Air Canada Aeroplan - Waitlist question

Once you're waitlisted for an "I" space on a flight that is "wide open", any one know how frequently is this being reviewed by the load controller to determine whether or not to open up more "I" spaces? Daily? A few times week? weekly? Semi-monthly? Monthly?

("Wide open" - I mean no J seat pre-assigned on the seat map, J=9, C=9, I=0 at >6 months out.)

unless it has changed drastically since I did yield managment they really don't look at it until about 3 weeks out. Then they may look at it a couple times after that then it is usually looked at daily about 5 days out. There may be exceptions to this if the computer flags something unusual or a certain threshold is reached.

unless it has changed drastically since I did yield managment they really don't look at it until about 3 weeks out. Then they may look at it a couple times after that then it is usually looked at daily about 5 days out. There may be exceptions to this if the computer flags something unusual or a certain threshold is reached.
The majority of flights run on 'Auto-Pilot' now. The rest is managed by exception. Individual flights are looked at if a report or telephone call suggests that something is amiss.

(Deleted)

Rang AC reservation this morning to check on the status. This is a recap of the conversation.

AC: No, the waitlist has not been cleared. It’s still on priority waitlist.
C801: How often is the waitlist being reviewed?
AC: I don’t know. Route controllers work only Monday to Friday, so no one will be looking at this today.
C801: Are you able to queue a message to the route controller to take a look on Monday morning?
AC: No but you may call back at any time to check.
C801: Is the flight heavily booked in business?
AC: No.

Rang AC reservation this morning to check on the status. This is a recap of the conversation.

AC: No, the waitlist has not been cleared. It’s still on priority waitlist.
C801: How often is the waitlist being reviewed?
AC: I don’t know. Route controllers work only Monday to Friday, so no one will be looking at this today.
C801: Are you able to queue a message to the route controller to take a look on Monday morning?
AC: No but you may call back at any time to check.
C801: Is the flight heavily booked in business?
AC: No.
Well then why are you worrying?

call centre mentality:
CYA=cover your .... leave it to someone else to worry about, i'll focus on what i'm here to do.

Well then why are you worrying?

call centre mentality:
CYA=cover your .... leave it to someone else to worry about, i'll focus on what i'm here to do.

I have not said that I was worry. There are many alternatives and AC is not the only airline flying.

In this one experience, I do not appear to find “I” waitlist to clear as quickly and easily as some other fellow FT’s as suggested in previous other threads.

Secondly, once you’re waitlisted, the process appears to go into a black hole. No body seems to know what will happen next. At least, the AC RR agent was not able to tell me when this question was specifically asked. Will the waitlist be reviewed daily, once a week, semi-monthly or monthly?

In the past with CP before the merger with AC (and is also the practice of many other airlines), the RR agent was able to send a message to the controller. This is of course done with judgement and discretion, e.g., it has been waitlisted for a while, the flight does not appear to be heavily booked and the passenger is a higher tier FF member. AC does not offer this customer service although the call would have come in on the Elite telephone number, and the PNR would show that the passenger is an E. At a minimum, the AC RR agent should be able to explain the process. I am not asking for the waitlist to be confirmed, but an explanation of the process and assurance that the appropriate person has reviewed it, or when that person will review it. If it cannot be cleared, it cannot be cleared, at least I know to consider alternate plans.

Keeping customers informed with timely and accurate information is the key to running a successful business.

IIn the past with CP before the merger with AC (and is also the practice of many other airlines), the RR agent was able to send a message to the controller. This is of course done with judgement and discretion, e.g., it has been waitlisted for a while, the flight does not appear to be heavily booked and the passenger is a higher tier FF member. AC does not offer this customer service although the call would have come in on the Elite telephone number, and the PNR would show that the passenger is an E.

CP had a program called QMAX that you could send a file to and it would confirm or leave it on waitlist. If you were EP or gold it would send it to a route controller for review if it could not confirm you.

Clipper.. what type of ticket are you holding (Y/M fare basis)? If yes, may be depending on the route, may be you can switch to another flight with I class seats.

Also, if you're already holding a Y/M fare ticket, you may also consider buying a C fare ticket now and get that J class seat. Sometimes, C fares are cheaper than Y/M.

If you're holding a ticket not Y or M then you will have to wait till the upgrade window opens (depending on status).

Clipper.. what type of ticket are you holding (Y/M fare basis)? If yes, may be depending on the route, may be you can switch to another flight with I class seats.

Also, if you're already holding a Y/M fare ticket, you may also consider buying a C fare ticket now and get that J class seat. Sometimes, C fares are cheaper than Y/M.

If you're holding a ticket not Y or M then you will have to wait till the upgrade window opens (depending on status).

I = 1 appears to be the default for flights on this route. As there are 2 of us travelling, one must be waitlisted. I have been monitoring the “I” availability of this route since January and posted my observation on another earlier thread.

I have bought a M fare ticket. I am way o/s the upgrade window (>6 months). I usually plan ahead and don’t like playing aerolotto. No C fare on this route. J will be my last resort if the waitlist does not clear. I can upgrade to a higher fare with M without penalty/fee.

Many thanks for your tips.

The fact you are not mentioning the route or flight leaves me with some suspicion as to your real intent here. The AC lurkers will look in on the particular flight if its mentioned here and possibly even give you an answer.

The fact you are not mentioning the route or flight leaves me with some suspicion as to your real intent here. The AC lurkers will look in on the particular flight if its mentioned here and possibly even give you an answer.

The AC lurkers can send me a PM if they want, identifying themselves.

We are talking about both the waitlist process and availability.

The policy I have been told ranges from "we don't do that" to "we only do it for Es and SEs" to "sure I'd be happy to help you". Constantly inconstant.