Front end Deviation FDX
 

What is the current status on canceling part of a front end DH? Specifically, the pairing dh's to SFO, lays over 24 hrs then dh's to HKG. If you js to SFO, can you keep the second dh as scheduled, and if so, can you perform your final dev check in in sfo, keep your sched gnd trans in sfo and hkg, and be protected from then on to hkg?

I've read the contract, but would like some 1st hand experience. Thanks.....

1) You cannot accomplish final check in in SFO, look at your initial check in form on VIPS, it will say within 100 NM of HKG.

2) You can get to SFO however you like, but once you deviate on leg 1, you are responsible for booking the ticket (on the scheduled flight from SFO-HKG). Book the ticket before you deviate.

3) do not select leg 2 to deviate and the GT may still be waiting on the scheduled leg. It has worked for me, since they give you the option to check deviation by leg.

4) if you arrive in SFO in time to catch the scheduled leg, you are "kind of" protected, it is currently an unwritten rule from the JL era that you should be afforded the rights and protections of being on the scheduled pairing at that point. If something goes awry, scheduling may be more help than "you deviated, call us from XXX!).

On a different but related subject ...

A few months back, I had a back end deadhead, Middle East - AMS - MEM. I deviated (in VIPS) on the AMS-MEM leg and instead booked myself AMS - Home. I was VERY DISTRESSED when I showed up for my Middle East - AMS leg and found out it had been canceled (and was now sold out!).

If that is, in fact, now the "new" policy ... I didn't realize that. :eek:

1) Is this still the case on front-end deviations? Has anyone done it recently?

DH MEM-DFW, layover, DH DFW-NRT: will VIPS let you just cnx the MEM-DFW leg and you take the scheduled DH at DFW for DFW-NRT (book DFW-NRT before deviating on the 1st leg)?

2) If the front-end DHs are just a connection DH MEM-ATL, DH ATL-CDG can you do the same thing or is it all cnxed once you deviate? Is there anyway to do a partial deviation on this?

Partial deviation thread

Get on the phone with global travel and make sure the fare for the int'll leg. Is the same as accepted fare on your pairing. Then have them book the same flight and then deviate.

I take it that your layover hotel in DFW or in my case SFO is also canceled and must be paid for out of dev bank?

Mark,
Not trying to be a smart @ss but when you deviate one of these in VIPS, a big warning message pops up stating what happened to you will happen. It's been that way since at least summer 2008 (when I did it, saw the warning and thought better of it). Actually, I think this might have started with the introduction of the Fox expense system - but that's just a guess.

Thanks for your timely reply to my year old posting ...

Details, details. Obviously I only notice stuff like that if it has a big pop up warning..........:o

No layover hotel is not cancelled as long as you only select to deviate on the first leg in VIPS.

If it's just a connection (no layover), can you cancel just the first leg or does it cancel the whole thing?

Deviating on any scheduled leg cancels all scheduled legs and you are responsible for making your own reservations!

The option in VIPs to select individual legs is there for the company. It lets them know if you are utilizing any of the scheduled legs.

Read the big red box that pops up when you deviate - it explains what is going to happen

Slightly different scenario: MEM-PHL then GT to DOV. If I deviate on the MEM-PHL leg, can I keep (and meet) the scheduled GT to DOV (since it is coded as GT9999 PHL-DOV) ?? Or do they treat it like any other deadhead and cancel the GT leg too.

It is gone, that is the limo to the hotel. To keep something like that you would need a layover in PHL and GT the next day. You will need to book your own limo to Dover and pay out of your deviation bank.

What's the other guy doing? If he/she is taking the scheduled flight and GT, just arrange with them to wait for you to meet them?

The only reason I asked is because the drive time, to a different city, is so long that it counts as duty time (whereas normal, local rides don't). So I thought it might get special consideration [what was I thinking :eek:]

The other guy will probably deviate too. Sure wish I could use some of that $2K excess bank this month to buy a measly $150 ride to DOV next month.

You can do that ... because of the "large" amount of $$, maybe you should get in approved in advance by your ACP. I have done it numerous times (usually in Asia) and the ACP has never had a problem, if fact he usually approved a larger fare because he thought it would cost more than I was guessing :eek:

ACP 'special dispensation' would be nice; but, the only problem is that the 'expense' would not occur within the first three days of the next bid month, so the Fox wouldn't project an expense slide for reporting and besides that, the auditor would probably disallow it.

OK different situation.

I am deviating into HKG with no gnd trans to hotel. Does anyone know how much the contract guys charge for a ride to the hotel vs taxi vs subway?

Parklane charges $480 HK or about $62 US. The airport express to Kowloon is $90 HK (less than $12 US).

If you don't have the bank money to do Parklane, the Airport Express is easy, fast and with a free hotel shuttle that drops you off 100 feet from the hotel. I think some guys take the Airport Express all the way to Hong Kong then ride the subway back to Kowloon but I haven't done that.

Never tried a taxi, but I don't think you can beat the Airport Express for the price.

MG2

Thanks MG, bank is no factor so parklane will work. So, just walk up to the desk at the airport, or make a res?

I have taken the city bus, A21, from Tsim Sha Shui to the airport numerous times. It picks up across from the hotel and 2 corners up. I believe from the airport to the hotel, it is the same bus #, and will drop you off where I have picked it up before. Cheap and painless.

Make a [email protected]. Give them your credit card numbers and flight info and they will send you back a receipt and confirm your reservation. Then just show up and it's ops normal.

MG2

Definitely make a reso. If you don't there is a chance that they may not have a car available.....Speaking from experience. ;)

A note of caution with Parklane: I made a reservation with those guys about a year ago, gave 'em a credit card, and got a confirmation email (didn't print it, was at the in-laws house before departure). Upon showing up at the Parklane desk, they said "Who are you? No reservation for you, G.I.!" They had a car available, but wanted to run the credit card. You know what happened next. Double charge! Mistakes happen, but even after several emails and phone calls NO ONE at parklane was willing to help. Disputing the charge was a gigantic hassle, with parklane fighting all the way. I finally got it squared away, but I will never deviate with those clowns again, under any circumstances. Airport express or subway from now on, for me.

Well I have to say I've never had a problem with Parklane. I did notice, once, that the pick-up date on the receipt they sent me was incorrect (gotta make sure you're talking local date, not Z date). Emailed them back and they fixed it and all was well. Sorry it didn't work out for you. I suppose the moral to this story is to bring your receipt with you...just in case.

MG2