Galley Gossip: Nonreving – a new web site for airline employees (and retirees)

by Heather Poole on

Dear Heather

came across your blog recently and I wanted to introduce you to our web site www.NonRevCheckin.com just in case you were not aware of it already. Our web site is really the first of its kind allowing Non Rev travelers to see flight schedules and more importantly, flight loads on over 130 airlines around the world. We obtain data from Sabre® global distribution system; interpret that date thru our complex formulas to put seat availability in to 1 of 5 easy to understand categories. Members who use our web site can search flights all over the world to plan their Non Rev travels or commutes. Once a member chooses the flight(s) they wish to Non Rev on, they can set up mobile and email alerts to keep them apprised of the latest loads. Since flight loads are quite dynamic and can change often before departure, it is important to keep informed of the latest loads. With our service, our members can easily choose to set up alerts from 24 hours up to 1 hour before departure thus keeping them updated while they go about their normal activities.

Sincerely,

Brad

Dear Brad,

I haven’t had a chance to log in and check it out, but why use your site opposed to the one I normally use?

Heather

PS – Where were you last month? That’s actually me in the video (below) using my laptop to check passengers loads from Chicago to New York.

Dear Heather,

I am not sure what site you normally use, so I will have to give some general answers.

1. Most airline employee web sites only allow you to look up flight loads on your airline. For example, if you work for US Airways, you can look up your loads but you don’t have access to any other airline.

2. Following number one, who flies the same city pair you trying fly on? Our site allows you to see over 170 airlines around the world that fly that route. With that information at your finger tips you can choose the best option for you to non rev on. It might fit a better departure/arrival time for you or it might be a better load. Wouldn’t you rather fly on an empty airplane flown by another airline than be stuck in last row middle seat for a 5 or more hour flight? One of the most important rules to non reving is having back up plans.

3. Once again, I don’t know what source you use, but many airline employees and retirees do not have access to a “quality” web site for a source. Even their company’s web site may be antiquated and or very slow. Most airlines do not spend money, time or other resources on providing the top notch employee non rev web sites.

4. With our system you can sign up for alerts to your cell phone and email. Let me give an example of how this is beneficial. You and your family are going to be flying from LAX to HNL in two days. The loads look OK right now but we know that could change in the next 48 hours. Now you can check your company web site or call your company reservations every so often to learn the latest loads or sign up for alerts on our web site and you will automatically get sent a text message at times you want before departure. This allows you to now not to have to be in front of a computer or call a reservations line to get the latest loads. We do all the work for you. Go about your normal activities such as shopping, golfing or just hanging at the beach on your way back from HNL. Maybe an earlier flight now looks better or maybe the loads got really bad and there is no since in even trying to non rev until the next day so you might as well stay on the beach. Commuters love the web site. When they are doing their last leg inbound for work, they turn on their phone when they can, and the alerts pop saying which flight looks the best to get home. There might be two flights that leave about the same time on different airlines and they can make a quick informed decision before running to the right gate. Even if they are jump seating, most prefer or need a seat in the back of the plane.

5. Why other sites are inferior to ours:

  • Have not been redesigned in ages so what does that say for the quality?
  • Only 3 categories (smiley faces) while we have 5 easy to understand categories.
  • Can not sign up for alerts. The only way to get updated info is to get back on the web site.
  • No customer service.
  • No listing phone numbers. We list Non Rev phone numbers next to every flight so if you need to call to list, you have easy access.

6. Non user friendly log in. You have to find/remember you companies log in. With our system you create your own profile.

  • One stop source for weather, hotels, rental cars, cruises, destination information and other information.
  • Zed calculator.

Hope this helps explain a little more of what we do.

Brad

Dear Brad,

Awesome web site! Nonrevs around the world are going to love it. Thanks for sharing. But…even though I am able to check loads on several different airlines, I’m unable to check on all airlines. What’s the deal?

Heather

Dear Heather,

There are a few airlines that do not participate with Sabre supplying enough data for us to determine loads. For those airlines we only show schedules. We do however provide passenger seat availability for over 130 airlines around the world. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask

Brad

Attractive laptop bags for the seriously paranoid (like me)

by Annie Scott on

Loopbags is a line of laptop bags that really, really protect your laptop. And for some of us, that means being able to sleep on the plane.

Not that I need an excuse to be protective of my laptop computer — it’s a valuable little thing — but, you know, I travel, and it’s my job to write about it. And if I get to say, Puerto Rico, and my laptop is busted? I am screwed.

Loopbags has laptop briefcases, backpacks (shown), messengers, totes and sleeves in a variety of pleasing colors for men and women. What really impresses me about these bags, though, is the quality of the engineering. These bags have zippers which can virtually unfold the entire bag and give you an infinite choice of possibilities for where to keep what — except the computer of course, which has its designated, waterproof (even the zippers), and snugly padded pocket. And yes, all Loop bags fit under the sit in front of you and/or in the overhead compartment. The shoulders are adjustable ergonomic nylon with shock-resistant padding, and it’s also full of secret pockets for cash, passports and other stuff I get paranoid about.

I’ve gotta say, this is the first backpack I’ve seen in years that I wouldn’t be embarrassed to wear. You can browse the APLF Award winning bags by style or laptop size.

Pictured is the Loopbag Vanguard Backpack in Sand, Azure, and Lime — and wait until you see it from all sides! Check out the site for more views and zips/unzips, and click here to shop. These are currently on sale for $114 (from $142).

Discrimination on the runway: Delta’s uniform sizing

by Annie Scott on

Delta is under fire from its new partner Northwest Airlines due to what they claim is weight discrimination. Delta’s signature bright red dress, which debuted on the NY runways in 2005 and hit the airways in 2006, only comes in up to size 18.

“Red is a color that attracts attention and someone, somewhere has made a decision that they don’t want to attract attention to someone in a dress that’s larger than a size 18,” says Patricia Reller, vice chair of the Northwest flight attendants’ union’s grievance committee. “I’m very offended by it,” she adds.

The committee also filed complaints in regards to Delta’s “requirement that flight attendants who wear orthopedic shoes must wear slacks and not a skirt or dress. Those that wear the orthopedic shoes must obtain a doctor’s note,” according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Designer of the red dress, Richard Tyler (pictured), was reportedly envisioning the flights of yore, when everyone dressed up to fly, and well … apparently when flight attendants wore heels and were under size 18. Delta, whose flight attendants have no union, claims that there are plenty of options for fuller figured employees, including slacks, skirts, and other dresses.

Because Northwest’s flight attendants have a union, this merger may mean a lot of changes for Delta.

Check out this video of Delta giving the Northwest Airlines employees their fittings:

“We rolled out the red carpet in Minneapolis / St. Paul to celebrate the completion of our style clinics for our Northwest flight attendants. The clinics gave attendants a first hand look and feel of Delta’s uniforms: The Richard Tyler Collection. Celebrity designer, Richard Tyler, was on-hand to provide custom style consultations to the flight attendants.” — the YouTube caption, via DeltaAirLines.

Style clinics?? What do you think?

Further reading: Our resident flight attendant Heather Poole has “a thing for airline uniforms.” Read here!

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[via The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]

Commemorate your trip with Urban Sparrow

by Annie Scott on

Urban Sparrow is a young jewelry company favored by the likes of Jennie Garth and Gossip Girl‘s Blake Lively, and they make affordable, meaningful necklaces you can wear all over the world.

Not only do they have this classic and androgynous Journey design (at right, it’s a 3/4 inch hand stamped sterling silver disc adorned with a hand wrapped freshwater pearl, $38), but they also accept custom orders.

I asked Urban Sparrow’s owner and creative director Shawn Nelson what inspired them to create the Journey design.

“The Journey necklace was inspired by my mom who was diagnosed with breast cancer almost 6 years ago. Since then she has a clean bill of health and that is the way we live now … that every moment no matter how large or small is a journey. The way we run Urban Sparrow and our lives is through adventure and journey. I think that now we travel more, experience more and enjoy more!!! It is all a journey and the way you perceive it.“

It’s a beautiful message and a beautiful necklace, with only a minor danger of causing others to assume you’re really into classic rock. Want to choose your stones, the number and size of your discs, and your text? Get a custom necklace made — they’re extremely reasonably priced, and you can even add the date and location of your trip to make a special keepsake.

I also recommend checking out their Live Fully, Embrace Life and Lucky designs. Click here to shop!