Originally Posted by
epiphani
Generally in the case of a full/overbooked flight I expect to be near the top of the op-up priority. That's all. I certainly didn't feel entitled to it in this case. I'd have been grumpy had I tried to eup and failed - but I didn't.
But you answered my question. I wasn't aware pilots were given J seats by default.
Deadheading Flight Ops Crews are entitled to J so that they arrive rested to fly. For example, out of YYC, most of the FRA/LHR/NRT departures have the crews deadhead in from YVR. I know that if I am on a nine hour flight I would want my crew to be ready for the flight. A 1.5hr flight in the middle Y seat isn't fun for anyone but obviously the company and the union agree that their Flight Ops Crews should fly in J to get to/from work assignments. Try to think of it as any other company who makes a conscious decision to buy full fare J tickets for their employees to fly; this is AC's way.