Cost of Staff Travel on WJ

pullup · Post by **pullup** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 9:00 pm

Can anyone give me a bit of insight as to how the staff travel system works with WestJet with regards to pricing? How much does it cost to fly standby on WJ as a staff member? Can you still fly for free when in uniform?

WJ700 · Post by **WJ700** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 9:33 pm

pullup wrote:Can anyone give me a bit of insight as to how the staff travel system works with WestJet with regards to pricing? How much does it cost to fly standby on WJ as a staff member? Can you still fly for free when in uniform?

$2.50 plus taxes

The system is first come/ first server at your level (IE Buddy pass goes after employee, parents are ahead of buddies.) You can show up at the airport to check in to a maximum of 3 hours early, to a minimum of 1 hour before.

You can't travel for free in or out of uniform.

pullup · Post by **pullup** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 10:22 pm

Thanks for the reply. Is this $2.50 + Tax anywhere in the WestJet network? Also, is there an on-line system for staff to see what the availability is like on a particular flight and if there are any other staff listed on the flight ahead of them?

WJ700 · Post by **WJ700** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 6:51 am

pullup wrote:Thanks for the reply. Is this $2.50 + Tax anywhere in the WestJet network? Also, is there an on-line system for staff to see what the availability is like on a particular flight and if there are any other staff listed on the flight ahead of them?

Yes anywhere.

The online tool is called SEAT. Standby Employee Availability Tool. It works 'ok' but isn't nearly as good as the Air Canada system. You can't list online with it yet, but they are coming out with a revamped system in the near future.

Rotten Apple #1 · Post by **Rotten Apple #1** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 7:22 am

With taxes, fees, ANS charges, and AIFs, the total one way cost to the employee can vary from approx 7$ (Pearson) to approx 25$ (Calgary) for domestic travel.

Stoptheworld · Post by **Stoptheworld** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 11:53 am

The online tool is called SEAT. Standby Employee Availability Tool. It works 'ok' but isn't nearly as good as the Air Canada system. You can't list online with it yet, but they are coming out with a revamped system in the near future.

Yes, there was extensive evaluation of the Air Canada system not too long ago wasn't there

Sorry, I just couldn't resist

twinpratts · Post by **twinpratts** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 6:53 pm

The only way you can travel for free is with a carrier that has a reciprocal jumpseat agreement with us.

prop2jet · Post by **prop2jet** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 6:58 am

Deleted

BLZD1 · Post by **BLZD1** » Sat Oct 27, 2007 6:13 am

Twinpratts It is to bad Westjet does not offer the same proper jumpseat agreement that Air Canada offers them. I think thier pilot group should try harder to change that!!!

CanadaEH · Post by **CanadaEH** » Sat Oct 27, 2007 10:22 am

It is to bad Westjet does not offer the same proper jumpseat agreement that Air Canada offers them. I think thier pilot group should try harder to change that!!!

Good luck with that.

BLZD1 · Post by **BLZD1** » Sat Oct 27, 2007 11:29 am

CanadaEH,

Has there been any talk with the company about this fee. The excuse all employees pay this fee, so it would not be fair that jumpseaters do not pay the fee is wrong. All jumpseat agreements that I know of there is no fee.

No offense meant just a question!

CanadaEH · Post by **CanadaEH** » Sat Oct 27, 2007 12:28 pm

Sorry I'm not the guy to be asking. I would assume that there'd be some opposition in allowing another airlines' employees to fly for free on us. Regardless of whether its a "standard" in the industry in the interest of equality I just don't see that happening at WS... but that's just my opinion. FWIW I really don't care whether pilots fly for free on us or not; it has no effect on me.

tonysoprano · Post by **tonysoprano** » Sat Oct 27, 2007 12:54 pm

CanadaEH wrote:Sorry I'm not the guy to be asking. I would assume that there'd be some opposition in allowing another airlines' employees to fly for free on us. Regardless of whether its a "standard" in the industry in the interest of equality I just don't see that happening at WS... but that's just my opinion. FWIW I really don't care whether pilots fly for free on us or not; it has no effect on me.

Culture and industry standards speak volumes in this industry. Your choice speaks for itself.

Ali G · Post by **Ali G** » Sat Oct 27, 2007 2:02 pm

What choice?

tonysoprano · Post by **tonysoprano** » Sat Oct 27, 2007 6:45 pm

I might be wrong Ali but I think you travel free on recip agreements but you charge others to do the same on WJ. That's a choice WJ has made. Or is this just another bad rumor? I wouldn't know as I don't use these benefits.

Machiavelli · Post by **Machiavelli** » Sat Oct 27, 2007 7:29 pm

You know a lot about things that you seem to not care about.

What does it cost an Air Canada or Jazz pilot to fly on his own company's airplane? Free? I didn't think so.

It's cheaper for Air Canada and Jazz pilots to "jumpseat" on WestJet.

When you can make sense of all that, let me know. Until then, all WestJetters pay $2.50 plus fees to fly standby. So will all recip jumpseaters. And we won't limit the number of jumpseaters, unlike Air Canada and Jazz. Fair enough?

WJ700 · Post by **WJ700** » Sat Oct 27, 2007 10:54 pm

No, not fair. It's not fair to pilots at WestJet because it restricts the amount of jumpseat deals we get. We also degrade the entire premise of jumpseating because we at WestJet charge... the entire idea is to avoid tax.

So it is only fair for WestJet employees.... except pilots...

Also, keep in mind that the employee groups at other airlines don't pull the 'me too' over pilots jumpseating at their airline for free.

I know I'll continue to speak my mind with our Managment, along with many others, to get this changed in time.

I have to stop talking about this... I'm getting that facial tick and bulging vain again.

Four1oh · Post by **Four1oh** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 12:17 am

I'm with you WJ700, it's not cool, but, I have to say, I've yet to hear a complaint from an AC or Jazz guy on our plane... but at the same time they rarely say hi as they board or deplane.( at least in my experience)

tonysoprano · Post by **tonysoprano** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 5:28 am

Machiavelli wrote:You know a lot about things that you seem to not care about.

What does it cost an Air Canada or Jazz pilot to fly on his own company's airplane? Free? I didn't think so.

It's cheaper for Air Canada and Jazz pilots to "jumpseat" on WestJet.

Machiavelli.
As a matter of fact, yes it is FREE travel (domestic at least) on AC !! I only pay the taxes. If I want to travel in first class, there is a charge but I regularly get upgraded even on a normal FREE pass anyway. As far as the recip jump seat thing Mach, if you ever need a ride on AC, it's free. And if you're lucky enough you'll even get "J" class. Can I do that on WJ? Right. So tell me, how is that cheaper to "jumpseat" on WestJet oh master of all knowledge?

Four1oh.
You won't hear a complaint, especially if the guy is trying to get to work. I'm sure they are greatful none-the-less. I agree though, they should be saying thanks (even if you are charging him). They should at least be popping their head in to say hello.

Huge Hammer · Post by **Huge Hammer** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 8:04 am

No, not fair. It's not fair to pilots at WestJet because it restricts the amount of jumpseat deals we get.

With all of the great things at WS you sometimes have to take the good with the bad. The "unfair to WS pilots" comes across as whining. How many jumpseat deals are WS piloits missing out on?

tonysoprano · Post by **tonysoprano** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 8:12 am

The "unfair to WS pilots" comes across as whining.

There ya go.

Flapsforty · Post by **Flapsforty** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 9:44 am

It is what it is.

I don't see where jumpseat agreements have suffered beacuse of the 2.50 fare. Some places we get charged, some we don't. It's our choice to ride on another carrier and we have to live by their rules, we should be gratefull for even getting the opourtunity.

It would be nice for the crew to get a chance to say hello to the jumpseaters, so please do pop your head in the cockpit. The vast majority of us welcome other crews including FA's, and others. Please treat them well. I have heard countless stories of how well AC, Transat, Skyservice, etc, crews have gone the extra mile for our WS people when flying and these things only enhance our work experiences. I myself and many of our pilots try to educate our CSA's and FA's that we are all airline employees and every positive action we do with another carriers staff will only make our lives better when we go on their airline.

Cheers

Four1oh · Post by **Four1oh** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 10:18 pm

So far I've only jumpseated on Jazz, mostly I guess, is because we don't see anything bigger than an RJ here. But I always say hi, and shoot the shit for a minute before I go sit down. I figure, that even though I'm not actually sitting in the jump, I should go break the ice with these guys anyways. Usually the FO wants a reference anyways! :p

tonysoprano · Post by **tonysoprano** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 6:12 am

Usually the FO wants a reference anyways!

...you must be getting rich.

WJ700 · Post by **WJ700** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 9:18 am

Huge Hammer wrote:
No, not fair. It's not fair to pilots at WestJet because it restricts the amount of jumpseat deals we get.
With all of the great things at WS you sometimes have to take the good with the bad. The "unfair to WS pilots" comes across as whining. How many jumpseat deals are WS piloits missing out on?

Having worked directly on setting up Jumpseat deals in a previous life... I can say easily, hundreds. Plus, even when a group of pilots accepts the charge... we're still 'viewed' as degrading the purpose by many commuters at that airline. Once one airline starts to charge for jumpseating... many others will get the idea. Our deal isn't a 'true' reciprocal jumpseat anyway. The AC/Jazz/United ect. pilots are set up as a reduced interline fare; negating the need for a Captain's approval.

As much as I appreciate the hello, it's not really required in my opinion.

Cost of Staff Travel on WJ

Cost of Staff Travel on WJ

Re: Cost of Staff Travel on WJ

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