums affect you? Should I wait until the last minute to schedule my deviation travel?

Anyone who has spent 2 days in a buffalo motel (on their own dime) will tell you early back end deviations (and hotel canceling) are not good ideas.

 

Is it double booking if its two tickets on two different airlines? What about same airline but from (or to) a different destination? What if its the same airline to and from same destination, but different flight number? Just asking, Busboy!


Also, is it double dipping if I turn the chip around and dip from the other side after I eat the first dip?

 

YES!!

Let me ask all you double dippers something:

If it's OK to double book...Is it OK to triple book? How about quadruple book? Maybe, just book a seat on every flight to every destination from your backend D/H city, until you know exactly where you want to go. As long as you deviate and cancel all but one reservation 12 hours in advance...It should be OK, because the CBA doesn't say not to. Right?

 

"Book'em Danno"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AepyGm9Me6w

 

If I can take this thread back to original point for a moment, the MEC sent out advisories to all of us to monitor the actual operating times for our scheduled DH's because that was how the pairing was constructed and those estimated block-in times were what defined the CH for that pairing. If the pairing could or should be revised to reflect the actual times so that the CH paid to the crew member was correct, how might that be gaming the system? Now if I read it right, I think that issue was argued by the company and we lost, so there is little need to fret about it longer.

Now with regard to booking multiple airline tickets, I have little hope and faith in the Hotel Desk to give me a hotel room should something occur that might cause me to be stuck away from home. So I may indeed book a flight to cover myself if I think my operating leg won't get me to the terminal in time to catch my flight home. When we book those flights from corporate travel at the bottom of the email confirmation there are a handful of notes warning you of the cancellation policy for that particular ticket. Some I have read recently said I must cancel this ticket up to one hour before departure or risk losing the ticket price. OK fine, I have up until one hour. Maybe I'll use every minute of that time, maybe I can cancel it sooner. But some here are calling others "Gamers" because we are using the system as designed. The company is using the 4A2B system as designed (in their own minds) and they don't seem to be agonizing over the pain and suffering they are causing.

Using the system to screw someone else is wrong, whether it is an individual or a company. But using the system to get home from a trip faster or more conveniently should hardly be cause for name calling. If you really want to see how the game is played, look how many crew members are scheduled by the company to fit onto an RJ every Monday morning to start their trips that night. I'd like to see how many service failures would occur if we tested the game the company is playing every week.

 

I have been known to triple book, but you quadruple bookers are just wrong.

 

We lost the argument concerning the need for the company to rebuild a pairing that had scheduled backend D/H's that were delayed, or cancelled, if everyone was deviating.

Lately, the SIG has told us to monitor the other scenario...The company must still rebuild a pairing if the operating legs make the scheduled D/H illegal, or impossible, regardless of who's deviating. We still need to monitor that situation, and let CRS know. So far, I've found they rebuild it automatically.

I have never had my backend D/H hotel cancelled by the company, just because I deviated. If they're doing that to you guys...It's wrong and you need to let Contract Enfrcmnt know.

The "gamers" that I was referring to, are the guys that were trying to figure out a way to not deviate...Yet, they book a deviation ticket, just in case the scheduled D/H gets screwed up, hoping that the pairing would be need to be rebuilt for more pay. I think most reasonable people would call that "gaming".

Then the "double booking" argument started, in general. I guarantee you that the airlines don't like it. And I'm sure, if it becomes a big enough problem...It will get fixed. Most likely to commuter's detriment, not the company's. Keeping in mind that most non-commuters don't double book.

As far as what the company is doing with 4A2b...I believe they are attempting to steal from us, by abusing the intent of our contract. But, I'm not going to use that as justification for anything I do. Other, than help them with their overmanning, by just flying my line. Of course, that's what I've done my whole career here.