Just wanted to say thanks to the Mesa crew operating the 10:05 am ATL-HSV yesterday on Christmas eve. I know the E-145 can be tricky on weight/balance on short flights, but they were able to get me on in order to be with my g/f and her family for Christmas, and got another pilot on as well, and we even arrived early.

Best of luck in your negotiations! We'll have a new administration soon that should be more labor-friendly and then you can remind J.O. of the old adage "payback is a b*tch" (if he's even still around then)

Merry Christmas everyone and try to pull yourselves away from the forum for occasional breaks with family, food, football, beer, etc.

 

Don't hold your breath! They are Politicians, lets not forget.......

 

While we hope for a better political environment, I think it is safe to say that the Bush legacy will live on in our lives... the rulings of the federal judges that let our companies walk all over us are now matters of record, and set PRECEDENT. Precedent is something all judges will look to in future cases, and will need to have a darn good reason to go against. Its a lot like a coach's challenge in football... it takes indisputable evidence to overturn a call. Not to mention, it is going to take years before a labor friendly administration (republican or democrat) will get around to appointing new federal judges into the areas where we need them.

In the mean time, lets watch each others backs. Let's be like the Mesa crew in this case and help our fellow pilots get home and improve their QOL. If I had been flying on Christmas, i might have even let a GoJetter ride jumpseat in the lav!

 

"How many kids do we have again? Recount, we need 5 more."

Its the best feeling getting someone on and you never know when you'll need that favor yourself. Whats best is when the gate agents close out flights 15 min early and you open it back up for a jumpseat.

 

I had a gate agent telling me that the flight was closed because it was a "quick turn and the flight needed to leave." Dec. 22nd 8 p.m. after a three hour delay because of a late aircraft with about 5 stand-bys waiting to get on. I was not happy and I asked her if she spoke to the captain about taking me as a jumpseater. She said she spoke to ops and the flight was weight restricted so no one else could get on. I told her I wanted to talk to the captain and she said the flight was leaving. I was sitting there watching the rampers continue to load bags, the flight was obviously not leaving anytime soon. So apparently a ramper overheard and went and talked to the captain for me and the captain had a talk with the gate agent and got me and two other people on board to get home for christmas. Thanks so much to that Mesa captain as well IAD-DTW.

 

I just hate it when agents act like they get a pay raise if they leave non-revs behind. I continually remind my trainees that they have benefits as well and they should treat others as they would want to be treated themselves. They should think of their significant other, or mom/dad/kids, or even buddy passes. On behalf of the other power tripping, egotistical agents, i apologize. Unfortunately, non-revs have little say at that moment but I have and urge you guys to contact the pass bureau or even your CP. Have them shoot e-mails to the appropriate parties.

 

Mesa get a bad rep but their guys are all pretty good when it come to getting a jumpseater on.