My predicament exactly, even if they had guys in ops for the late shift, I don't see how they'd get everyone swapped over during time allocated for flight planning. Showing up early at the start of a 18 hour FDP, thank but no thanks.

As for commuting in on days off or sticking around after a 17 hour FDP on the return leg and missing the first commuter flight home. Again, thanks but no thanks.

I know for certain that ops has my address, and that they have a FedEx account. They'll figure it out.

 

Someone asked about FedEx.

Last time we upgraded to new iPads an email was sent out saying your new iPad was available. We were able to pick an arrival date on the company website for delivery at our home. It was then sent via FedEx to arrive on that date or we could opt to have it held at the local office for pickup if we would likely not be home. Delivery had to be signed for. This is just like any other FedEx delivery.

Put old iPad in box new iPad arrived in, schedule a FedEx pickup or drop off at a FedEX location.

Enter your Apple ID in new iPad. Update apps at home or next time at work. I did mine at home, hit update all and let it sit in the counter. That and then updating Jeps probably took 45 minutes but it just sat there I didn't babysit it.

 

Thanks for the info. Wow, that would be just too easy!

As usual, seems UAL can screw up just about anything.

Maybe I am making this too much of a deal. Last time, I got mine on a flight delay in the last week of availability. Chances of the 777 operating on time are pretty small.

But, I will not be going in unpaid to get one.

The bulletin yesterday about re-initializing the Content locker, log out, then log back in, re-download....isn't that about the same thing as getting a new iPad?

Why does it take an hour to get one? Anyone know?

 

They’re probably considering the “Where’s the ‘any key’ crowd”.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Your still working for "Free" if you get it fedex'd to your home and have to do anything (your time) to get it up and running and ready for your next flight... just saying. The process you describe is really not much different (time consumption wise) as going to Ops at report time, sign off the pickup, and logon/download... doesn't take but 30 minutes or so. Bottom line, we need to get this integrated into our next contract so we don't work for free anymore... but chest thumping that "I don't work for free"... working for free at home, in the hotel, or in flight ops is the same thing... still working for free.

 

I was not debating the aspect of doing it on my time or company time. I was just describing how the iPad refresh was handled at FedEx.

It was a pretty easy process and all I really had to do was be home and enter my personal info to the iPad and hit update in the App Store for the initial install. Probably 15 minutes of my time, I'm ok with that. I also use the iPad for non work use so it is really a win for me, I've recouped my 15 minutes.

 

Not busting your chops! I was just saying that a lot of chest thumping on this iPad refresh (like the other two times) on this board and the other one... its really not a lot of time involved... but free work is happening however its done. We should have it in our contract that we get 1 hour for company provided issuance of work items (to include uniform fitting) and paid for actual time spent on CQDL...

 

Had a scheduled 2 hour sit time in the hub yesterday and stopped in flt ops to see about the new iPad. Even though there were no appointments available, there were apparently a lot of now shows. The FO and I signed in, exchanged iPads and set up our new ones during the sit time.

The process went much more smoothly than the first time. The time limiting factor was the sky-fi band width in flt ops. With maybe half dozen pilots using it, slowed to a crawl. Switched to wireless and speed picked up.

Took about 45 minutes for the basic United pilot apps to download and install.

About 5 minutes to set up email account and out the door.

There is a lot of other Apple junk pre installed that can't be deleted.

All in all, not too painful but I would not want to attempt it pre-flight as I think things can go wrong.

Still, there is no reason that the company couldn't have ordered them with our apps pre installed AFAIK.

The techs were knowledgeable and helpful.

T-Mobile reps were there selling the service and there are some pretty good deals.

YMMV

 

I ended up with a reserve trip to EWR with a layover and DH back to IAH. I left layover hotel 3 hours early to go in and swap it out. It took 2:20 to do it.

My suggestion is to have them pre-loaded with what a 737 pilot needs, 787, 756, etc. Have them fully ready with Jepp and WSI and content locker. After the pilot walks up ask him or her what fleet and then simply load a profile and an email and assign it. Wham-bam, done in 10 minutes.

The Techies in EWR said that yesterday it was taking 3:30 to 4.0 hours due to bandwidth restrictions. If you log on to the nearby United Club First Class lounge wireless it will be much faster. Likely about 2 hours.

Reportedly the Techies were just handing out the Ipads after profile loaded and getting you to re-load it all at home or at the layover. But, you'll need to leave with both Ipads and turn in the old one, once everything properly loads.

I jumped up and got it done in 2:20. But, when I left I saw pilots still hanging out who were waiting to get finished, and they were there 30 minutes ahead of me. If there were a CBT lab or something there you might be able to better use your sit time.

 

Or, the Techies could simply pre-load them. I would treat it like the loaners in flight ops. Load them up without an email profile. And then set up a profile later. The time consuming stuff could be done by folks that are being paid 10 bucks an hour.