United Mainline flight benefits
 

Do you mainline United pilots have to pay to ride in biz or first while non-revving?

Delta Biz Elite is complimentary space avail to Delta and Delta Connection pilots however I recently found that United Express pilots have to pay $$ for biz/first.. so I really was just curious if it's the same for the mainline pilots.

Yes we pay to ride in first or biz. There is an option to list fee waived, but you go to the bottom of the standby list if you do so. We do get an allotment of vacation passes which are fee waived and higher travel priority. Welcome to "Nickel and Dime Airlines"

There are no open seats in first. They will upgrade anyone in the back before an employee. Normally, there is an upgrade list of around 50 people per flight. First class now has no class. Sweat suits, t-shirts, flip-flops, feet on the bulkhead, etc. I miss the good ole days.

Domestically maybe, but I can count on two hands now how many times I have been in First, not Business Class but First class on the Sydney runs over the past 3 years. I have to say it is a bummer the upgrade list for domestic first is always massive, but as long as this is not happening on international flights every single day then I would think that is something to be happy about.

Gotta keep those frequent fliers happy by giving them something for 'free'. I agree First Class isn't what it use to be. All because of the above.

Whatever. I rode 1st class home (SEA-BDL), on a paid ticket, (AA) Sun-Mon. We were through 15,000' by the time the flight attendant asked us if we wanted a drink. I was dressed in khakis and a polo. There wasn't even dinner on the flight. The good ole' days were when you had the pay real $ to fly. Flying is taken for granted and it's pretty much a necessity in today's society. Let the discount carriers carry discount pax. If we want real First Class and real service in Coach, YOU HAVE TO PAY $$ TO FLY!!!! The American Joe goes to Orbitz and clicks on the lowest four leg fare. If the majors want to play that game then you get sh!t service and product. The American Joe sucks at air travel and complains like a 1st grader at the drop of a hat.

Both of you are right..
You also have a good chance on P.S flights (LAX-JFK OR JFK-SFO)

Benefits are you have unlimited access to the boarding area to watch flight after flight of full airplanes leave the airport.

AA/AE you pay in First and Coach, with no annual fee, but per segment leg fees. After 5years at AMR coach is free, and I think 25 years First is free.

Great synopsis!

Empty seats to Sydney doesn't help my family and I get to San Fran. In front or back!

Very true, but you do buy back up zeds when traveling with family right? Southwest and Virgin always seem to have space. I know its not ideal, but you and i both know the benefits sometimes really are far from beneficial.