Getting to interviews

belgiumania

belgiumania

Well-Known Member
Looking for some future advice on how to work with the non-revenue ticket travel system. Had a pretty bad experience trying to get from SEA to IND for an interview with Republic (which I didn't make) and was wondering how people manage to make it happen. Unfortunately I'm not in a position to pay for tickets myself - especially when I get 48 hour notice that I'm wanted for an interview and the only tickets left are first class - so I'm quite grateful to even be offered standby travel, but it seems to be a crapshoot (7 hours at SEA, and 6 different ticket changes just to find out I can't get on any flights).

Not looking for sympathy here, I know this job doesn't just get handed out to anyone. Just looking for help, thanks.
 
Most big airlines will positive space you - I think regional airlines don't always have this option, especially if you're flying on mainline flights for part of the trip. It's not a new problem, unfortunately - I remember getting a ticket to fly to Boston for the first job I got in the airlines, over 15 years ago (although my future employer did fly me the rest of the way up.) Flights are mega full right now everywhere so I'm sure non-revving isn't easy. Let's see...advice. Always be nice to the gate agents, this can help you out more than you think. If you don't get on a flight, don't argue with them. This is common sense but some people don't seem to realize it. The best days to travel (generally speaking) as a non-rev passenger are on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Finally, if you make a sincere efffort to make it out for an interview but you can't because of full flights, like what happened in your situation, call the person you were supposed to interview with and see if they can re-schedule. Usually they can. Finally, remember that after you do get hired, you'll be able to jump seat, making future travel to interviews much easier. The jumpseat option (riding in the cockpit because the flight was full) has probably gotten me to where I want to go at least 20 times over the years. Good luck and hang in there!
 
manniax said:
Most big airlines will positive space you - I think regional airlines don't always have this option, especially if you're flying on mainline flights for part of the trip. It's not a new problem, unfortunately - I remember getting a ticket to fly to Boston for the first job I got in the airlines, over 15 years ago (although my future employer did fly me the rest of the way up.) Flights are mega full right now everywhere so I'm sure non-revving isn't easy. Let's see...advice. Always be nice to the gate agents, this can help you out more than you think. If you don't get on a flight, don't argue with them. This is common sense but some people don't seem to realize it. The best days to travel (generally speaking) as a non-rev passenger are on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Finally, if you make a sincere efffort to make it out for an interview but you can't because of full flights, like what happened in your situation, call the person you were supposed to interview with and see if they can re-schedule. Usually they can. Finally, remember that after you do get hired, you'll be able to jump seat, making future travel to interviews much easier. The jumpseat option (riding in the cockpit because the flight was full) has probably gotten me to where I want to go at least 20 times over the years. Good luck and hang in there!
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The cockpit jumpseat is great. Though you can get burnt by either commuting pilots or gate agents and pilots that insist that dispatchers cant be in CASS and cant jumpseat.
 
Flagship_dxer said:
The cockpit jumpseat is great. Though you can get burnt by either commuting pilots or gate agents and pilots that insist that dispatchers cant be in CASS and cant jumpseat.
Click to expand...

HAHA, I hate gate agents who do that crap. "Oh dispatchers cant sit jumpseat" "Other airline employees are not allowed up there". Meanwhile Im quoting the line in their GOM that says we can.... Iv been screwed a couple times because the agent is too ignorant to see past their feet but what can you do. They just wont get my business when I need to pay for a ticket. :mad:
 
To give you some insight I went to the Republic interview years ago and had no problem being non reved up there but I had about half the flight lengh you did. Im my opinion NEVER pay for a ticket for an interview, especially if its on the airline your interviewing with lol. If they really want you they will get you to the interview. I got lucky and my current airline paid for my seat to my interview.

I would just try to reschedule the interview and keep trying as with Republic you never actually get hired for a job, you get hired to join the pool of people waiting for a spot to open so time is on your side.
 
I rarely have to jumpseat on other airlines any more, but when I have had to recently, I've had no problems. Perhaps it's because now I work for a major, I dunno? I think being in the CASS system is the main reason. Back when I worked for a small airline and I was always jumpseating on Southwest, I got to know the paragraph in their FOM that authorized dispatchers from other airlines to jumpseat - I may still have a photocopy of that page that I got from someone. Generally speaking though it wasn't a problem, but even when the gate agent is being rude about it, don't argue too much as you don't want to burn any bridges in the future...
 
I think working for a major makes it easier. They dont know many times who Colgan is but they do know who Delta is. Its funny my ID has a DCI logo on it and many type Delta into their system. Often, they find someone with my name and ID number in the Delta mainline jumpseat CASS. I discover it when they say the system says you can only ride the cabin jumpseat. One gate agent mistyped my carrier info and that said somebody's picture did indeed come up on the Delta CASS. Its funny that there might be someone with my same name and ID number in CASS at another airline!
 
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