Staff travel out of SIN. My JS gets binned when flight changes to training. Requested crew seat, ground staff say they need to check with ISM who is in charge of releasing crewseats. ISM apparently says No.............. 2 Hrs later same thing, full flight, request crewseat as JS taken, ground staff check with ISM, apparently this one also says no.

Made it onto 3rd flight, seats available. Glad I don't commute out of there.

I was under the impression that when airport staff check with the ISM about using a crew seat it is just out of politeness, I don't think it is up to the ISM who uses a spare crew seat, it is up to ground staff and strict seniority based of those requesting them. Similar to asking if its ok to use a spare J class seat whilst on duty, not up to the ISM but asked out of being polite as they work in the cabin. Maybe some ground staff think it is policy as that is what they have been told to do.

Flyinryan76:

Worry about getting a job with CX as a cadet first, then worry about if you will have the money to commute, you wont! The question you should be asking is not if it is possible or how long can you leave before a flight back to HKG and a duty as this will not be the main problem. As a cadet you wont have the money to have a place in HKG, TPE and commute, it is a crazy idea and wont work unless you have loads of money already. Maybe ask in the wannabes forum as this stuff has been covered in the thread about the cadet course there but is obviously not getting through.

getting through?

getting through?

Sloppy Joe -

I agree, focus first on getting the job and then the rest will follow. However, I need to know the circumstances before I agree to accept the job if offered. Having an understanding of how commuting works will help me make this decision. I'm aware of exactly what a cadet makes as well as housing prices in Taiwan and it is quite possible to afford this on the salary. Prices in Taiwan can be significantly cheaper than Hong Kong provided you don't live in TPE. And please, don't assume to know my situation. As others have pointed out, we all have our own circumstances and situations. I'm just looking for more information about commuting specifically!

Ummm FFS thread creep Ref! Staff travel Joy Stories is what the Lo Ban asked for.

Being held at check in until 18 mins before departure last week on a flight that showed +50 on Intracx and 82 available on Lopac. Ran to gate 60 something and deflected abuse from the gate agent who said I was late to find Lopac was right, lots of seats.

A serious abuse of staff authority from a relatively junior grade in the airline. Because he could...

And before you management types go on about "Staff Travel is a priveledge not a contractural right", try managing an airline in a real country with normal labor laws. Because you couldn't.

Moosp,
Hear hear!!:ok:

Flyinryan76,

Yes, it is quite possible to commute from TPE. I know an SFO who has done this comfortably for some time.

However, you will have to pay the market rate on occasion in HKG to get a Hotel room before or after a flight or for Reserve/Day trips. The Headland is often fully booked and the Regal won't give a discount if nearly full.

Now, can I suggest you start your own thread if you want information ibstead of confusing another one (even if it is trite).:)

hahah... I actually considered that. But when you look at every other thread on the fragrant harbour forum concerning CX all of them have virtually nothing to do with the stated subject by about 3 or pages into it.

Thanks for the help though... it is very much appreciated!

Probably because people ask totally unrelated questions rather than starting another thread :rolleyes:

Paxing up from Hong Kong to Beijing with Cathay to pick up my aircraft (corporate jet) and fly back. We arrived 2.5 hours early to check in. Cathay told us our visas weren't valid (crew visas) since we weren't arriving as crew of the aircraft we were on. We knew this could be tricky since we needed an Air China handler to meet us in Beijing to explain to customs. It had never been a problem before, only a few minutes delay.

After 2.5 hours of frantic phone calls and faxes of documents we ended up checking in with Dragonair (sister company of Cathay) who couldn't understand what all the fuss was about. We haven't flown with Cathay since.

go and get ur own visa u cheapo!

Staff Travel story?

Have access to CX J class PRI26 staff travel.

Bought for the second time Emirates J class seats from Bangkok back to HK.

Its not worth dealing with the counter to experience an inferior product.

If you've not done it, get on the EK 380.. It will make you embarrassed at what Swire is trying to pass off as premium travel.

Flyinryan76,

OMG man, if you're not joking, then you're pretty clueless. Why would the company have any sympathy for you if you don't show up for your flight and leave 300 passengers without a pilot? :ugh: Yes, I'd call your situation troublesome and serious. Always leave yourself a backup or more, and be prepared to pay whatever it costs to get to work on time if you mess it up.

...like one of our guys who shelled out for a FULL FARE CONCORDE seat JFK-LHR to "get to work"!

How does this work?

Checked in for a flight that was overbooked in economy, 5+ in F and 6 in J. Asked if I would accept economy if nothing else. said yes so was given an economy boarding pass and told that if space available they will give me a J seat at the gate. Asked how that works if you are overbooked in economy, told its because marco polo higher tier members need to be accommodated for. Early morning so thought not much of it. Whilst having a coffee realized that if I get an economy seat it means they have upgraded someone and downgraded me! Went back and said in fact no I won't accept an economy seat as will wait for the next flight. Lots of computer input later told that I can still go to gate with economy boarding pass and refuse the seat if it is not J and get listed for the later one. Also got a new stamp that said id seat at gate put on boarding pass. Initially was it just to get me out of the way and no effort would be made to give me the seat I have a ticket for? How can I get an economy seat on a flight overbooked in economy but open in business and first?

I thought the policy was to NOT upgrade pax at the expense of ID staff.

With the latest from our Employee Service Manager, Bobless Nippy, is it a backlash from this thread……….Knowing him it most likely is.:rolleyes:

Trying to justify his position I suppose. Can’t be accountable so attack the staff. Typical CX Management.:D:D

So if I list for a flight, all the seats are full and I request a crew seat at the last minute, how is Bob Nipperess going to get a meal out to the aircraft for me??????

Oh wait a second, the meals have been loaded as surplus whether I get a seat or not.:ok:

If I am at staff travel and don’t get a boarding card until 20 minutes before a flight, how does my meal get loaded? Already loaded.:ugh:

Maybe he should invoke a policy of waiting to see if staff get on and then order the meal. That would make perfect CX sense, delaying a flight for a meal, for staff. No wait a second, what am I thinking?:ugh::D

So if I cancel my booking 45 minutes before a flight, is the meal still loaded? Does Nipperess actually think that catering will not load the meal then not charge Cathay? How stupid does he think we are? Ah don’t answer that.:confused:

Can’t believe this guy is a Manager for a Major Airline for so long.:ugh::rolleyes:

Oh I forgot, Broccoli.

Pogie:


Few years ago I was working for a regional in the US. There is a provision in our contract that execuses "no show" for 2 or 3 times a year (I don't remember exactly) if one can show proof that he has made 2 attempts j/s or non-rev and these 2 attempts will allow him to show up at work on time. Of course, crew schedueling must be notified in advance. I have never used the commuter clause myself and always back to base a day before.

I know it is a different world in Asia but it is not so unthinkable as you have suggested.

Thank you for your mature and intelligent response, and not some preteen OMG comment! This is what I was asking about. I should probably have mentioned "commuter clause" in my original question but hey, I have not commuted before! So, there is no commuter clause in CX. Got it!