That being the case, why would/did 9E mgt flat out lie to their employees over something as important as everyones flight benefits? It's not enough that Pinnacle pays peanuts but to take the only other thing worth working for? Those Q-400's on order surely will make the company money?

Did 9E have to pay NWA for their pass benefits? Heck, 9E had *all* the flying benefits under them...I wouldn't imagine it would cost that much more for 9E to pay DL to greatly improve non-rev benefits, improve morale and at least be somewhat competative to retain employees? At least make Pinnacle a desired company for people wanting to come work at.

If you look at some of the other boards, 9E is not in the same league as most of the other regionals when it comes to benefits.

 

(tongue in cheek)

So your argument against my post is that management is ALWAYS honest with the workforce?

(( back to reality ))

Pass benefits are part of the contract negotiations with the larger airlines... that's why you'll see SkyWest have a different United benefit than a Trans States or Mesa employee. Typically wholly-owneds are treated just like mainline staff with slightly lower boarding priorities - ie PSA/Piedmont on USAirways.

Example: Republic gets registered guest on USAirways, yet Mesa doesn't. Its because YV has not paid the 'upcharge' to US for that privilege.

 

Not sure about other places but with SKW you can see the price of the trip by clicking on the city pairing when viewing flights. You don't have to list. It has to be on a company computer though, its never worked for me otherwise. I went to Beijing last year on United out of SFO. 1st class on a 777 there, business on a 777 back. Cost me a total of 250 bucks or so. Out of curiosity my mother priced a 1st class round trip ticket, she was quoted $17,000. Like everyone else has said, it depends on where you're at. I rarely use my DL benefits.

 

UA premium cabin international travel is very nice...no complaints there. I would still pay the upgrade fee rather than ride in coach on a long flight.

 

FWIW, I just took UAL from SFO to Frankfurt, there were 200 seats open in the back, had my own row and paid $0, it would've been cheap coming back as well, but went down to Cairo and UAL doesn't fly there. Also, I travel to Australia once every other month and it costs around $90 on United in economy, $350 if you choose first both ways, or $135 with DAL for whatever is available, although their 777 becomes weight restricted much sooner than the 747 does.

United is often cheaper if you go in economy, I think the computer system is a little easier to use and we have unlimited international flights. DAL can get expensive after you use your 6 "transoceanic" segments and last year they charged me $300 to take my surfboards back from Costa Rica, UAL has yet to charge me for any "sports equipment."

My take: I really don't think one is better than the other, it just depends on what kind of traveling you are doing. If you travel much, the $200 investment often gives you twice as many options to get home and will enable you to get to places on the globe that the other may not go.

 

Yea, that's true. However, Pinnacle only gets 3 travel days, not 6. Maybe that'll change one day...who knows..

 

Just a follow-up-
Looks like a few changes now for Pinnacle employees:
Parents now fly @ the Yield Fare, unlimited domestic/int'l, S3B on 9E and S4 all others;
Active Pinnacle employees will now have to purchase ID-95's after using the 3 t/o days. ZED's are no longer an option when flying on DL metal.

Also, Pinnacle lost all of the ID-type fares covered by Delta ZED agreements with other carriers. Pinnacle kept 'most' ZED agreements - They picked up a few and lost a few, but most noticeably all the ID-agreements are now gone.

 

I have a related question:

I work for US and am going to NRT from LAX or SFO in July on a ZED pass with either UA or DL (whichever looks most open within about a week of leaving).

Can anyone shed some light on UA's and DL's cabin upgrade policies for OAL ZED riders?

Alternatively, I'm also looking at flying to HNL on my company, and then DL from HNL to NRT as the flights are completely wide open to Tokyo from HNL (mid-July). With a wide open flight will DL upgrade ZED pax automatically? Luck of the draw? Non-rev upgrade fee?

Last year I flew UA SFOKIX and after politely inquiring as to a possible upgrade, was met with stiff and undeniably rude opposition at the thought of it by the counter agent and was told that I needed, and I quote, "a first or business class ZED ticket". Yet, co-workers were upgraded automatically on an LAXSYD trip on UA. Go figure.

Thanks.

 

If anything, DL gives you such a better picture as to what you are facing then UA does. SkyNet will only give you a decent idea as to the load. Travelnet will tell you exactly where you are on the standby list. It makes all kinds of travel easy, from you to buddies, everyone. Not to mention Delta goes a lot of places United does not go, which by my standards says DAL is worth every penny.

 

I think with the ZED fare tickets, it's harder for them to upgrade you without the proper first class ZED ticket. I've been on QANTAS flights with plenty of First seats open, but on a normal ZED ticket and have never been offered upgrades, but I haven't asked either.

Last thing, I wouldn't make judgements on July's flight availability in May, it's amazing to me how things fill up at the last minute. It's as if the majority of the public buys their tickets within weeks of travel. Must be hard to make load plans for the airline.