Hi there,
Is anyone able to give some idea of how many seats may be blocked for payload optimization on the SYD-LAX flights? (as per the Travelnet message saying flights are regularly payload optimized)
I'm trying to determine a "safe" number of open seats to make getting on the flight as certain as possible.
It looks like the available seat numbers can decrease quite a lot close to departure, so something else to consider?
Any tips navigating the standby process out of SYD?
Bonus question - is the train the best option between the city and the airport?
Thank you!!!

That's not really how PO works. There's no way to tell beforehand how it will impact loads, and can change at the last minute. Every flight is different.

If you want to ensure you'll get on, be a Delta mainline pilot and list for the jumpseat.

ok, I’ll be the stupid question pilot, since I’ve never done it and now I’m curious.

is it even legal/are you able to list for the jumpseat on a flight that’s a 4 person crew?

4-man crew SYD-LAX. You can’t list for the jumpseat. (They’re occupied). When you go on MiCrew it says 0 of 0 jumpseats available for booking.

I thought you could still list at the gate? Obviously, you would have to flow back, but it would be at a higher priority than a NonRev? Am I remembering that wrong?

I don't think it's a higher priority..and it doesn't get around the payload optimization. I could be wrong though.

JSA'S are at the absolute bottom of the standby priority list. And as an added bonus, they are supposed to be boarded from the back to front (something rarely practiced by agents, fortunately.)

Jumpseaters are the lowest priority for boarding after all non revs if they can't sit in the cockpit. I have non rev privledges on another airline. There would often be multiple jumpseaters on my normal commute route. I would non rev instead of jumpseat for the higher priority even though there was a fee. Even a basic zed fare from my ID90 puts you ahead of jumpseaters who don't get the cockpit.

Well, the discussion on Intl jumpseating is helpful and a good reminder that on the longer 4 crew flights it is not an option.
However - on the off chance you are a DL mainline pilot with jumpseat privileges - that wouldn't be the best option if traveling with your spouse.
Hence my original question - trying to figure out just how limiting the Payload Optimization could be on SYD-LAX.
If there are 100 seats available, with 10 standbys ahead of you - would that be a safe bet, what about 70 seats avilable, or 50??
Fuel and cargo can only take a certain amount of the payload avail before bulking out or exceeding limits. surely we're not leaving with 50 or a 100 seats open on this route?? (I do realize we could bump cargo to take the revenue pax - but still...)
Any SYD-LAX regulars got ideas?
Thanks

who knows, HND had to leave 40+ people the other week. The joys on non-rev travel. I would imagine you’re safe with 100 open seats. Just have a plan B and C