But what can they do for me?

Johannesburg
 

Question for the Timbo and scambo1 types on here.

I've been watching ATL-JNB-ATL loads the past few days as I'm considering going down there as a non-rev in a few weeks.

I know the flight is weight restricted often westbound but I am confident I can at least get on the flight both directions in coach (we're talking 100+ seats open, both ways).

The last few days though, all non-revs have been cleared for coach seats in both directions despite business class having seats available.

Obviously this must be some kind of CG issue with the 777LR on such a long flight.

My question is, what percentage of the time does this happen if you had to take a guess? If I'm going to have to sit in coach for 15 hours no matter what, I might as well try the day that has less business class seats open so I can start my trip earlier.

Thanks. I didn't realize this hi-tech machine had such an issue. Zero non-revs have been cleared for business class seats by the gate in the past several days.

Zero over several days smacks more of policy than pure strict operational necessity. Interested in the big foot drivers' replies.

Up front I have to say, I dont pay attention to where non-revs sit, I only care that they get on. If they are getting on, maybe the FAs shuffle them to fiirst?

There is no cg issue that I am aware of, I have never been close to a cg limit, takeoff or landing.

South Africa can induce "thrust bump" which is more power out of those awesome GEs. Its density altitude dependant. The LR is like samson on steroids.

Short answer from me,,,dunno.

And if that were the case the facts would bear it out as soon as the NDA info became public. The fact that NDA agreements continue must be either a testament to the veracity of the info given, and ALPA continuously vets it's worth, or we have had a long track record of incredibly naive, gullable people at the MEC, both fNWA and DAL :rolleyes:

We agree, but probably from different viewpoints

Carl,

And what a glorious day it was !:)

Now, can we do it again ?

I doubt it's a CG issue, I've never had a CG issue on the 777, heavy or light. What might be happening is this; At some of our outstations the ticket counter and security are a long way from the gates (Dubai) so they will "clear" the non-revs with coach seats (if they know there will be plenty) so they can hurry on through security, then get down to the gate.

Then an hour (or more) later, once everyone has checked in, the gate agent can clear some of the Coach non-revs. up to the front if there are still open seats up front. You probably won't see this on Travel Net, that may be the problem, but just to confirm, what you can do is pull up the crew list for one of the flights (today, tomorrow, what ever) and call one of the pilots and ask them about it.

I quit flying Joburg a year ago, just before World Cup, as it was getting to be too much of a PITA with the move to another hotel, the ITCZ wx, never sleeping in that turbulence, etc. Not many people realize it but Joburg's field elevation is 300 feet higher than Denver (5,500' in the air!) and it is one of our longest flights, so we are always maxed out, weight wise, more so in the winter when the wx. in ATL might require a long distance alternate. I've done over 17hrs. on that leg, with 310,000lbs. gas. We saw every inch of that long runway and then it was a slow climb...all the way to 310! (max at that wt)

The LR can -usually- handle it OK with a full load of passengers, packs off, thrust bump, etc. but if you see an ER on it, look out! Probably won't get any non-revs on that thing! You can see wich one they are putting on it by pulling up the "Flight Status" page a day in advance, and checking ship numbers. 7101-7110 are the LR's. 7001-7008 are the ER's. They have been sending the ER to NRT a lot since it's such a short flight. (was only 11:45 coming home a few days ago, I nearly stayed in back the whole flight, since that doesn't require 4 pilots! :D)

I've been flying a lot of Dubai and/or NRT-SIN or NRT-HKG lately, so I'm not up to speed on what's going on in Joburg, (I don't care if I never go back!) best to find someone who's been there recently and call them. But I seriously doubt it's a CG issue and I would bet they are getting non-revs into F/C at the gate.

What Timbo said. Haven't been to Joburg but my wife and I do a lot of int'l nonrev. I've had several times with wide open flights where they cleared us very early, as in when we checked in, and then later called us up to the podium and wrote first class seat numbers on the boarding pass in pen. Guessing that's what's happening in Joburg...unless they're just incredibly sadistic pricks sticking employees in the back for a 15 hr flight! :eek:

If you are into spray tan... . they seem to have that mastered.

I'll bet they could handle your package!