Non Rev policies after merger?

From an email from US Corp Comm:

Tue, Feb 19, 2013 at 6:13 PM
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USNewsNow: Interim Reciprocal Non-Rev Travel Program for American and US Airways Employees
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Interim Reciprocal Non-Rev Travel Program for American and US Airways Employees
Feb. 19, 2013
Are you ready to travel the world? Today we are sharing details of an interim reciprocal travel program with American Airlines, effective March 1, for active employees of mainline US Airways, PSA and Piedmont, retirees, spouses, domestic partners, registered guests/companions and eligible pass travelers according to each carrier’s existing travel programs. The interim travel agreement does not include reciprocal guest pass travel privileges.

Overview

Active employees, retirees, spouses or domestic partners and dependent children will have unlimited travel at deeply discounted zone-based fares on both carriers using electronic tickets.
Parents and registered guests/companions will have limited travel at the same deeply discounted zone-based fares.
Boarding will be done by time of check in after each respective carrier's own employees, but before OAL employees.
The interim travel agreement is restricted to travel in the economy (coach) cabin. Including First Class and Business Class travel would create complexity at airports and in back-office processes that would make us unable to implement the program quickly.
The dress code in economy (coach) cabin on both American and US Airways will continue to be casual.
Travelers can enjoy a far expanded route network, stretching to all corners of North America, plus South America, Europe, Hawaii, the Caribbean and the Far East.


Listing and Ticketing
To travel on American, you will need to purchase a zone-based electronic ticket* to travel on American as described below. You will then list for your flight through American’s ID90.com website, which is posted on the “Interline and ZED” page on Wings.

*From March 1-19, purchase electronic tickets for travel on American at any US ticket counter or the Pass Bureau at CHQ. Beginning March 20, US employees can purchase electronic tickets for travel on AA via myIDTravel.com from anywhere in the world. For more information on myIDTravel.com, visit the Travel page on Wings.

Interim Zone-based Fares
When traveling on American Airlines, US Airways employees and eligible pass travelers will fly at deeply discounted zone-based fares using electronic tickets. The same will be true for employees of American Airlines traveling on US Airways. Because of the differences between American and US Airways’ travel programs, fee-waived travel was not an option in implementing an interim reciprocal program.

Distance
(in miles) Zone Zone-based Fares Sample Markets
1-450 1 $5 BMI-ORD
451-750 2 5 ORD-TUL
751-1,600 3 8 PHX-DFW
1,601-3,200 4 15 LAX-ORD
3,201-4,080 5 35 LHR-JFK
4,081-5,000 6 35 EZE-MIA
5,001-6,100 7 35 LAX-LHR
6,101+ 8 50 ORD-PVG


Boarding Priority
Boarding priorities will be determined by time of check in for AA and US employees traveling on the other airline, meaning employees, retirees and dependents will board according to check-in time (first come, first serve). Boarding will be after each respective carrier’s employees, but before employees of other airlines.

Employees will board at the following priority:

AA employees on US Airways: SA5A
US Airways employees on AA: AAC


Don't get hung up on a 5 or an A in the boarding priorities; although different, these are equivalent rankings based on how the airlines board. Both of these enable boarding after the other airline’s active employees and retirees, but before OAL employees.

Registered Guests/Companions
American employees’ registered companions and US Airways employees’ registered guests will also be able to travel on the other carrier as part of the interim travel agreement. Travel on each other's airline will be limited to four round trip tickets per year. Electronic tickets will be purchased and issued at the same discounted zone-based fares as the employee and other eligible dependents. Registered companions and guests will list for flights and purchase tickets as is covered above in the “Listing and Ticketing” section.

Registered guests/companions join spouses, domestic partners, parents and dependent children as eligible dependents who have reciprocal travel privileges with US Airways and American Airlines.

Parents
Parents of US Airways and American Airlines employees will also have reciprocal travel on the other carrier as part of the interim travel program. Parent travel on the other airline will be limited to one ticket (one-way or round trip) per year. Electronic tickets will be issued at the same discounted zone-based fares as the employee and other eligible dependents. Parents will list for flights and purchase tickets as is covered above in the “Listing and Ticketing” section. US parents-in-law will not be eligible for travel on AA.

Dress Code
The interim dress code reflects both US Airways and American Airlines' policies, which allows casual attire in coach (economy).

Combined Travel Program
The interim reciprocal travel program will remain in place until any future changes are communicated. Development of a combined travel program is contingent on the successful close of a merger between American Airlines and US Airways, which is expected in 3Q13. How soon a combined travel program for the new American Airlines can be ready will be determined after a thorough analysis of both current programs as well as the determination of the effort to update automation.

Additional Information
The interim program specifically addresses the items above, however, other information such as unaccompanied minors, cabin pets and checked baggage policies can be found on the AA/US Interim Travel page on the travel section of Wings.
 
Some of the AA gate agents can be rather pissy about the dress code (particularly if you are listed ahead of a friend of theirs, if you know what I mean); so, when they say casual is allowed, don't interpret that as sloppy. For men, your shirt must have a collar--no T-shirts, no sweatshirts, etc. A long-sleeve sweater without a collar is allowed. Jeans are allowed in coach, but not jeans with holes in them--no matter how fashionable. A shoe with a visible tread (like running shoes) is not allowed. (Some agents overlook this since running style shoes have become so ubiquitous, but I wouldn't take the chance myself.) I'm not as familiar with the women's dress code, but I know daisy dukes are not allowed or other "extreme" fashion--be wary of scant upper body wear.

I once was denied boarding because I was wearing a long sleeve woven silk shirt with a t-shirt style neck. The shirt cost over $100 (I know. I know.), but it did not meet the dress code standard as far as that agent was concerned.
 
...those agents are in for a rude awakening.

seriously. Remember, the new big cheese is a more informal kindof guy...he is all about the bottom line, but not at the expense of pettiness. Also, managment does watch for and will look into instances of favorites at the gate.

For the most part, it seems like 90% of the time, you get on when your name on the list is called and in the order it is supposed to be called. The agents don't have time for Miss Peacock's school of fashion how to's. You have a greater chance of being left behind due to our US door closing procedures rather than a gate agents wish list. Believe me, if a gate agent has a choice between the a/c leaving late with non revs or closing the a/c door on time with empty seats, that plane will leave with empty seats. This curtousy ;-) is also extended to passengers!

I cannot stress this enough, the US crews and most employees are a pretty laid back group of people. There seems to be this very pervasive 'we've all been through hell now so let's just get through this day without alot of needless drama.'

You will have to share a picture of you in that shirt with all of us someday ;-)
 
jimntx said:
Some of the AA gate agents can be rather pissy about the dress code (particularly if you are listed ahead of a friend of theirs, if you know what I mean); so, when they say casual is allowed, don't interpret that as sloppy. For men, your shirt must have a collar--no T-shirts, no sweatshirts, etc. A long-sleeve sweater without a collar is allowed. Jeans are allowed in coach, but not jeans with holes in them--no matter how fashionable. A shoe with a visible tread (like running shoes) is not allowed. (Some agents overlook this since running style shoes have become so ubiquitous, but I wouldn't take the chance myself.) I'm not as familiar with the women's dress code, but I know daisy dukes are not allowed or other "extreme" fashion--be wary of scant upper body wear.

I once was denied boarding because I was wearing a long sleeve woven silk shirt with a t-shirt style neck. The shirt cost over $100 (I know. I know.), but it did not meet the dress code standard as far as that agent was concerned.
Click to expand...

I wonder if the Seinfeld "Fluffy Pirate Shirt" would be acceptable to the prissy AArrogant gate agent?
 
Most of the abusive dress codes at AA are from D3 travelers.
They show up at the gate in shorts, flip flops, sweats, etc...
It is the employees responsibility to inform D3'ers about the proper dress codes.
If they make a scene the employee can have his or her travel benefits suspended.
I have no D3's on my list. Not worth it for many reasons.
 
jimntx said:
Some of the AA gate agents can be rather pissy about the dress code (particularly if you are listed ahead of a friend of theirs, if you know what I mean); so, when they say casual is allowed, don't interpret that as sloppy.
Click to expand...
And I can cite a number of cases where US gate agents have manipulated priority codes to get their friends onto flights. Some people abuse their authority, no matter who they work for.
 
nycbusdriver said:
Non-rev flying is a perk that emerged in the heyday of regulated airline flying. Every airline was "guaranteed" a margin of profit by the CAB's protecting routes for particular airlines. The fares were set based on the typical load factors and this resulted in empty seats on almost every flight. Employees could non-rev easily in that environment.

Unfortunately, airline employees live in the past with this "perk." It doesn't really exist in any reliable way anymore, but here we are arguing over a perk which, at least for places that one actually cares to travel, does not exist.

Anyone who plans a vacation based on non-reving is slightly bent, IMHO. For vacations, buy a ticket on a cheap, convenient flight (there are so many) and be done with the non-rev-non-sense.
Click to expand...

Good point. Years ago, load factors were in the 60 to 70 percent range and airlines made money. I must say over the years I was only denied boarding on a PHL-MUC flight and that was due to 4 people who walked up last minute and bought tickets. Been to LIS twice, VCE twice,BCN,AMS,FCO,CDG,LIH,HNL,BRU,MXP,CUN,CZM and many domestic cities with no problems. On the Hawaii flights, sometimes my wife and I are seated apart, but what the heck, these were places I never could afford to go to on the wages Piedmont paid.
The most troublesome part of the international trips was not crossing the pond, but getting back home from the hub airport. The dash-8 weight restrictions many times caused me to fly to an alternate but outside of that, I never slept in an airport.
I was also surprized of the many employees with more seniority than me who never used the perk. All this talk and yet all any of us can do is wait for the new company policy. Considering how both airlines employees took so many cuts, It would be nice for the company not to devalue this benefit.
 
i have 15 yrs with us and i cant remember the last time i actually nonrev but i know people with high seniority who both dont fly and who do and its amazing at how much they do either one

for d3 at aa what exactly is that
 
dash8roa said:
Good point. Years ago, load factors were in the 60 to 70 percent range and airlines made money. I must say over the years I was only denied boarding on a PHL-MUC flight and that was due to 4 people who walked up last minute and bought tickets. Been to LIS twice, VCE twice,BCN,AMS,FCO,CDG,LIH,HNL,BRU,MXP,CUN,CZM and many domestic cities with no problems. On the Hawaii flights, sometimes my wife and I are seated apart, but what the heck, these were places I never could afford to go to on the wages Piedmont paid.
The most troublesome part of the international trips was not crossing the pond, but getting back home from the hub airport. The dash-8 weight restrictions many times caused me to fly to an alternate but outside of that, I never slept in an airport.
I was also surprized of the many employees with more seniority than me who never used the perk. All this talk and yet all any of us can do is wait for the new company policy. Considering how both airlines employees took so many cuts, It would be nice for the company not to devalue this benefit.
Click to expand...

I pretty much agree with what you are saying.

I am one of those senior types who don't use the "perk." When I travel alone, I jumpseat. Traveling with others, I buy a ticket.

But, the fact is, I hate airline flying as a passenger, and being a standby non-rev simply ramps up the irritation factor exponentially. Going to the airport on days off and dealing with all the peripheral crap that goes with it is just not what I would call a vacation.
And even 30+ years at US rarely puts one at the top of the list. FCFS with some sort of fair way to early check-in would be welcome, but the only way that might be truly effective is to drag oneself out of the vacation hotel at 4 am to standby for the first flight home. Otherwise, those that did standby for that early flight and got bumped would end up in front of you for the next several flights anyway, thus negating your early check-in.

Expedia....Priceline....Kayak....etc.

That's how I travel when I can bring myself to endure the "Busman's Holiday."
 
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