THIS is exactly what we need. Our rules were written in a time before assigned seating was even a thought and the results are predictable. As for the present, I don't blame SWAPA for the company being obstinate. I do blame them for allowing very loose language to make it into a TA. That's over and done, though. What I am concerned about now is the end result. Pilots should be put in premium seats if they are available, should be first in line for upgrade, and should never be forced to be in a middle. Those are easy changes to make and will prevent fatigue calls and down line disruptions. I cannot imagine doing a transcon in a middle and then flying a leg. Absolutely not. There used to be language about deadheading on a flight over 2 hours in the jumpseat back when they could force us to ride in it. It's the same issue....it's impossible to get any sort of "downtime" in the middle with Mr Manspread on one side and Mrs. Hamhock on the other. I will 100 percent call fatigued, but many would not, and that concerns me.

 

As for the future, SWA is 100 percent headed towards a true premium cabin. Any LOA signed needs language to future proof that eventuality.

 

Dont forget when he actually did go fly. He was getting around 300tfp. People with any type of a moral fiber dont stay at swapull long. They see it for what it is and get out. SAIEW. This clown show isn’t any different than 1.0. It’s 1.1.

 

Here’s how it plays out. If your seat isn’t compliant with our contract, you approach the gate agent, explain the situation and then they “should” fix the glitch. If they don’t you say thank you, take a seat and call our FODM (flight ops duty mgr/UA pilot).

Generally (99%) the phone will ring at the gate, they gate agent gives you evil looks, then calls you up to the gate to give you your contractually compliant seat. If the FODM can’t fix the glitch, then you can refuse the DH.

Also there has to be an available FC seat at the time of booking or you will be booked in premium plus and will be the first person on the upgrade list.

 

maybe after the next BOD meeting when they have to fly in a middle seat to get to will they think about it. But the NC etc do not fly nor probably DH or commute so I don't think they care.
Never Mind i fogot they can do zoom meetings now so it probably won't get a second look.

 

Like he said. But it does happen, and almost happened to me. Captain was pretty adamant I should refuse to board, I was on probation, so was happy they found me a better seat in time. I am not aware of a requirement to call the FODM, but I am new.......

 

That would be uncomfortable if you were on probation, but if it’s in the contract it’s in the contract.

I love that UAL has that provision.

 

That is truly a great provision. It really isn’t taking away revenue from the company “at the time of booking”. Most passengers now pay up for those seats. That’s the big difference from years past.

If the company decides to stone wall this, they will pay come summer time. This goes beyond flight ops. Commercial side of the house is probably the ones making noise about this. Their is nothing SWAPA can do about it contractually but their are other provisions to make sure your fit to fly.

I’ll be honest, last bargaining cycle, when SEP came out, my top 5/6 were scope, retirement, disability, training Scheduling, commutability on some 4 days and cashing out all of sick or a portion of it. Never thought displacements, DH’s, APL, density of trips and trip construction(1/3, 2/2, etc)would be an issue. As the company changes the network with more connections and creating more banks, day of the week flying, it creates problems. This current CBA was not designed to tackle all these changes. CBA is over 350 pages. Guess we’ll need to add more.

 

On the other hand, we get 50 pct add pay for any DH that is flown in a middle economy seat. When trips get broken up and a DH gets added at the last minute, a lot of guys I've flown with will drool over the add pay and be disappointed when a compliant seat suddenly opens up.

 

To make it clear for others, we can only be booked in economy plus or better with a preference of aisle, window, then middle, providing that the plane has economy plus and first (single class 50 seaters are an exception). If at the time of booking the only seat available is in basic economy, they’ll either move a pax out of economy plus or book us on a different flight. First class travel to/from our residence to recurrent training is also nice. Long story short, if the seat isn’t contractually compliant, we don’t have to board the flight.