Non-revs in Business/First

dasleben

dasleben

That's just, like, your opinion, man
We all know that airline business models are flawed in various ways, one of which being putting non-revs up in Business before revenue passengers, specifically on long international segments. I'm not picking on the non-rev JCer who just posted a picture from a Delta business class seat on Facebook, but I see this a lot: Business/First half full, complete with non-rev pilot/family, while everyone with any kind of revenue status is stuck in coach. Even though my airline doesn't fly for any big-name brand, I could walk up to the counter in uniform, ask for a ride, and freely take a business class seat; the frequent fliers in coach who are spending $2,000 on the ticket can't even get a crack at it. This simply doesn't make good business sense.

I hate to sound like an obnoxious member of Flyertalk, but I do have status on all the major carriers; I don't personally expect an upgrade because 1) I didn't pay for the ticket, and 2) we didn't negotiate business-class deadheads, but most of the people I sit next to are frequent fliers paying thousands. Why wouldn't the airline offer them first dibs over non-revs?

Just the random thought of the day! :)
 
Weeeeell, it's not that simple.

It's reciprocal. If your airline will put us in first class, we'll put you in first class if available.

If you have the "loyalty" (i.e. medallion status, etc) you may be upgraded. If you're the lowest price clicker on Orbitz, you've created a disincentive to the consumer to purchase higher fare tickets. Like if I go to Morton's Steakhouse and order a house salad as a regular customer, it would be retarded to take an 18 ounce "Delmonico" off the table of an employee using his employee discount to enjoy some much deserved R&R on his off day and plunk it on the table of me eating a house salad at the bar.

Don't be hatin', dawg! :)
 
A lot of times they do. On Airways now they sell international Envoy upgrades at the gate (and the gate agents get a cut) before every flight, trying to fill up Envoy. Only after they've tried to do that for a while will they clear any non revs in.
 
Plus, I'm of the school of thought that I have no idea why someone is sitting where they're sitting, so I don't worry about it! :)

When I deadheaded to AMS last year, in Biz Elite, I didn't have an ounce of guilt. Selfishly, I made the company far more money by flying back a full jet, than the two or three people onboard that actually gave a poop that "OMGZ there's an employee in Business Elite!" :)
 
Doug Taylor said:
Plus, I'm of the school of thought that I have no idea why someone is sitting where they're sitting, so I don't worry about it! :)

When I deadheaded to AMS last year, in Biz Elite, I didn't have an ounce of guilt. Selfishly, I made the company far more money by flying back a full jet, than the two or three people onboard that actually gave a poop that "OMGZ there's an employee in Business Elite!" :)
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Im a Gold Elite member of Evergreen's passenger club. :)
 
Doug Taylor said:
Weeeeell, it's not that simple.

It's reciprocal. If your airline will put us in first class, we'll put you in first class if available.

If you have the "loyalty" (i.e. medallion status, etc) you may be upgraded. If you're the lowest price clicker on Orbitz, you've created a disincentive to the consumer to purchase higher fare tickets. Like if I go to Morton's Steakhouse and order a house salad as a regular customer, it would be retarded to take an 18 ounce "Delmonico" off the table of an employee using his employee discount to enjoy some much deserved R&R on his off day and plunk it on the table of me eating a house salad at the bar.

Don't be hatin', dawg! :)
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No first class reciprocity where I'm at now, and none when I worked at Cape or XJT; I still can and would get first class as a jumpseater. :) Seems a little odd, no?

Airways only offers complementary upgrades based on status in North America; the rest of the majors are the same.
 
I personally would prefer the non-rev employees get first crack up front. I sit up front all of the time (delta PM upgrades, but revenue fares often when it is a full flight.)

For how often I fly, doesn't make much difference to me.
 
drunkenbeagle said:
I personally would prefer the non-rev employees get first crack up front. I sit up front all of the time (delta PM upgrades, but revenue fares often when it is a full flight.)

For how often I fly, doesn't make much difference to me.
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What's a PM upgrade? I fly all the time, never heard of it. :)
 
Platinum Medallion. That's why yo' ass is back in steerage! :)
 
Screaming_Emu said:
Very much disagree. If you want to ride biz buy it or work for a real airline...

...or a regional
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So why I can jumpseat in business on my current credentials? :)

Actually, I did get business on Delta over the holidays as a jumpseater. Sure, I enjoyed it. Of course, when I went back to work on a full fare ticket, it was back to steerage. Seems back-asswards!
 
dasleben said:
So why I can jumpseat in business on my current credentials? :)

Actually, I did get business on Delta over the holidays as a jumpseater. Sure, I enjoyed it. Of course, when I went back to work on a full fare ticket, it was back to steerage. Seems back-asswards!
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Professional courtesy.

Buy a business class ticket, deadbeat! :) :) :sarcasm:
 
dasleben said:
So why I can jumpseat in business on my current credentials? :)

Actually, I did get business on Delta over the holidays as a jumpseater. Sure, I enjoyed it. Of course, when I went back to work on a full fare ticket, it was back to steerage. Seems back-asswards!
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Because you work in the airline industry. It's one of the perks.
 
You know what I think is funny? I could list as a jumpseater and get business on a flight that I've got a paid coach ticket on. I'd lose my job if I did that (so I don't), but they'd be getting paid nothing to put me in a better seat. :)
 
MikeD said:
See what happens when the public gets the Ultra LCC mindset?
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I know I ordered a hot dog, but could you hook a brother up with some chili, a little cheddar cheese and throw in some fries? :)
 
Doug Taylor said:
I know I ordered a hot dog, but could you hook a brother up with some chili, a little cheddar cheese and throw in some fries? :)
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Naw see, the situation is "I paid $1.49 for a plain hotdog, but you just gave that guy over there the hotdog and all the fixings for free!" See what I'm saying? :)

Again, I don't expect upgrades. I don't pay for my tickets, and business class isn't in our contract. I don't even ask on international segments. But wouldn't it be better for business to take care of the people who pay your bills first?
 
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