International Jumpseat - Problems

[v1valarob]

This is pertaining to the UAL system.

2 weeks ago I went to Singapore. Unfortunately the IAD - NRT flight was full so I had to go IAD - SFO - NRT - SIN. I had issues however with listing at the gates for jumpseat. The first issue surprisingly was in SFO, then of course in NRT, and then in SIN coming back, and then in NRT going to IAD.

The main issue seemed to be (as they explained it to me) that they would type in the company code, it would then ask for a file # and then ask for the company code again, and it would go in circles. This was on the united side. This same issue happed in all 3 places. I know the gate agents know how to list people as a united crew member walked up and they listed him in seconds. In SFO they said it was an issue with all express carriers.

I know there must be a way to either fix it, or explain how to list me as an OMC/Jumpseater because after 30 minutes at the counter in NRT and numerous phone calls, the guy managed to do it. But I hated wasting his time like that while a line of people built up behind me.

A couple of questions

- Has anyone had this issue? And have you found a fix?

- Can 1800 UAL LIST list me as an OMC/Jumpseater? Im sure if they could do it, they would probably know exactly how to do it because they do it all the time.

I was lucky that I had UAL benefits so I was able to get back, but now those flights are going to be charged to me, and Ill have to pay imputed income Which is why I would like to get this jumpseat issue sorted out.

 

[Nick]

United is a backup plan

- Can 1800 UAL LIST list me as an OMC/Jumpseater? Im sure if they could do it, they would probably know exactly how to do it because they do it all the time.

Yes, and this would have solved all of your problems.

Just use the term "OMC" once you get a human being on the line after making grunts and telling it "no" to the question of "You said Air France, right?"

When you finally get the human they can list you as an OMC and give you a confirmation number. That confirmation number and your name in the system will make the ticket counter process much easier.

I no longer treat United Airlines flights as my primary plan to get somewhere as an off-line jumpseater. If there are several United flights that I could use, then I would be less hesitant to use them but if you're an offline OMC they may only take one per flight internationally in which case you can be stranded because someone else is already there.

Some of the captains and some of the gate agents abide by this one offline OMC rule. Others say it no longer exists. I have ridden on UAL with a friend of mine, both of us offline OMCs. Another time I had to take another airline because the captain and gate agent both said that they can only take one offline OMC. Coming back in the opposite direction, two separate captains told me, no, we can take unlimited now on international flights.

Bottom line is, it's a crapshoot as to what gate agent and what captain you encounter on that particular flight. That's why I barely even consider them as backups, because another pilot could be standing there at the gate.

If you have United non-rev benefits to use as a backup then that would change the situation.

I do appreciate how friendly they have been to me as a jumpseater. I also have never been charged a departure tax when jumpseating internationally on United.

 

[v1valarob]

Re: United is a backup plan

Yes, and this would have solved all of your problems.

Just use the term "OMC" once you get a human being on the line after making grunts and telling it "no" to the question of "You said Air France, right?"

When you finally get the human they can list you as an OMC and give you a confirmation number. That confirmation number and your name in the system will make the ticket counter process much easier.

Thanks, I appreciate the info. Ill just call next time.

 

[sorrygottarunway]

Re: United is a backup plan

Yes, and this would have solved all of your problems.

Just use the term "OMC" once you get a human being on the line after making grunts and telling it "no" to the question of "You said Air France, right?"

So they still haven't improved that voice recognition system?

 

[little_cricket]

Re: United is a backup plan

Thanks, I appreciate the info. Ill just call next time.

If you are United Express and list using the 800-UAL-LIST number you will be charged just as if you listed for regular non-rev travel. This was the case for me when I worked with a United Express company. Perhaps, Omar can verify that is still the case. Unfortunately, you have to just get an OMC pass at the gate, counter, or transfer desk... Don't know why they went in circles, it is usually fairly straight forward. Always keep your OMC card to try to get a refund if you do get charged...

 

[Nick]

Does this answer your question?

So they still haven't improved that voice recognition system?

CONTINENTAL.

You said 'Air France' right?

NO.

Please say the name of your airline.

CONTINENTAL EXPRESS.

You said 'Air France' right?

NO.

Please say the name of your airline.

EXPRESS CONTINENTAL EXPRESS.

You said 'Royal Air Maroc' right?

FOR CRYING OUT LOUD, NO.

Please say the name of your airline.

Kah-fow-pa-loo-ga-boo-powla-bot.

I'm sorry, I didn't understand. Please wait while I transfer you to an assistant.

YAHOO!!!

 

[blee256]

Nick and Sorrygottarunway,

here is the secret to the UAL listing service. When it asks for your airline......press 0. then it It will first ask if its domestic or int'l., then it will connect you to an agent. I had the same problems as you did. And then one day i just tried 0 and the star key. "0" worked. hopefully it will save you some headache and time now when you try to list.

 

[ChasenSFO]

Being a gate agent who gets paid to play with United's computer for 8 hours a day, that sounds really...odd. I've listed guys for OMC from just about everywhere from Ryan International to Southwest to Hageland Aviation. Every single time I just typed in the company's IATA code, typed in the file number, bada-boom-bada-bing theres a pretty picture of the pilot and he's now on the standby list.

Obviously being at OO, I've never listed anyone for a flight to NRT or anything, but I have listed people for flights to Canada with no issue. Honestly I've never seen the computers do anything like you described, I'll ask around see if anyone has had that problem.

But to answer your other question, nobody may list themselves as an OMC over 1-800-UAL LIST. That needs to be done at the gate where the agent can verify your ID and eligibility for the jumpseat. Besides, who the hell would even SUGGEST calling that number in the first place. Worst memories of my life before I could list myself online.

"Louisville."

"Did you say Walla Walla Washington?"

"No."

"We're sorry, but United does not serve Walla Walla, Washington."(yet they paid the guy to read it)