SFO-IAH-EZE "pseudo-commuting"
 

Hello!!!
Potential New joiner here, forgive my ignorance, I'm trying to manage my expectations about the future.

I will not commute, but definitely considering to go once or twice a month from SFO to IAH using any of the 3 flights available between 9:00/13:00, to then catch the IAH-EZE to see my family.

How is this sector (SFO-IAH) normally doing with commuters?
I see that it is operated by 737, 757 and 777 so different options regarding jump seats, but, many commuters on this route that will make my chances to get on board slim?
Are in general commuters going at the mentioned times? or they usually use earlier or later flights?

How about the IAH-EZE sector?
I guess no many staff asking for Jump-seat on that one... Friend told me that captains (in general), will allow you to seat in the flight deck if no seats available.
Any rule on that? Can we use the flight deck in an international flight? Are we allowed to use the bunk (long day starting from SFO?
How about loads in general? Easy flight to get in as standby? or it is like American's MIA-EZE, with 30/40 standbys in each flight.

Last but not least... priority for boarding is by seniority only? or you position plays a role? In my present company, a Captain will always have priority over and FO, an FO over a Cabin Crew and so on, regardless of seniority. How is at United?

Sorry and Thank you everyone.

Tangalanga

We left about 20 non-revs behind in EZE a couple days ago. Every seat filled with revenue pax.

Most captains will let you have the break seat (1A) for takeoff and landing and the top bunk is yours if one of the pilots wants the seat for their break.

Seniority rules - status doesn’t matter.

To clarify, seniority rules within the pilot ranks; status doesn’t matter.

Thank for answering Jdavk!

EZE-IAH full!!!!, wow!!!!

So just to clarify the "status" thing... since you said "within the pilots ranks"...

Pilots have top priority then? Or a flight attendant, gate agent or any other position in the company will have the priority if she/he is more senior?
Should I assume that basically, the only one that will bump me out of a flight is a more senior pilot, no one else? Did I get it right?

Sorry and thank you.

Tanga

Non revenue travel is generally by company hire date, regardless of position. I know some of the furloughed Continental pilots have a travel date later than their hire date, but I think that’s only a few hundred people.

There are also a limited number of vacation passes that place you in a higher status, but within that higher status it’s still based on hire date. So if you use a vacation pass, and so does another employee, hire date will determine who goes first.

Yeah, my replies weren’t very clear, sorry.

To get an open seat in the back (if any are available) during the boarding process then seniority rules within the same boarding priority (positive space non-rev vice space available non-rev, vacation passes over regular space available passes, etc.). Status, whether you’re a ramper or a pilot, doesn’t matter.

However, for a cockpit jump seat rider who is a pilot, seniority is the sole determining factor. A senior F/O would have priority over a junior Captain, for example.

I usually do EZE or GRU from IAH three or four times per month and we see pilot jump seat riders maybe 25% of the time, although the average is somewhat higher during South America’s summer season (now).

How’d you come up with this statement? I haven’t seen this…ever! Cockpit yes, bunk no. You want instant drama with the FAs, put someone in 1A.🙄 I don’t know what it is about it.
UA needs to return to at least two EZE departures a day. Having only one a day is embarrassing! How many does AA have nightly, 4-5? We should at least put a 777-300 on it.
The flt is always full, but there is usually a seat or two avail for a nonrev.

It’s happened on my flights twice in the last 30 days. FAs had no issue with it. YMMV

We don’t get -300s in IAH. If we did they would probably have to be flown by SFO or IAD crews. Lol

AA has a MIA hub that captures big demand going down to SA. UA or SL neither have hubs that can capture that same kind of demand….

Congrats on the potential hire.

Usually pilots are more senior/older before they have "family" in EZE.

huh? Why can you not funnel the same demand through ATL or IAH? What is special about MIA?

I think what you mean to say is Miami captures O&D and connections. Atlanta and Houston are far more powerful hubs from a connecting standpoint than Miami.

Maybe the yields dont support 2 flights a day? I dont think we want to copy AA too often

Not 100% true. Scabs from 1983 or 1985 have never ridden on my jumpseat. I’d take a wet behind the ears new hire over a scab, but other than that, yes, seniority rules.

Funny! Sadly that’s true. I see myself having to go to landings class because of that practice.
I shouldn’t say never happens, but have seen a pilot come up and say hi and not offered either. I even asked the Capt about it too. On a different flt it was a four man crew. Talk about disappointed when he came up.

Hi folks , question related to the travel internationally is it possible to book just for the jumpseat and get a seat at the gate? Or is it also required to book for regular SA in order to pay the taxes? TIA

It’s Miami…. Their population have heavy ties to Argentina. Because of that, AA has sways has been able to leverage that MIA O&D local market to fill their Argentina flying out of their MIA hub. Houston doesn’t have the same O&D demand to Argentina that United can leverage hence the lower amount of frequencies….There was a reason why Delta swoop in on LATAM and trying to set up shop in Miami as well….

Thank you for the answer in regards of the jump-seat IAH-EZE.
Any information about how good or bad is SFO-IAH as an standby will be highly appreciated.

Regarding the MIA thing, American, and the frequencies to Argentina, well, one thing is factual: Miami is the only city in the US where there is a big argentinian community (more than 100.000 reported in some websites). There is even the "little Buenos Aires". Plus, MIA is the most popular destinations in the US for the argentinians. 3 AA flights per day to EZE before covid...always full.
I have no idea the legal , logistical or commercial aspect of it, if UNITED is able to get some of that business or not. Can United operate that route?

What is interesting is the attached picture. NOTHING west of Dallas is serviced by ANY airline to Buenos Aires. The west-coast is totally neglected. I remember it was LAX-EZE before, by AA and also Aerolineas Argentinas many years ago... but absolutely nothing now, I wonder if that can be a good option for UNITED. Anyway, I always try to avoid making "commercial analyses or opinions", since I have no clue about many factors involved, so there is the risk of just be talking BS.

Hopefully IAH-EZE will be twice a day and using the 300.

Thanks

Tangalanga

SFO - IAH is hub to hub. The flights are not empty. Some days you might get a seat, some days you might be in a jumpseat. United loads domestically also tend to dramatically change day of.