Dave Fitzgerald

Be careful what you wish for.

I've been so tired I don't care where I sleep, just need it now.

John Carr

Maybe we need to merge with a reimbursement/expense managing company?

Andy

Exactly. Hotels desk not answering? That's not a problem; it's an opportunity.
... although I use most expensive hotels whose loyalty programs I'm enrolled in. Then I get points and stay credits.

Where lesser people find problems, there's always opportunity.

That's funny!

ReadOnly7

2 hours away? That’s definitely not JUST the company’s problem. It “fooks” up my NON-PAID rest period. I literally had a trip last month where the hotel desk changed our hotel but didn’t change the info on the pairing. Getting that changed was a total CLUSTER……because the hotel desk is in Mumbai now or some other spot where labor is dirt cheap. It sure as F wasn’t in Willis Tower.

worstpilotever

why get it changed? Go to the hotel listed, if they don’t have a reservation plop down the cc for a room or go to a hotel that has room. Why pilots make this so difficult is beyond me.

ReadOnly7

well….it’s actually the company and the transportation companies that make it difficult. The transportation company dropped us off at the Sheraton in Phoenix…..and they had our rooms ready. BUT…..our pairing said “Westin”. And the transportation guy said the pickup was at the WESTIN. I called their dispatch company…and, as I already knew, they won’t change $HIT unless United Hotel Desk sends them a fax.
I’m sure your next BRILLIANT advice is to just let all that happen..,,and have the operation fall on its face the next day. As tempting as that would be for the sake of making a point…..the point would never be realized by anybody except me and my flying partner…..who would spend the rest of the day playing catch-up and lose even MORE unpaid rest time. So yeah….the ability to contact our hotel desk and actually speak to a person who isn’t reading a script off a cue card……is important. Instead……I’m pretty sure we are actually now speaking to the call center from Slumdog Millionaire. Come fly the Chaiwalla Skies……

as a follow-up to the story…..I got the “Hotel Desk” to change the van to come pick us up at the Sheraton. Next day….van didn’t show. Called the transport company…they were at the WESTIN…..because the communication that needed to happen….didn’t happen. These people aren’t capable of acting outside of the script and what your responses to the script prompt them to do. Having an app to do this stuff ourselves would be more useful than these people. But……I bet they’re cheap. And that’s really what it all comes down to. Step over the dollar to save that dime.

worstpilotever

did you fill out a report so the company knows what happened?
the hotel desk is in ord. They are hiring more staff, mostly because of the reports that people file showing they are understaffed.

Jetlikespeed

careful, legacy airline and alaska should not be In the same sentence, alaska is excellent regional airline to be at

threeighteen

United buys Alaska and now they suddenly have more regional lift that would integrate easily with the rest of their system. They also get back into SEA and pick up ANC as well. Getting it past the DOJ is the only sketchy part. They'd have to divest a lot of Alaska's other west coast assets and even then.... I think AA has a better chance of getting an Alaska merger past the DOJ, but securing financing to make that purchase could be tricky for them.

dead meat

Interesting. As a newbie, I've yet to experience any hotel issues. In your scenario, is there a max dollar amount that you are allowed to spend? My wife was just in NYC for a conference. The conference ended and she decided to spend a couple more days in the city. The non-conference rate was $800/night. Would you be questioned for booking a Hilton or Marriott if that was the going rate?

Edit: I read the rest of the thread and it sounds like $800 for a Hilton or Marriott would be fine if you guys are starting with Ritz, Four Seasons, etc. Lol