Hotel Desk Issues during IROPS
 

UAL MEC Update, January 23, 2020

THEY CAN FIX KCM

KCM/Unpredictable Screening
This week, the TSA formally implemented an Operational Directive allowing front-of-the-line access to TSA Precheck when selected for Unpredictable Screening (USP) as well as non-front-of-the-line privileges at TSA Precheck access to non-uniformed crewmembers. This was a policy that had previously been announced, but as expected, TSA was inconsistent in its implementation throughout the system. The formalization of this policy, as well as other added improvements, came as a direct result of the tremendous volume of PDRs filed at United. In many reports we have seen, contract (non-TSA) employees have played a role in sending crews to incorrect screening locations when selected for USP.

BUT THEY REFUSE TO FIX THE HOTEL DESK

This past weekend, due to diversions and delays caused by winter storms, the Hotel Desk became overwhelmed due to inadequate staffing. Once again, pilots caught up in irregular operations have been subjected to hotel room unavailability accompanied by a lack of support from the Company characterized by telephone holding times in excess of an hour. This is not a new issue, but rather a repeat gripe that our managers have failed to rectify.
Our pilots plan for weather contingencies on every flight, yet the Network Operations Center can't seem to plan ahead for these same contingencies in order to properly man Hotel Desk staff during forecasted inclement weather. This systemic failure occurs every year, and we remind you that there is no requirement to wait on hold for the Hotel Desk to provide accommodations.

“....we remind you that there is no requirement to wait on hold for the Hotel Desk to provide accommodations.”

+1. Fix it yourself, collect the points.....really very simple.

Truly it is that easy, buy your own transportation and room. When you’re rested and legal, go back to work. I’ve never heard of anyone being denied expenses. +1 on collect the points.

I’ve done it multiple times and never waited more than two days to get my money back, almost always under 24 hours.

When reimbursed for buying hotel rooms, is that money penalized in any way such as taxes, union dues, insurance, etc?

Youre kidding right?

I don’t expense very much. Dry cleaning once the stack gets big enough is about it. I really haven’t kept up with how it’s posted, so that’s why I asked.

No, it’s not income, it’s reimbursement for an actual business expense. You’ll get reimbursed the bottom line dollar amount that you submit....just like dry cleaning.

Thanks. I really don’t expense that much. I don’t eat airplane food, so I never really know if my meal is missing, I’ve never expensed a room, and the EKG expense is once a year and I usually get busy and forget to submit it. I’m also guilty of not nitpicking my paycheck. I guess that’s why I haven’t kept a logbook in years, I used to log for pay and found out that I spent too much time looking for too few mistakes. The ones that I found really weren’t worth the effort.