moondog

You can't be serious. That "low-level non-rev" actually works for the airline, "F when available" is a clearly defined job benefit. If you want to fly in F, you can pay up.

nancypants

LINDEGR

Not sure why the defenders of the status quo get sooooo worked up about this. I am not debating the fact that is how it currently works and what someone at AA apparently thinks is the right business decision. However, I thought one of the points of FlyerTalk was indeed TO DEBATE and allow the layman to propose solutions to better the business model/flyting experience of elites/etc. etc. If I have stumbled upon the Politburo-version of FlyerTalk in error, I apologize for expressing opinions.

Also, for what its worth, if AA smartened up and changed the ExPlat program to provide for upgrades via J to F cabin rolls on three class cabins, I am not sure that means re-negotiation with the unions is required. Employees would still be eligible for any open seat in the highest class cabin but it would not likely be in F anymore!

formeraa

When I worked for AA, I always tried to be as courteous and nice as possible. I realized that the paying customers were our customers. I gave up a meal choice (even though I was the last to order) in F and J to make sure a paying customer got their first choice (after meal orders were taken and I overheard the passenger discussing it -- I proactively went to the galley and told the FA to offer them what I had selected before bringing it out to me). The ability to have a seat in F or J was very rare, but I was appreciative on the rare occasions when it happened (I don't know what the current AA policy is, but I had to pay an extra fee back in the day to fly in F or J and it varied by destination -- up to $200 each way on the logest flights IIRC).

But the point is that it was a BENEFIT and it was given after all the seats were filled with paying passengers. Of course, back in the day, load factors were far less..so it was much easier to get an empty seats outside of the peak travel seasons (summer, Christmas, Thanksgiving, etc.).

richarddd

Speaking of getting sooooo worked up, have you read the first post in this thread?

nancypants

Antarius

Next, you have discount J payers whining about upgrades and then full fare about discount. Heck, AA could go the SQ model where no one gets .... beyond what they paid for.

Unless airlines set a flat rate for all seats and stick to it, someone will always feel like they overpaid or under received.

trooper

And describing staff as "random, low level non revs" whose presence in F is "galling" is of course the epitome of calm debate..... sure Wilbur.

FAA1996

I actually feel the same pain as the OP, but when I pay for F or J and see the seat next to me taken by an upgraded elite. I then must put up with the arrogance, rudeness and condescension of AA elites for a 1 to 16 hour flight. It's especially frustrating when I have to put up with them rearranging all the premium cabin overhead bins to fit the carry ins they dragged up from their seat in the back.

SFTNYC

Deleted - duplicate

Antarius

Fixed it for you.

LINDEGR

I may certainly be biased but not sure what is not calm about either of my terms that you quoted. Are "entry-level employee" and "upsetting" more Zen/to your liking?

D3Kingg

Even if American were to stop non rev travel in First class you would still be seated in economy class when business class is full no ? How would you plan on getting American to give you a free first class seat ? What policy would you propose ?

LINDEGR

While I appreciate the hyperbole, please see my post above. My proposal was to free-up a coach seat for the non-rev via a cabin roll- move an elite from the (presumably) full J cabin to F, an elite in Y to J and the non-rev gets the Y seat. I never requested a "free" F seat for "me." Very simple, really, but people's emotions run high on this topic.

Beyond that, I also advocated again consideration of cabin rolls from J to F to free up seats in J when Ex Plat are otherwise sitting in coach awaiting upgrades via an instrument of their choosing. A win win for all, in my opinion. Yes, I understand the mythical F class purchaser will now buy J and pray for a cabin roll F and destroy AA's revenue model.....

MiamiAirport Formerly NY George

GAs need to get the flight out on time. Cabin rolls are a necessary part of their job from time to time. However what is being proposed is that the GAs would have to perform cabin rolls, and in the case of a 3 class plane double cabin rolls on a regular basis. This would result in flights going out late. And how far do should AA take this. Should AA roll a GLD out of a non MCE seat into a MCE seat and put the non rev in the non MCE seat This is part of the employees' benefit package. The fact that people somehow have an issue with this boggles my imagination. All those in favor of fares going up by $20 or so in lieu of AA rescinding travel benefits to employees raise their hand.