What was Airtran thinking?

[AdlerDriver]

Would everyone feel better if they changed their policy to be:

We only take jumpseaters equal to the amount of jumpseats in the cockpit. All other pilots desiring transportation on our flight will be offered an industry discounted pass costing $25.

Don't think of it as a charged jumpseat. A couple of years back, Spirit charged me $15 for a pass to get somewhere when their jumpseat was full. I thought that was a pretty good discount.


Unlimited jumpseat is a pretty new thing. It's a privilege, not a right. UAL is just now instituting it - not sure exactly when it goes into effect. Let's say for discussion that it's not yet - why aren't you flaming UAL for turning away dudes once they fill the cockpit jumpseats? They've been doing it for years. So has Delta. I've stood at UAL gates watching a half-full aircraft push back with 1 jumpseater who got there ahead of me. At least Airtran has a second option if you're not first in line.

Not quite sure when Gen-X or whoever decided that jumpseats mean seats in the back of the aircraft.
It's nice when it happens but quit your whining or move to your domicile.

Oh, and yes, I'm a commuter.

 

[gt1900]

I think the reason the AT guys are defending their company is because some jack-ass comes on here and starts bashing a policy that while not good, is a far cry from some of the other carriers, AA, DL, and UAL untill recently! Is paying $25 for a seat in the back for commuters a chity deal, kinda, but for those of you guys who don't like it, realize that you are still paying less than what some other airlines employees pay to ride on their own airline. I agree that unlimited JS would be nice on all carriers, but until it is, why not bash the carriers that only allow the number of jumpseaters as jumpseats on the a/c. I can think of numerous times I would given my left nut to pay $25 on DL or AA to get home when the a/c was empty, instead I had to pay $40 for a hotel room so I could get home the next day. Is it a great policy, NO, is it the worst policy, NO. At least if AT has an open seat you will get it!

 

[CUZ]

Guys, Guys, Guys. Arnt we all on the same team here? Were all pilots. Most of us commute, some dont. Each company has its own policy and for the most part they work nicely. Individual pilots are not to blame for corporate policy. Obviously we each are bound by our sops and corporate policy and do our best to remain in their limits. The guys from AT have said they dont like the policy, but they work with it best they can. They are just trying to feed their families like the rest of us. Bashing them unmercifully on a public forum where you can hide your identity does nothing but contrive contempt and further degrade our profession. I'm proud of the fact my company will let as many jumpseats as their are empty seats, and I'll fill every dang one of them if I have to. I know that each of these jumpseaters is just trying to get to work, and/or trying to get home to catch his kids ball game or event. To all of the American crews that have treated me with respect and unselfishly shared your cockpit, I thank you. It is sincerely appreciated, and please know I return the favor to all of your brethren I carry up and down the east coast. Folks we are all in this together, and the sooner we realize this the sooner we can make headway for our profession.

 

[TooBad]

Goose17 Said it best "To charge these pilots to get to work is not the norm, but quickly could become the norm if it becomes commonly accepted."

As long as the AT guys/gals are working on getting it changed to reflect the changing industry standard.....I'm sure it's an uphill battle with Managment.

In the meantime, we'll carry as many AT guys/gals as we have seats (including F/A jumpseats) FREE

 

[USMC319]

That's about the stupidest thing that I have read on here in a while.

Mr ATR pilot, it is much more stupid to come on here berate someone's opinion especially when it is in accord with most pilots on this thread. I think you may be better served by saying "I disagree with you"? Didn't they teach manners at ERU? With your attitude, I hope I don't see you pass by my hiring board.

 

[Steeler Fan]

Mr ATR pilot, it is much more stupid to come on here berate someone's opinion especially when it is in accord with most pilots on this thread. I think you may be better served by saying "I disagree with you"? Didn't they teach manners at ERU? With your attitude, I hope I don't see you pass by my hiring board.

Are you implying that you'd blackball a pilot because he doesn't agree with you about AirTran's jumpseat policy or because what he typed hurt your feelings?

By the way, here it is:

"That's about the stupidest thing that I have read on here in a while."

He didn't attack YOU, he attacked your opinion. He never called YOU stupid, so if you think he's berating you, maybe you should get some thicker skin. That being said, since it looks like you served in the Marines, THANK YOU for your service to our country and good luck with your airline career.

 

[AdlerDriver]

And what have YOU done Ty to get YOUR company to change it's rediculous policy?

Yeah, that's what I thought.

And what about all those ridiculous policies out there too…. Let’s not for get those for goodness sakes!!!

 

[jehtplane]

I shouldnt even dignify this with a response but here goes. There have been quite a few times I would have gladly paid $25 to catch a ride home on Delta but instead was left at the gate while a plane left with 50+ empty seats because someone beat me to the jumpseat. So while $25 for being the second jumpseater may suck at least you have the option.

ASA takes unlimited jumpseaters......FOR FREE

 

[SoBeFlyer]

ID-90s are also $25 OW...

I don't think this guy was charged for JUMPSEATING, I think this was an ID-90 this guy paid for on AirTran, and the agent didn't make that clear. I have bought many ID-90s on AirTran and they are actually Interline Service Charge tickets that are flat rate $25 regardless of what two cities you fly between. Perhaps they have a single jumpseat policy, and everyone else outside the company (including spouses/children) are sold an Interline Service Charge Space Available ticket.

I personally figure that $25 is much cheaper than the gas I would pay to drive the same distance, so I'm way ahead when you also factor in the time saved.

This thread is a perfect example of how many pilots never seem to be happy.

 

[Ty Webb]

I think the reason the AT guys are defending their company is because some jack-ass comes on here and starts bashing a policy that while not good, is a far cry from some of the other carriers, AA, DL, and UAL untill recently!

Ding, Ding, Ding . . . . we have a winner.



.

 

[Focus]

GAS Grass or ASS, Nobody Rides For Free!!!

The next sticker for AirTrans Cockpit Door.

Sorry Guys, I couldnt resist. LOL

 

[BrokenWing]

I'll throw in my .02 here. I've JS on AirTran many times over the past 3 years. They ALWAYS treat me very well and even apologize when there's not a business class seat available. I've been charged the $25 fee once even though there have been many occassions when I wasn't the first JS. Even when that happened, the CA was very apologetic. If you have a problem with their policy, you have a couple choices: 1) Don't fly AirTran; or 2) Get your JS coordinator to try to negotiate a better deal. I'm guessing that your airline isn't offering something that AirTran doesn't feel their pilots can't live without. Bottom line here - let's not take out the airline's policy on the flight crew. And if I have to pay $25 to get to where I'm going, that's a small price to pay. Thanks for everything you've done for me AirTran.

 

[IAHERJ]

Everytime I'm flying one of the flights to a city that frequently has multiple jumpseaters I go up to the gate and put my credit card down on the gate podium. When the agent asks me what I'm doing I explain to her that I'd like to pay for any second jumpseater's fee should she feel the need to charge this person per the policy. He or she almost always hands me my card back and states that he/she will take care of anyone that comes up.

I commute on Delta each week to work. There have been many nights where I would have loved to pay 25.oo for a ride home verses another night in ATL. Instead I've whitnessed many MD-80's push with over 20 seats open on DL. I hate our policy at AirTran but we're in negotiations as we speak and I sincerely hope this gets changed as a side letter to our next contract.

IAHERJ

 

[Pedro]

I like Airtan's policy way better than DAL, CAL, and whoever doesn't take multiple jumpseaters. I've been stuck in ATL a few times, watching DAL planes pushback with seats open.

 

[FNG_that's me]

I like Airtan's policy way better than DAL, CAL, and whoever doesn't take multiple jumpseaters. I've been stuck in ATL a few times, watching DAL planes pushback with seats open.

I think that most would agree with your statement, but that doesn't validate that either policy is where the industry standard should be.

This is just another example of management trying to make the job less appetizing to those who have standards. They hope that what's left is a bunch of pilots that have to take whatever they are fed...which won't be much at this rate.