Text scheduling instead of sitting on hold?
06-17-2025 | 07:12 AM
#1
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From: Pwane
Text scheduling instead of sitting on hold?
I've heard of other airlines using a simple texting system for crew scheduling where you can text out sick, check in, report late, get deadhead info, request a release from reserve, etc. all without calling scheduling.
From what I’ve heard, it really cuts down on hold times and a lot of the back and forth frustration. I think Spirit, JetBlue, and Alaska have something like this.
Could something like this be integrated at Frontier? Even a basic version would be a big improvement over waiting on hold. Has anyone else heard about this or know if it’s something the company can implement directly or would ALPA need to push for it first?
From what I’ve heard, it really cuts down on hold times and a lot of the back and forth frustration. I think Spirit, JetBlue, and Alaska have something like this.
Could something like this be integrated at Frontier? Even a basic version would be a big improvement over waiting on hold. Has anyone else heard about this or know if it’s something the company can implement directly or would ALPA need to push for it first?
06-17-2025 | 07:23 AM
#2
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Yeah. Sure. The same way you could have things like:
Cold WXR app
SATCOM
Datalink
WSI
SIRIUS WX
WI-FI
Electronic notification
Profit sharing…..
All sorts of nice things we could have. It’s 2025. The powers to be just choose not to
Cold WXR app
SATCOM
Datalink
WSI
SIRIUS WX
WI-FI
Electronic notification
Profit sharing…..
All sorts of nice things we could have. It’s 2025. The powers to be just choose not to
06-17-2025 | 07:40 AM
#3
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 57
I've heard of other airlines using a simple texting system for crew scheduling where you can text out sick, check in, report late, get deadhead info, request a release from reserve, etc. all without calling scheduling.
From what I’ve heard, it really cuts down on hold times and a lot of the back and forth frustration. I think Spirit, JetBlue, and Alaska have something like this.
Could something like this be integrated at Frontier? Even a basic version would be a big improvement over waiting on hold. Has anyone else heard about this or know if it’s something the company can implement directly or would ALPA need to push for it first?
From what I’ve heard, it really cuts down on hold times and a lot of the back and forth frustration. I think Spirit, JetBlue, and Alaska have something like this.
Could something like this be integrated at Frontier? Even a basic version would be a big improvement over waiting on hold. Has anyone else heard about this or know if it’s something the company can implement directly or would ALPA need to push for it first?
Had management developed and paid for that app early on in our contract we probably could have gotten something done before negotiations.
Last edited by fcoolaiddrinker; 06-17-2025 at 08:00 AM.
06-17-2025 | 09:31 AM
#4
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From: Joystick Operator
We like to make things more complicated around here....
Luckily, it seems like they do want to update stuff such as going to electronic logbooks (in the process of converting) and hopefully that means more 2025 type tech instead of what we have now...
Do you know how embarrassing it is for me to have to ask ATC for updates on weather and what the storms look like when every other airline has internet weather/XM weather onboard their aircraft?
One day we will catch up. maybe.
I really miss WSI from my regional.
Luckily, it seems like they do want to update stuff such as going to electronic logbooks (in the process of converting) and hopefully that means more 2025 type tech instead of what we have now...
Do you know how embarrassing it is for me to have to ask ATC for updates on weather and what the storms look like when every other airline has internet weather/XM weather onboard their aircraft?
One day we will catch up. maybe.
I really miss WSI from my regional.
06-17-2025 | 09:33 AM
#5
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Posts: 1,984
Likes: 121
We like to make things more complicated around here....
Luckily, it seems like they do want to update stuff such as going to electronic logbooks (in the process of converting) and hopefully that means more 2025 type tech instead of what we have now...
Do you know how embarrassing it is for me to have to ask ATC for updates on weather and what the storms look like when every other airline has internet weather/XM weather onboard their aircraft?
One day we will catch up. maybe.
I really miss WSI from my regional.
Luckily, it seems like they do want to update stuff such as going to electronic logbooks (in the process of converting) and hopefully that means more 2025 type tech instead of what we have now...
Do you know how embarrassing it is for me to have to ask ATC for updates on weather and what the storms look like when every other airline has internet weather/XM weather onboard their aircraft?
One day we will catch up. maybe.
I really miss WSI from my regional.
06-17-2025 | 09:36 AM
#6
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Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,367
Likes: 106
From: Joystick Operator
Yeah I would hope I would.
Its just another thing that would make life better in certain scenarios instead of needing to constantly ask or try to follow someone.
It has been done for over 100 years without wifi, but its a safety/QOL thing that would make everything better. It is like the argument of ADSB in/out in GA aircraft vs "you dont need it, just look out the window"
Its just another thing that would make life better in certain scenarios instead of needing to constantly ask or try to follow someone.
It has been done for over 100 years without wifi, but its a safety/QOL thing that would make everything better. It is like the argument of ADSB in/out in GA aircraft vs "you dont need it, just look out the window"
06-17-2025 | 10:03 AM
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Likes: 121
Yeah I would hope I would.
Its just another thing that would make life better in certain scenarios instead of needing to constantly ask or try to follow someone.
It has been done for over 100 years without wifi, but its a safety/QOL thing that would make everything better. It is like the argument of ADSB in/out in GA aircraft vs "you dont need it, just look out the window"
Its just another thing that would make life better in certain scenarios instead of needing to constantly ask or try to follow someone.
It has been done for over 100 years without wifi, but its a safety/QOL thing that would make everything better. It is like the argument of ADSB in/out in GA aircraft vs "you dont need it, just look out the window"
06-17-2025 | 01:15 PM
#9
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From: Pwane
A simple texting system might actually help save. Fewer calls to scheduling means less time spent on the phones and maybe even fewer schedulers needed just to handle basic stuff like people calling in sick or asking to be released.
Yeah, there’s some cost to set it up, but if it makes things smoother for us and cheaper for them, it’s something we could push for with the union and maybe get something in return. Other airlines are already doing this so it’s worth a serious look.
06-17-2025 | 01:24 PM
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[QUOTE=PlumbaFlo;3921282]I get that stuff like Cold WXR, SATCOM, datalink, Sirius WX, Wi-Fi, profit sharing all costs money. But do those things really save the company anything?
Upgraded wx tools save the company money when we avoid delays, optimize routing, and even avoid damaging phenomena such as embedded hail and lightning strikes.
Wi-Fi attracts those customers who would fly F9 but for the fact we don't have wi-fi. Once they do, it boosts revenue.
Profit sharing helps retain employees and thus reduces training costs. It also incentivizes employees to help boost overall profit because we all get a slice of the proverbial pie.
Upgraded wx tools save the company money when we avoid delays, optimize routing, and even avoid damaging phenomena such as embedded hail and lightning strikes.
Wi-Fi attracts those customers who would fly F9 but for the fact we don't have wi-fi. Once they do, it boosts revenue.
Profit sharing helps retain employees and thus reduces training costs. It also incentivizes employees to help boost overall profit because we all get a slice of the proverbial pie.
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