Usairways Non Rev Travel

[Capn Lucky]

I heard that the Term Pass was here to stay. If it isn't, I'm in deep trouble. I'm on a 3 leg commute to get to work on an average day. This could get expensive. That would be about the same cost as an ID90 on Song. At least they're nice.

 

[CancelIFR1200]

It was my understanding that the change only affected retirees. A while back, I was talking to a U Captain that said the company took his pension, and then when he retired he'd have to pay segment surcharges. If you read the press release it sorta hints at that:
"We have made a few changes in the program for 2004. For those retirees with less than twenty-five years of service, we are changing from an optional term pass/service charge system to a service charge system. We have also simplified the domestic upgrade charge program, requiring a $20 fee regardless of the length of travel.

But I suppose time will tell, but it was my understanding that the term passes would still be available for active employees of U, WO, and Contracts.... Just My 2 Cents.... Steve

 

[zekes]

Listen you Colgan jokers... I'm gonna explain the official travel policy for US Airways Express Affilates for 2004.

#1. US Airways uses a term pass system for all active employees & dependants. This provides unlimited travel within the US Airways network for a small fee each year. The cost for non-wholly owned affiliates per year is $55 per person.

#2. If you don't fly much (for instance my parents never fly), then you have the option to list yourself & any dependants on a service charge basis for $20 round trip, $10 one-way.

A term pass with unlimited travel is still, and will always be an option for you pee-brains at Colgan. Why don't all you dumbasses stop your whining and focus on more productive things, like drinking beer and downloading porno.

**CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** wankers, no wonder your **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED**s always **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED**ed up!

 

[tindriver72]

Geez Zekes,

You don't have your info straight.

I read the memo issued to PSA employees.

It, as a matter of fact, does state that the term pass of old will remain in effect, with the exception of retirees prior to 25 years. It states specifically for "US Airways and US Airways Wholy owned Carriers." The memo doesn't mention a thing about contract carriers, and I believe that it is like that for a purpose. Why would you tell your employees that your going to screw some of there fellow coworkers (term used loosely).

I have also spoke with our travel co-ordinator, and she specifically said that ours has change. Then... on top of that... the presidential memo. Specifically states, and I quote...

"On a less enthusiastic topic, Airways announced this week changes to the travel program for 2004. For affiliate employees, the optional term pass/service charge system is being changed to a service charge only system. The service charge program will require a payment of $20 for OW coach domestic travel and $40 for OW coach international, plus applicable taxes and passenger/facility fees."

So, zek, if you want to sit there and "say it ain't so", please consider some of the information that the WO's weren't given. This aint flame bait. This is a legit gripe.

 

[saab340]

I know some people might find it hard to take but Airways did change the program for the contract carriers.

 

[CTS]

IT IS TRUE, $20 PER SEGMENT + TAXu

It is true. I have seen the memo from Colgan to its employees. All contract carriers for US Airways will pay a $20 per segment charge for non-rev travel plus taxes (landing fee, TSA, ....etc). Upgrades will be $20 per segment regardless of length. Colgan also states that it was not their idea and they asked US Airways not to eliminate the term pass.

This is going to cost employee commuters a lot of money. I for one, try to avoid flying US Airways. The rude flight attendants, disgruntled pilots, unmotivated gate agents, and lazy ramp crews are too much for me to handle. For my last PC check I was a must ride on the Shuttle down to LGA. A passenger next to me asked for a headset to listen to the news brief on the TV screens. The flight attendant rolled her eyes gasped and stomped off to get the head sets, she returned half way through the news brief, held the headsets in the mans face and said HERE! I must say that the US Airways employees have be screwed over numerous times and have legitimate reasons to feel the way they do. In the end, the incompetent, reckless management that put them in bankruptcy and the self serving and ruthless management that barely escaped Chapter 7 are to blame. Of course they’re still not out of the woods yet. Retirement Systems of Alabama may at some point pull the plug.

I usually jump seat on Delta where everyone one is usually much happier and competent. Plus I live in ATL, where the only way in or out is Delta or sometimes AirTran anyway.

The 5 commuters need to pull together and do two things.

1. Create a receptacle agreement so all non owned express carriers can fly each other free of charge.
2. Charge any Mainline or wholly owned US Airways employees $30 per segments plus taxes to fly our routes.

This whole thing is really frustrating. I stand at the bottom of the stairs of a Colgan B1900 and greet each passenger with a smile. Then I walk to the back of the plane and offer to hang up coats in the closet (especially when its a full flight). If its my leg I try to fly as smoothly as possible, realizing that some passengers are apprehensive about getting on the pane in the first place. The Captain or I make PA announcements about the duration of the flight, WX Etc. to comfort the passengers. When we arrive at the destination I pull all of the carry on luggage out of the closet down the bottom of the stairs and hold the coats and hand them to the passengers as they get off the plane. I even keep those plastic wings in my pocket incase there is a child that is fascinated to see a pilot. And the thank you I get from US Airways for providing quality customer service and feeding their big jets is a $20 per segment charge. I will keep doing what I do, but it makes it a lot harder.


My two cents

 

[Long-Gonner]

You contract carriers just don't get it. You don't own anything and you are not owned by anything related to USAirways. Big deal if you have a USAirways hat badge or wings, tomorrow you could go contract out to Jet Blue and then would have no hats at all, like any Mesa guys where's thiers any way. Contract carriers can't set ticketing policys on any routes you fly under the USAirways code. The only airline that could set a ticketing or non-rev travel charge is MESA, and that would only be on the flights they operate under their own code and colors out West in the desert. When you fly for a non-WO'd carrier you have to operate under certain rules and guidlines set up by the parent company who contracted your service. Part of this agreement is that USAirways sets the ticketing policy, not the contractor. MESA, CHQ, Colgan.... do not set policy. Now for the WO'd debate. USAirways Group owns five airlines: USAirways mainline, ALG, PDT, PSA, and Mid-Atlantic. It is USAirways Group that pays for our termail leases, fuel, hotels, and every other service that those 5 airlines use. Contract airlines have their own hotels and other services paid for by their respective company. The money used to pay for those services, including yours as flight crew, is paid to you by USAirways Group on a fee per depature. WO's are not paid on a fee for depature basis, never have been. If you love working for your contract carrier so much, why don't you just move to your base?

 

[ChinaClipper]

I did "get it" ....USAir SUCKED!....

It doesn't matter how, or by who, you got paid, (or how you "wear" not "where"the stupid hat) it was the worst experience of my career. At all levels, incompetence ruled. For 3 years, I saw the "service" that US provided and, overall, IT SUCKED! compared to other airlines. They treat their employees like $hit who in turn, point the love at everyone else. Nasty galley hags, rude gate agents and cranky rampers. Before I left, a regional Chief Pilot told us that US wants AC moved, PERIOD! There will be no "Customer service delays" At DCA, I was reprimanded this past fall for getting a rotten lav serviced, it was soo bad that I almost puked. US called my Reginal Chief to ask why we took a 18 min delay for a lav. They said that if enough people complaing, it might make a difference but for now, MOVE THE PLANE! That was directly from USAir Express, I repeat NO PROACTIVE CUSTOMER SERVICE! Ain't that grand? I commuted on US for 3 years and can count on ONE HAND the times I received, or even witnessed anything remotely resembling quality service. I purposely avoided traveling on them as did a suprising number of mainline US crew members, to avoid some foul-breathed bitter a$$wipe looking to make your day a crappy one. The weren't happy until you weren't happy. The day they shut down will be sad, but they are getting shellacked on the East Coast, and for a good reason. People are fed up with US and are looking for ANY reason to go elsewhere. With Southwest coming to PHL, change for the better, is in the air. Maybe the wake up call will be loud enough for US to respond, but I kinda doubt it. For the nice folks @ US, I wish them well.

 

[tindriver72]

Long-Gonner,

Why the heck would you care if we get term pass travel or not? Does it help you if we pay? Do you get a cut or something? Remember, we're all in the same boat. Why the heck would you Not want to see your US Airways Express Brothers and Sisters get treated properly?

Or are you one of those people who feels better about him/her self when others are in pain?

 

[saab340]

Long-Gonner

We have hired Usairways pilots and we our number two in the express divsion in completion factor!