Originally Posted by Nordhavn

He probably meant that this is an issue only for a very small subset of FX pilots so nobody cares except the few guys DH'ing all over Tarnation.

Originally Posted by Rock

What ugleeual said. Typically the threshold for an invitation is about $50k spend on United tickets in a year. For years and years, FedEx pilots have been invited into the program if they meet or exceed that threshold. This year, it appears no FedEx pilot was invited. At a minimum, 100 qualified with an average spend of over $75k. Meanwhile, non-FedEx pilots were invited to join with even less than $50k spend.
It’s purely a business decision in both directions. United has decided it doesn’t care about the revenue generated by a contingent high spending FedEx pilots. At a minimum, roughly $7.5 million dollars in 2023. Those FedEx pilots are asking “do you really want to do that?” If United says “Yeah, F you”, the next move is on each FedEx pilot who cares. American and Delta both have similar programs for roughly the same amount of money. So far, they continue to welcome FedEx pilots into their invitation only programs. So each pilot can make their own decision on whether they continue to fly on United, or take their travel bank elsewhere.

Originally Posted by JustInFacts

My guess, and this is only a guess, is that it has to do with the discounted rate that those tickets are being purchased at. This has happened before.

Originally Posted by Freighthumper

It is still money spent. Money that we have the ability to choose to spend somewhere else. Loyalty programs work for both sides. If they won't show us the loyalty another carrier will, then some of us will certainly be making a change.

Originally Posted by Freighthumper

It is still money spent. Money that we have the ability to choose to spend somewhere else. Loyalty programs work for both sides. If they won't show us the loyalty another carrier will, then some of us will certainly be making a change.

Originally Posted by sailingfun

If you ran a company would you reward your most profitable customers or those who spent the most. They are different things.

Originally Posted by Freighthumper

It is still money spent. Money that we have the ability to choose to spend somewhere else. Loyalty programs work for both sides. If they won't show us the loyalty another carrier will, then some of us will certainly be making a change.

Originally Posted by ugleeual

How do they know you’re a FEDEX pilot?

Originally Posted by Overnitefr8

The flight attendants know. I was on a CDG deadhead last week in business class. Before we landed the FA asked how long I had in Paris and where I was going next. I thought it was a little strange of a question. So I said I'm only here for about 36 hours and going to EWR. I also told her I flew for FedEx. She said I know, most of you fly back to Memphis or another European city.

I have no distinguishing tags on my luggage or backpack saying I'm a pilot or work for Fedex. (Maybe it was the jeans and running shoes )

Originally Posted by Rock

Last month we had a mid trip deadhead on United cancel. I called the GS hotline to ask about alternatives. She said “I see your traveling with another FedEx pilot. Let me see what I can do.” I didn’t tell her I was FedEx and the other guy had no status on United.