Attention United Pilots
#1
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Mar 2006
Position: 717 FO
Posts: 391
Attention United Pilots
Just received this through company email. Jumpseat wars are no bueno.
From Jumpseat Coordinator
Important Letter to United Pilots
June 30, 2008
To United Airlines pilots:
On behalf of the Jumpseat Committees representing all of the carriers flying as United Express, welcome aboard. Unfortunately, this letter has been provided to you because you will likely be affected by a difficult decision, reluctantly arrived at by the United Express (UAX) pilots. Over the last couple of years, United Airlines (UAL) has made changes to the gate jumpseating and priority software programs. Several of these changes have adversely affected not only the UAX pilots, but also the UAL pilots, as well. There is widespread confusion and frustration amongst many of the pilots regarding how the gate computer sorts priorities for jumpseat requests. Based upon the UAX agreement tables, jumpseat requests on UAX flights are supposed to be processed like this:
1. On their own flights, UAX pilots are sorted first, in order of their seniority.
2. UAL pilots and “other” UAX pilots are sorted next, in order of their check-in.
3. Non UAL/UAX pilots (“offline pilots”) are then sorted, in order of their check-in.
HOWEVER, the current software being used by UAL does NOT sort jumpseat requests in this order. Instead, all jumpseat requests are sorted as if the flight were a mainline UAL flight. This means that UAX pilots are being bumped by UAL pilots on their own UAX flights. The computer software also sorts some UAX pilots as if they were offline pilots, even on their own flights. Despite nine (9) months of repeated appeals to UAL management, and despite the fact that a minor software change would solve this issue (simply change the computers to recognize the carriers’ flight number) UAX carriers have recently been told that UAL will not fix this blatant degradation of our jumpseat agreements because to do so would not generate revenue for UAL. This position is untenable.
We have now sent a detailed letter to UALPA’s MEC, addressing these very important issues, and we have provided UALPA with specific examples of where UAL has made non-revenue generating changes to the gate software. The UAX pilots have respectfully requested that the gate jumpseat software be fixed within thirty (30) days. Regrettably, if UAL does not fix the jumpseat software within thirty (30) days, UAX pilots will be left with no other choice but to deny all UAL pilots any requests for the jumpseat, regardless of aircraft tail-colors beginning 08/31/08.
On behalf of all UAX pilots, we sincerely hope that we will not be forced to deny any UAL pilot a ride, as we are mindful of the fact that many UAL pilots will be negatively impacted. To that end, we are simply asking that you immediately call or email your MEC to let them know how important your UAX commute is, and to help us all obtain a fair and just resolution. Thank you for your professionalism and active cooperation.
Signed, the pilots of:
Chautauqua Airlines
Colgan Airlines
Go Jets Airlines
Mesa Air Group
Shuttle America
SkyWest Airlines
Important Letter to United Pilots
June 30, 2008
To United Airlines pilots:
On behalf of the Jumpseat Committees representing all of the carriers flying as United Express, welcome aboard. Unfortunately, this letter has been provided to you because you will likely be affected by a difficult decision, reluctantly arrived at by the United Express (UAX) pilots. Over the last couple of years, United Airlines (UAL) has made changes to the gate jumpseating and priority software programs. Several of these changes have adversely affected not only the UAX pilots, but also the UAL pilots, as well. There is widespread confusion and frustration amongst many of the pilots regarding how the gate computer sorts priorities for jumpseat requests. Based upon the UAX agreement tables, jumpseat requests on UAX flights are supposed to be processed like this:
1. On their own flights, UAX pilots are sorted first, in order of their seniority.
2. UAL pilots and “other” UAX pilots are sorted next, in order of their check-in.
3. Non UAL/UAX pilots (“offline pilots”) are then sorted, in order of their check-in.
HOWEVER, the current software being used by UAL does NOT sort jumpseat requests in this order. Instead, all jumpseat requests are sorted as if the flight were a mainline UAL flight. This means that UAX pilots are being bumped by UAL pilots on their own UAX flights. The computer software also sorts some UAX pilots as if they were offline pilots, even on their own flights. Despite nine (9) months of repeated appeals to UAL management, and despite the fact that a minor software change would solve this issue (simply change the computers to recognize the carriers’ flight number) UAX carriers have recently been told that UAL will not fix this blatant degradation of our jumpseat agreements because to do so would not generate revenue for UAL. This position is untenable.
We have now sent a detailed letter to UALPA’s MEC, addressing these very important issues, and we have provided UALPA with specific examples of where UAL has made non-revenue generating changes to the gate software. The UAX pilots have respectfully requested that the gate jumpseat software be fixed within thirty (30) days. Regrettably, if UAL does not fix the jumpseat software within thirty (30) days, UAX pilots will be left with no other choice but to deny all UAL pilots any requests for the jumpseat, regardless of aircraft tail-colors beginning 08/31/08.
On behalf of all UAX pilots, we sincerely hope that we will not be forced to deny any UAL pilot a ride, as we are mindful of the fact that many UAL pilots will be negatively impacted. To that end, we are simply asking that you immediately call or email your MEC to let them know how important your UAX commute is, and to help us all obtain a fair and just resolution. Thank you for your professionalism and active cooperation.
Signed, the pilots of:
Chautauqua Airlines
Colgan Airlines
Go Jets Airlines
Mesa Air Group
Shuttle America
SkyWest Airlines
#2
Banned
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: A-320
Posts: 6,929
I wonder how many will actually follow this....why should United Pilots have to pay for the inadequacy of the computer system in place for jumpseating? However rules are rules and jumpseating priority is jumpseating priority....................another reason they should not have given up on scope
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2006
Position: MD-11 Captain
Posts: 1,395
#4
Jumpseats should never be used as a tool in political or company disputes. Especially pitting one pilot group against another! I can understand the UA Express pilots' frustration, but this act is very childish, IMO.
#5
Line Holder
Joined APC: Nov 2006
Posts: 31
UAALPA was the one that made the policy change to give their pilots priority over UAX pilots on UAX not UA management.
UAX Jumpseat coordinators have worked for over a year to reverse this policy, including memo to gate agents and Captains checking the gate. And, still UAX pilots are being left at the gate while UAL pilots aren't. UAL MEC continues to fail to even address the issue. So as long as UAALPA refuses to work with the UAX carriers this is something that they have brought upon themselves.
That is why this letter was sent out.
#6
On Reserve
Joined APC: May 2008
Posts: 16
Whatta bunch a chumps!
Since the union can't get a damn thing done with management they need to resort to fighting amongst themselves?
Here is an idea, how about keeping the mainline flying on UAX routes and parking RJs instead of putting 950 UAL guys on the street.
Here is an idea, how about keeping the mainline flying on UAX routes and parking RJs instead of putting 950 UAL guys on the street.
#9
Banned
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: A-320
Posts: 6,929
IF ONLY MAINLINE GUYS DIDNT GIVE UP SCOPE
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