Crew members experience inappropriate GT cancellations as they try to maximize deviation savings and this is the best you can come up with?

I think we should demand they stop accepted fares and GT cancellation games.

 

OK, this is sad that I have to admit that I don't know how to call the Company when I'm overseas. For example, if I'm standing in the pax terminal in (int'l city) with no wifi (no Skype) but my iPhone is a dual band phone so I CAN get a cellular signal and I DON'T have an international calling plan (because iMessage and Skype work fine for me in the hotel), how do I call CRS/Duty Officer at (901) 224-xxxx to tell them my scheduled DH just cancelled/left with out me, etc. (Or I've been "detained" by immigration or customs.) Or, one step further, if I need to call the ramp or hotel in a foreign city, here's the number for the Howard Plaza (02) 2700-xxxx. I'm clueless.

I guess it's better to be dumb when it doesn't matter than dumb when it counts. Sorry about the thread drift.

MG2

 

After having similar problems I signed up for the international plan with ATT. I think it is $5.99 a month. Turn your phone on just about anywhere there is a signal and you are ready to make a call. No charges as long as you have the data roaming off and do not make any calls.

On a long international trip I was turning my phone on and the Capt asked me about it. He said he did not think he needed it. later on the trip we were in the car in a ton of friday traffic heading to CDG ops and halfway there the capt. realized he left his passport in the safe. I handed him my phone, after a few calls to the hotel and ops to coordinate the recovery of his passport he was assured it would be delivered to him. It showed up 10 min before push. He said to me I guess I am getting the international plan! Nice safety net when you need it.

 

You do not need an international plan with AT&T to make and receive calls while overseas. Your phone will ring and you can make calls. The per minute charge is lower with the international plan.

I let my phone ring all the time, check caller ID, then find a hotspot and return the call on Skye. If it is home, I send a text and ask if it is important and need to talk now or if there can be a delay.

I have no international plan.

 

I have a similar situation with VIPS. Sometime between when I showed for the trip and the trip ended NOCAT was removed from the remarks. I was wondering why it was taking them almost 30 days to process my Expense report. Turns out they were waiting for a POR. When one never showed they simply denied my NOCAT. I am in the middle of showing them the bidpack with NOCAT clearly displayed. I would be more positive going up against the IRS.

 

... I handed him my phone...

You fell for this? Second oldest Captain trick in the book, after "I don't have any change for the tip"

 

I know, but I felt sorry for him when he pulled out his jitterbug phone to try and make the call!

 

Couple of suggestions:

1. If you've cleared security, and have access to the business/first class lounge, most of them have Wi-Fi & will give you the password.

2. Next, in many terminals if outside security, you can buy a card at a store/kiosk for airport's Wi-Fi access (think I did this in DUB once). It taught me to bring a foldable USB headset so I could Skype from my laptop in a public place (pre-iPhone). These stores will also sell you a straight phone card (use company card) and direct you to a phone. Cheaper than # 3 below.

3. Last resort--find a "pay" phone that takes credit cards, use your company card, and call Crew Control. Did this in CDG on a Christmas Day snowstorm when Air France cancelled their whole schedule, AND Skype was overloaded & couldn't connect. Total of 3 calls, about 15 minutes, about $150 expensed on the next expense report. Crew Control absolute champs. Rebuilt pairing, hotel for the night, and new DH the next day.

Any other ideas out there?

 

I think where I'm really trying to go with this question, is how to actually use the phone itself. It's the country codes and whatever else you have to punch in to call back to the US, or to even call a ramp number in the country where you presently are located. If the Company's going to buy the call, then I'm not to worried about saving the last nickel...I just want to make the call!

I appreciate the other suggestions, BTW.

MG2

 

Most cell phones are smarter than us, just put the + in front of the number you have (+1901-xxx-xxxx).