AA nonrev is the best in the game for sure. Delta probably has the worst with the antique software, funky interface, last minute listers (UA has some, but not as bad) and no ability to dual list for jump and cabin.

 

So does the company decide the nonrev rules or is this something the union(s) can push for? Im familiar with the AA system and it does have its advantages over said massive family hired before any of us were born. There are times its not possible to check in 24 hours prior but usualy if you have a minute to use your phone or have a friend do it for you its resolved. Even checking in late inside 24 hours is still protecting you from many last minute bookings and if you get rolled to the next flight you are now higher on the list. With AAs system you rank high at the top on any later flights if you dont get onboard the first one

Edit: also if plans change like the hub-london vs hub-paris example any agent can just switch your flight while maintaining the check in time

 

meh, I’ll still take the predictability when I’m senior to know where I stand.

CX500T has a very valid point…Even our #1 pilot, hired in 1980, has about 800 FAs and their families that can knock him and his family off the list.

we have about 20 pilots hired before 1985, FAs have about 1200.

 

So for those who may be a wee bit junior, here are some facts:

1. A family of 5 is not flying anywhere "last minute", senior or not. The planning that goes in to that is unfathomable for single/childless people. Guaranteed that family was bumped, denied on previous flights and have slid into your flight "last minute" because that is the way it rolls when previous flights go out full and non-revs roll over.

2. The JS res system can be unreliable predictor as to actual JS availability. Before COVID I would show for "reserved by other people" JS's and about 50% of the time, they were no-shows, cause just like our non-rev system, there is no penalty for not cancelling or not showing for listings.

If I were king for the year, I'd penalize for a month, people who failed to show for either listings or JS reservations as they are very easy to cancel. That would make the current system much more accurate and predictable.

 

If you were hired in 1980 you are going to fly hundreds of times to not get on a flight because someone senior bumps you and it’s the last seat.

 

Try the LAX-PPT route next summer....it COULD happen.

Good news is that the employees hired in 1980's and the ones hired in 2020's seldom have the same vacations.

 

It’s not an issue of families deciding to travel at the last minute. It’s an issue of senior families that had travel plans for weeks waiting until the very last minute to list and check in simply because they can.

They may have had flexibility over the destination city and/or flight time and they simply wait until an hour or two prior to list, simply because they know they’ll be able to bump everyone who has already been listed for 24+ hours and virtually guarantee themselves seats.

People who are rolled over from previous flights are actually treated more fairly under AA’s time of check-in system. They keep their original check-in time when they are rolled over, giving them priority on subsequent flights. This results in fewer non-revs spending entire days at the airport watching half a dozen flights depart without them.

 

Far more likely that some young kid employed for two weeks with fast internet who doesn’t mind getting up at 2am beats you to the 24 hour sign in.

 

So our standard at Delta should be that you need to spend at least 42 years here before non-reving has any practical value? An AA employee could have enjoyed more predictable non-reving for that entire first 42 years of their career.

 

No thanks. Happy to keep things as they are.

Don’t like commuting? Move to base. I’ve done this with my family several times so I don’t buy that it can’t be done. Your wife may not want to leave her home town or whatever but it’s a pain/gain calculation. It can always be done.

Don’t like our nonrev rules? Buy tix or go apply at AA, lol.

Commute from an RJ only city? Cool. I’ve done that too. The extra planning and flexibility is on you, not your employer to get to work. I’m glad you can live where you want.

The rest of this thread is just whining.

”You’ll all be senior someday”