Question for Port Users and Commuters

neophyte · Post by **neophyte** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 7:13 am

Greetings,

I was wondering if the Port Users and Commuters would share their experiences thus far. In particular: What port do you utilize, how many pairings/month do you find yourself getting out of that port, when you don't get a port pairing has commuting been an issue for you?

I understand that the YVR port is quite efficient, are the YYZ, YHZ ports catching up?

Thanks for the responses,

Neophyte

moe · Post by **moe** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 12:30 pm

get half my flying out of yvr port. bid late check in, early check out for yyc flying. rarely have to overnight in yyc (maybe once every 3 mos. or for recurrent training).

studmuffin · Post by **studmuffin** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 1:43 pm

I do the HZ commute/port. Last winter was pretty good for the most part, but the summer wasn't as good. I've heard that this winter should at least as good as last winter, possibly better.

good luck

pullup · Post by **pullup** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 10:43 pm

How is the YLW port working out? Is it very efficient?

KAG · Post by **KAG** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 12:50 am

I just signed up for the YYZ port for OCT, my OCT shed has me doing one 3 day port pairing and 2 other YYC pairings that start and finish with deadheads to/from YYC. So really 3 of 4 pairings I don't need to leave YYZ.
For this month (SEPT) I bid nothing but YYZ layovers and got nothing but YYZ layovers doing the red eye. So I fly in to YYC, and start 1 hour later. I finish and catch the last flight out. I have yet to have to stay in YYC, although I am for 3 days to visit. It's not perfect, but it's pretty damn good!!!

twinpratts · Post by **twinpratts** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 7:13 am

Remember as a commuter, Mainline & Jazz jumpseats are also an option (if available).

moe · Post by **moe** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 3:41 pm

recip jumpseat works great, used it quite a few times with no probs. bumped up to J a few times too.

mattski52 · Post by **mattski52** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 11:49 am

I was curious about that....have others been put up in J class while using Jazz/AC jump??? I have been on a few times, mostly RJ/Dash with no J class....but the other day I went on the Embraer and J class was empty, but yet no love. I thought maybe our D2 priority was not high enough to be upgraded. It really doesn't matter....its a great deal for us as is.

bcflyer · Post by **bcflyer** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 10:36 am

Don't feel to bad about not getting upgraded. I work at Jazz and rarely get upgraded. The agents were sent a memo that basically forbid them from upgrading anyone if there was a seat available in the back. Upgrades do still happen but not as regularly as they used to.

KAG · Post by **KAG** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 11:40 pm

from what I hear, the J class upgrade for employees is being done away with unless you drop a C1 pass. Good for the guests, but will hurt the moral at AC/JAzz.

flyinphil · Post by **flyinphil** » Sat Sep 29, 2007 1:37 am

KAG wrote: Good for the guests, but will hurt the moral at AC/JAzz.

Just a technical point here but one that is lost on a number of employees. These people were not invited to fly. They ponied up the cash to do so. That is what makes the airline work and makes them (the customer) a far more important upgrade than an employee.

bcflyer · Post by **bcflyer** » Sat Sep 29, 2007 3:51 pm

flyinphil wrote:
KAG wrote: Good for the guests, but will hurt the moral at AC/JAzz.
Just a technical point here but one that is lost on a number of employees. These people were not invited to fly. They ponied up the cash to do so. That is what makes the airline work and makes them (the customer) a far more important upgrade than an employee.

An employee would NEVER be put in J class in front of a paying passenger looking to upgrade so your comments are kinda moot. If there is a seat open in the front that no one has paid for then why not upgrade your own employees? Doesn't cost the company any more than if they were travelling in the back and as Kag mentioned it would do wonders for the moral.

neophyte · Post by **neophyte** » Sat Sep 29, 2007 5:32 pm

OR why not upgrade a paying guest as a thanks for choosing your airline? Phil has it right. When I get asked if I want window or aisle, I respond with, I am happy as long as I have a seat!

flyinphil · Post by **flyinphil** » Sat Sep 29, 2007 5:46 pm

bcflyer wrote:
flyinphil wrote:
KAG wrote: Good for the guests, but will hurt the moral at AC/JAzz.
Just a technical point here but one that is lost on a number of employees. These people were not invited to fly. They ponied up the cash to do so. That is what makes the airline work and makes them (the customer) a far more important upgrade than an employee.
An employee would NEVER be put in J class in front of a paying passenger looking to upgrade so your comments are kinda moot.

Wooooaaah there. Maybe not at WS but I have been refused the use of upgrade certificates several times on AC, only to stroll through J class passing several people in funny uniforms. They sure looked like AC pilots to me!

Oh, an I had Super Elite status at the time.

KAG · Post by **KAG** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 12:10 am

BCflyer, I think there is some confussion. From what I heard there about to do away with employee upgrades and send customers up front instead. Employees will now be back of the bus, unless you use a c1 pass. Just what I heard, but I trust the source. See if it happens I guess.

F-16 · Post by **F-16** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 1:08 am

flyinphil,

It's in the pilot contract that Captain's get J class for D/H's period. Ahead of all people trying to use upgrade certificates, etc. If there were F/O's, perhaps the seats were given away by the time you tried to use the certificate? I'm not sure. I do know that Air Canada gives those things out like Candy.

KAG,

That's old news. Long story behind it all (or so the rumour goes).

flyinphil · Post by **flyinphil** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 8:54 am

That is my point F-16, What other businesses supply the same service to customers and employees but favor the employee over the paying customer. It defies logic but then again, it was negotiated by the union>>

F-16 · Post by **F-16** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 9:08 am

Flyingphil,

I understand what you are saying. One thing I will add, in the same way that people choose to fly j-class so they can relax, get more done, and/or be more refreshed upon arrival, from a safety point of view, I don't think it's wrong to have flight crew up in J. Especially, If they are going to deadhead for 4 hours and then fly 2-3 legs - they definitely need to be fresh.

This part of the contract has been around for decades, but again I do understand your view, because I am on both sides.

Cheers.

Rotten Apple #1 · Post by **Rotten Apple #1** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 11:09 am

It's in the pilot contract that Captain's get J class for D/H's period.

As Peter Mansbridge could attest.

F-16 · Post by **F-16** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 5:05 pm

Jonny,

Can't say I really liked him anyway...

tonysoprano · Post by **tonysoprano** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 6:35 pm

flyinphil wrote:That is my point F-16, What other businesses supply the same service to customers and employees but favor the employee over the paying customer. It defies logic but then again, it was negotiated by the union>>

Can't really compare this one. But consider this, when Nortel puts their employees up in J class is that not the same? AC has employees that need to get to work on company time. How does that differ? And by the way, this was a NEGOTIATED part of the contract which AC agreed and signed to. Captains will get J class when deadheading, FOs space available. As to J class when commuting, it's entirely up to the agent. In uniform, J class is almost a sure thing unless it is full or the agent is not hip to the "culture". Most AC agents will upgrade you. It's a long time tradition amongst airlines the world over. We help each other out!! If more WJetters used the flt deck recip agreement, I would say most would get J when available. Makes a big difference when commuting across the country. One thing I would suggest is to try and say hello to the flt deck boys once on the airplane (saying thanks for filling out the paperwork goes a long way). They will usually ask if you got J. If you didn't they can change it, space avail of course. Happy commuting.

flyinphil · Post by **flyinphil** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 8:19 pm

I think you misunderstand my point Tony. I am not a commuter nor an airline employee. If my company was Nortel as per your example, the difference is huge. They pay to be there. D/H employees do not. Yes, it is a long standing tradition and is one that many customers complain about.

Upgrade certificates are earnend through loyalty but that loyalty is a one way street when it comes to their use.

Steve Baker · Post by **Steve Baker** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 8:47 pm

Phil, Think of the captain as an executive of the company, that the company is flying somewhere. Many corporations have a policy of sending personnel of a certain station in business class. Through negotiations and tradition, airline captains have attained that status.

As a pilot who has jump seated on AC, I have been upgraded on occasion and was always very appreciative. By no means do I expect this treatment, and I am just happy to have any seat. By the same token, if an AC pilot were jump seating on a flight I was operating, I would try and get the best available seat for him. It is quid pro quo and professional courtesy.

tonysoprano · Post by **tonysoprano** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 3:42 am

flyinphil wrote:I think you misunderstand my point Tony. I am not a commuter nor an airline employee. If my company was Nortel as per your example, the difference is huge. They pay to be there. D/H employees do not. Yes, it is a long standing tradition and is one that many customers complain about.

Upgrade certificates are earnend through loyalty but that loyalty is a one way street when it comes to their use.

Phil.
When Nortel (or anyone else) pays for a J class seat, they get it. Period. If you're looking for an upgrade at your option and don't get it, it depends on the circumstance. AC upgrades people almost all the time. I'm a commuter myself and witness this all the time. In fact, I find it slows the boarding process and the agents sometimes have to refuse in order to get the flt out on time. If you feel you have a ligitimate case, write it up and send it in. Cheers.

flyinphil · Post by **flyinphil** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 6:13 am

Steve/Tony, I think we could agree to disagree on this issue for a long time. No criticism of AC intended. They are a fine airline by North American standards.

Now, supposing as a regular customer of Starbucks, they gave you free coffee certificates but would never let you use them claiming the free coffee was gone. How would you feel seeing their employees sipping their morning Vente's knowing they didn't pay for them? That was my point.

Now, back to Porting and Commuting... sorry for the Hijack!

Question for Port Users and Commuters

Question for Port Users and Commuters

yo

hi

f-16