Surprised- 3 Alaska members in FC
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Programs: AS MVPG 75K, Marriott Plat
Posts: 27
Surprised- 3 Alaska members in FC
Was on a flight from Seattle to Denver tonight and there were 2 FAs and I think 1 flight crew that were all seated in FC. I fly this route often and have never even seen 1 Alaksa member fly FC. Does this mean that there weren't any MVPGs or MVPs in the back of the plane to be bumped (ie, they were all sitting in FC already)?
I just found it strange
I just found it strange
#2
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: (PHL) Cape May, NJ
Programs: MVP Gold 75K, Board Room, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold
Posts: 2,439
It happens... and it seems to be happening more often..at least in every situation ive been.
I have never had this much luck with upgrades lately, and so many empty seats after take off.
I have never had this much luck with upgrades lately, and so many empty seats after take off.
#3
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SF East Bay
Programs: 189 miles short of AS MVP, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,226
I saw a pilot for Southwest in FC one time on a flight from PDX to OAK or was it OAK to PDX? Anyway, I thought it was a classy move especially since Southwest has been a thorn in Alaska's side for quite some time.
#4
Join Date: Aug 2000
Programs: I am an AS employee, but my comments do not represent the company in any official capacity.
Posts: 4,343
Generally speaking, aviation folks look out for each other. Our companies might be engaging in cut-throat competition but a general sense of brother/sister hood pervades. Many of us are in the same unions, for example...
#5
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Seattle WA
Programs: AS 100K, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 1,828
I was surprised when a SEA-LAX flight I was on recently went out with an empty seat in F, despite quite a few AS and other airline crew members in Y
Guess there was too much going on at departure time to bother bringing one of them up?
Guess there was too much going on at departure time to bother bringing one of them up?
#6
Join Date: Jan 2008
Programs: AS MVPG, CO, NW(now DL), Flying Blue
Posts: 6,554
I think you are right when it comes down to the feet on the ground like the FAs, Pilots, and stuff. The only cut throating going on are the big wigs behind big desks with 2 or 3 secretaries
#7
Join Date: Aug 2000
Programs: I am an AS employee, but my comments do not represent the company in any official capacity.
Posts: 4,343
This camaraderie often serves the flying public in ways you might not anticipate. Maintaining good relationships (both professionally and personally) with employees of other carriers allows us to help you better.
For example, in ANC, while we try to work well with everyone, there is one particular carrier that we (as a ramp) have an extra good relationship with. Not that we don't get along with other carriers, we do, but this is a special relationship (sort of like the US-UK thing, maybe) and it really helps us help each other when you are connecting between our airlines.
Same with the folks upstairs. If they know people at the other counters, they can sometimes make a call and "call in a favor" to help you out if things have gone sideways.
For example, in ANC, while we try to work well with everyone, there is one particular carrier that we (as a ramp) have an extra good relationship with. Not that we don't get along with other carriers, we do, but this is a special relationship (sort of like the US-UK thing, maybe) and it really helps us help each other when you are connecting between our airlines.
Same with the folks upstairs. If they know people at the other counters, they can sometimes make a call and "call in a favor" to help you out if things have gone sideways.
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR S (former 75K, GLD, 1K, and S+, now an elite peon)
Posts: 23,192
Interesting. Same thing in the rental car industry, too. Favors between friends do get called in sometimes when one company oversells itself. But watch out if you're a dipstick to one rental car agent...you might find yourself on a citywide blacklist--where NO ONE will rent you a car!
#10
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: standing in line
Programs: MVPG, Marriott aluminum, Motel 6 Diamond
Posts: 16
Was on a flight from Seattle to Denver tonight and there were 2 FAs and I think 1 flight crew that were all seated in FC. I fly this route often and have never even seen 1 Alaksa member fly FC. Does this mean that there weren't any MVPGs or MVPs in the back of the plane to be bumped (ie, they were all sitting in FC already)?
I just found it strange
I just found it strange
Not all uniformed crew members are non-revenue. There are thousands of uniformed crew members in this country who travel well over 75k miles per year on revenue airline tickets. So they could have easily been MVPG upgrades, or had a last minute FC ticket purchased.
The standard practice I have observed at Alaska is the non-rev Alaska Airlines employees get the back row of coach, center seat in front of the lav.
It happens... and it seems to be happening more often..at least in every situation ive been.
So if you're not MVPG, you could find your self in the back, with uniformed crew members in FC.
If Alaska is seating non-rev employees in FS while leaving MVP/G's in coach, I would expect that to be against company policy.