Jumpseaters, follow the rules!

zmiller4

zmiller4

Well-Known Member
If you show up for a flight 45 minutes after another jumpseater, and the gate agent tells you that this particular regional carrier's priority puts you and the other guy at the same level based on time of check-in and he should get it, deal with it. Don't bluster your way to the airplane, try to intimidate the other guy off the jetbridge, and then walk off in a huff when the gate agent and captain tell you you're wrong.

I'd understand if you were clueless, but when you wave priority form in someone's face that describes in no uncertain terms why you're not first in line, you're just a tool trying to scare someone away.
 
Kind of off tangent here.

What exactly is the jumpseat etiquette? From someone who is a hopeful in the industry (call me crazy), jumpseating is anytime you're hitching a ride to or from work correct? What if there are empty seats in the back? Plane is half full or what not and you're sitting with the rest of the cattle. Do you still announce your presence to the crew? Even if they would have no clue you're back there.
 
B767 said:
Kind of off tangent here.

What exactly is the jumpseat etiquette? From someone who is a hopeful in the industry (call me crazy), jumpseating is anytime you're hitching a ride to or from work correct? What if there are empty seats in the back? Plane is half full or what not and you're sitting with the rest of the cattle. Do you still announce your presence to the crew? Even if they would have no clue you're back there.
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If you're jumpseating, and not traveling on a company provided ticket (dead head), I'd expect you to stop in and introduce yourself, even if you're the only one riding in the back.
 
Good to know. Always happy to learn as much as possible "behind the scenes" stuff before hand. Out of curiosity, why? Just in case someone is a scab?
 
Or, be an off-line major FO going to drill in ORF and trying to intimidate two on-line pilots out of their own jumpseat (which I'm assuming he knew about in advance or makes enough peripheral income to pay for the ride - please correct me if I'm wrong, guys). He even had the nerve to say "you know I've been here since 3pm" when we had been there since 1pm. He demanded to know our boarding priority (our aircraft = #1, like most carriers), and then stormed off.

I have to say, the majority of people DO play by the rules and are professional. However, I agree that it's very disappointing to encounter those that aren't.
 
I can't remember if I posted the story when another guy from another carrier tried to 86 me off a USAirways jumpseat. I'll try to use the forums "awesome" search feature to find it before I retell the story.
 
I've had guys from other carriers give me grief about the jumpseat when I'm conducting line checks, which is space positive with a reservation. I never want to prevent anyone from getting to/from work, and unfortunately many gate agents don't or won't check to see if someone is listed for the jumpseat. Sometimes if there is a crew swap at an outstation I'll line check both crews, so there might be someone who thinks they've got the jumpseat and then all of a sudden I show up on the inbound flight. If the gate agents just checked they could at least let them know there's a space positive listed.
 
C150J said:
I have to say, the majority of people DO play by the rules and are professional. However, I agree that it's very disappointing to encounter those that aren't.
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:yeahthat:

There's probably 5-6 of this guy's coworkers who do the same commute, and they range from merely respectful to really cool. I've heard his name from one of them, and it wasn't in a good way.

Conversation from today:
Gate agent": "You should have priority, but it's the captain's decision"
Me: "So do mind if I go down and talk to him?" ("Other" guy had already ignored agent and trucked it down the jetway)
Agent: "Please do, and I'll back you 100%, because that guy's a [censored]"

The captain working the flight got ticked enough he's talking to his JS coordinator.
 
With as many threads as I've seen here in regards to gripes about jumpseat protocol I can honestly say I am slightly scared and intimidated to ever use the damn thing if I am every in a position to.
 
poser765 said:
With as many threads as I've seen here in regards to gripes about jumpseat protocol I can honestly say I am slightly scared and intimidated to ever use the damn thing if I am every in a position to.
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1. It's a privilege.
2. Know the rules.
3. Get there early.
4. Know the rules.
5. It's a privilege.
6. Never depend on commuting offline to work. If you've got an offline commute, move. Sorry, it's not what the sales manager at the flight school described it as.

:)
 
9. Don't forget ask nicely for a j/s
10. Bring some cookie or candies for gate agent and/or crews.
11. Be nice and get to know gate agents
 
Gate agents, fo show.

Never ever ever EVER attempt to push around a gate agent.

Here's something else about jumpseating, I've heard the same name when I've offline jumpseated for the past decade.

(Southernjetters, it's "Creepy J. Cray---" from DFW)

I said that because he's retired now.

This guy was NOTORIOUS for being an ass to jumpseaters and, just like the night before the prom, pilots gossip. Don't ruin it for your whole pilot group by being a bonehead when traveling OAL.
 
Don't be afraid to use it. It's not hard or complicated.

I commuted off-line ORD to JFK for 8 years and never had a problem!

1. Be polite!

2. Ask, don't tell (even if you know the "correct" answer!)

3. Say "Thank you" a lot...

4. Be polite!

5. Always check in with the Captain, even if given a seat in the back and even if told you don't have to. Worst case he will tell you you didn't have to but thanks anyway...

6. Be Polite!

7. Always identify and introduce yourself to the Lead Flight Attendant, especially if you have bags to stow. Be polite. Say "Thank you."

JMHO, YMMV.


Kevin
 
The best jumpseater I had was a Midwest FO, she came onboard and handed us two bags of warm fresh chocolate chip cookies (straight from the galley). We said thank you very much.

Those two bags of cookies lasted the three legs from the hub back to domicile- MCI-MHK-SLN-ICT - we shared the first bag with the station personnel at MHK and SLN. After blocking in at ICT we still had a whole bag left to share with crew stalkers, dispatchers, and the night shift mechanics.
 
Well I definitely commute alot. No matter who I JS on, I always say hello to the crew. Also I say thank you on my way off the plane.

Remember you represent your company when jumpseating. Plain and Simple.

When I had my first overseas military assignment, one of the first things they told us is that "you" represent the U.S. You will meet people that may never visit the US but they will remember how you treated them and that is worth more than any diplomat could ever do.

F9DXER
 
Jumpseat annoyance.... powertripping gate agents. Scenario... CASS down, already talked to CA more than willing to let me on aircraft. Gate agent says I can't even get a seat in the back without CASS....
 
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