In the fall/winter I get used six times a month. I used to get eight a month. If there is not enough flying they will use all of em.

It does blow. But like you I have lucked out and been used on my SC, however twice they called after 25+ hours of being on SC in NYC. I am now bidding to avoid this as much as possible. It should not be a seniority issue, nor a bidding game, but something that is safe and doable for locals as well as commuters.

Dragon,

Why do you think I chose "Denny Crane" as a screen name!?!::D That video, among many others, just cracks me up!!:D It was a sad, sad day when they took him off the air.:(

Denny

Dennis Miller said it best. He is what you get when a wax statue of Little Richard breaks in to grandma's closet.

Carl

Per - Aviation Week


Troubled JAL seeks government bailout

Friday September 25, 2009 var era_rc = { ERADomain: 'atwonline.firstlightera.com' };
Japan Airlines President Haruka Nishimatsu yesterday asked Seiji Maehara, Japan's new transport minister, for a government bailout, conceding that even a cash infusion from a foreign investor likely won't be enough to keep the troubled carrier afloat.
Nishimatsu declined to say how much capital JAL is seeking from the government when talking to reporters following a meeting with Maehara. The carrier, which lost ¥99 billion ($1.09 billion) in its fiscal first quarter ended June 30, received government-backed loans from the Development Bank of Japan totaling around ¥100 billion in June and is in talks with American Airlines and Delta Air Lines about one of them potentially taking a stake (ATWOnline, Sept. 21).
The Financial Times, citing sources familiar with the situation, said JAL needs another ¥100 billion to maintain operations through early 2010 and ultimately hopes to raise more than ¥225 billion in new capital and loans. It previously announced a restructuring plan cutting 14% of its workforce, or nearly 6,800 jobs, over the next three years while eliminating 50 routes, with a heavy emphasis on international reductions.
But following his meeting with the JAL president, Maehara told reporters that he's "not convinced" the company's restructuring plan will work. "I'm skeptical about the feasibility of JAL's rehabilitation plan, so at this stage I have yet to say whether the government will inject public funds in JAL," he said. He added that he will consult with Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and plans to reach a decision "as soon as possible."
He rejected the notion that the government would take over JAL or force it to break up into smaller parts. "We are not considering anything other than for JAL to rebuild on its own," he said. Nishimatsu noted that JAL may need to revise its restructuring plan, possibly making deeper cuts, to secure government help.
by Aaron Karp

I just read in the SLC daily (that's not so daily) bulletin the following:

YOUR BUDDY WON’T BE IN THE JETWAY ANY LONGER: A new policy starts Oct 1. The following is from the ACS page: Gate agent should no longer remain on the jetbridge until the aircraft has departed. In emergency situations, or at the Captain’s request, agent is required to reattach the jetbridge as quickly as possible.

Denny

Is there a Pullitzer for Stupid Policies?
 

Which agent? The one that isn't there anymore?

Or are they saying that Captains will know in advance whether their flight will require emergency handling?

One more way to cut costs, and take a little more of the old Delta away......

I always liked that about us!

If thats the case, then the beacon needs to be on and you get paid!!!

I don't think you could blow them out of there with C4. Where else can an Agent get away from the crowds and enjoy free Biscoff Cookies and Twix Bars while talking on their cell phones?

That's a little slice of Gatehouse heaven right there.

In all truthfulness, they do seem to enjoy the little respite provided by the jet pushing back. Time to admire work accomplished and time to regroup for the next one.