Your Favorite Airlines to Jumpseat
- Thread starter Crism
- Start date
v1valarob
Well-Known Member
United will give you a business class seat if they are open, but it's still considered good to ask the captain and purser if that's ok, as it's their aircraft. United has a no first class deal for jumpseaters thing going on, even if it's the only seat open.
Delta will put you in economy, and then the Captain or Purser has to find you a seat up front if they wish to give you one.
Both are in reference to international jumpseating.
Nick
Well-Known Member
Internationally
My experiences jumpseating internationally.
First, you asked about wearing a uniform and having a higher chance or not for an upgrade. If you walk in and tell the lead flight attendant "hi, I'm Joe with ABC Airlines, mind if I check in with the cockpit crew for that?" That should be enough of a clue for them that you are a jumpseater and wearing a uniform would serve no purpose. I wouldn't bother; people are just going to look at you for 1-16 hours and you could be wearing something slightly more comfortable anyway.
Continental is reliable for getting on the flight if there are seats. No jumpseat listing issues, just do it at the ticket counter 1.5 hours or more before the flight. They won't give a jumpseater business class at the gate, but the crew might upgrade you if there is a seat available.
United is fantastic now that they take unlimited cabin jumpseaters internationally. The chances of being given a business class seat are high, even by the gate agent. If they don't give you one, the United crews really try and take care of you (so I return the favor!). They also seem to be very forgetful in charging departure taxes. The only thing you have to remember with United is that you want to be listed in advance via the 1-800-UAL-LIST phone line. Use the phrase "OMC" for jumpseating. Hubs are able to list you but I wouldn't count on it, i.e. it may take a ticket agent at NRT a few minutes to find someone that knows how to enter it into the computer there.
Delta is good too, since listing at the ticket counter always has seemed to be reliable. JFK crews seem to have a friendlier mentality as far as upgrading a jumpseater to an empty business class seat as compared to ATL crews in my experience, but I've non-revved on DL more than jumpseated so that is a very unscientific poll. No offense to the south DL side whatsoever, but the former Northwest side of things at Delta is more jumpseater friendly in my opinion. Another thing: do not use the 767-300ER for jumpseating on a flight that is longer than 9 hours unless there are at least 50 seats open (I'd say 25 but you're going to be after all other non-revs including buddy passes so a buffer would be wise), plus between Beijing and Tokyo even though it is only 2.5 hours (weight restricted!).
US Airways has been nice to me as far as offering me a good seat. One thing to look out for though is there may be some confusion as to where they want you to have paid the departure tax to get back into the states. They told me in Europe once that I had to have a receipt that I paid the tax in PHL, before leaving Europe on a flight to PHL. Wrong. I've since never used US Air for international travel, even as a backup. That situation may have been an anomaly unique to that station, however (Rome).
If it at all makes sense with your travel plans, take Polar/Atlas. Automatic comfortable seat, relaxed atmosphere, and if by chance you are bumped out of the jumpseat because they have to deadhead some of their own pilots on that flight, they will be very helpful on the phone in getting you on the very next available flight. They will literally read you the list of options you have to get home, in multiple directions around the planet depending on where you are. The guy was ready to list me and a friend from Hong Kong - Sharjah - Frankfurt - CVG if we wanted! We stuck with HKG-ICN-LAX the next day though. They met us in the pax check-in area and drove us to the airplane on the cargo ramp, and we cleared customs with the crew on the other end of the journey the same way. If the flight is a two-pilot segment, the rest bunk will be empty -- they were nice enough to offer us those on the shorter segment and that was really great to lie down and take a nap.
If I had to sum it up in one sentence, seats available: Only use USAir for leaving the US not coming back in , Continental and Delta will get you there, I wish Northwest was still around, take United if you can't take Polar or Atlas.
My experiences jumpseating internationally.
First, you asked about wearing a uniform and having a higher chance or not for an upgrade. If you walk in and tell the lead flight attendant "hi, I'm Joe with ABC Airlines, mind if I check in with the cockpit crew for that?" That should be enough of a clue for them that you are a jumpseater and wearing a uniform would serve no purpose. I wouldn't bother; people are just going to look at you for 1-16 hours and you could be wearing something slightly more comfortable anyway.
Continental is reliable for getting on the flight if there are seats. No jumpseat listing issues, just do it at the ticket counter 1.5 hours or more before the flight. They won't give a jumpseater business class at the gate, but the crew might upgrade you if there is a seat available.
United is fantastic now that they take unlimited cabin jumpseaters internationally. The chances of being given a business class seat are high, even by the gate agent. If they don't give you one, the United crews really try and take care of you (so I return the favor!). They also seem to be very forgetful in charging departure taxes. The only thing you have to remember with United is that you want to be listed in advance via the 1-800-UAL-LIST phone line. Use the phrase "OMC" for jumpseating. Hubs are able to list you but I wouldn't count on it, i.e. it may take a ticket agent at NRT a few minutes to find someone that knows how to enter it into the computer there.
Delta is good too, since listing at the ticket counter always has seemed to be reliable. JFK crews seem to have a friendlier mentality as far as upgrading a jumpseater to an empty business class seat as compared to ATL crews in my experience, but I've non-revved on DL more than jumpseated so that is a very unscientific poll. No offense to the south DL side whatsoever, but the former Northwest side of things at Delta is more jumpseater friendly in my opinion. Another thing: do not use the 767-300ER for jumpseating on a flight that is longer than 9 hours unless there are at least 50 seats open (I'd say 25 but you're going to be after all other non-revs including buddy passes so a buffer would be wise), plus between Beijing and Tokyo even though it is only 2.5 hours (weight restricted!).
US Airways has been nice to me as far as offering me a good seat. One thing to look out for though is there may be some confusion as to where they want you to have paid the departure tax to get back into the states. They told me in Europe once that I had to have a receipt that I paid the tax in PHL, before leaving Europe on a flight to PHL. Wrong. I've since never used US Air for international travel, even as a backup. That situation may have been an anomaly unique to that station, however (Rome).
If it at all makes sense with your travel plans, take Polar/Atlas. Automatic comfortable seat, relaxed atmosphere, and if by chance you are bumped out of the jumpseat because they have to deadhead some of their own pilots on that flight, they will be very helpful on the phone in getting you on the very next available flight. They will literally read you the list of options you have to get home, in multiple directions around the planet depending on where you are. The guy was ready to list me and a friend from Hong Kong - Sharjah - Frankfurt - CVG if we wanted! We stuck with HKG-ICN-LAX the next day though. They met us in the pax check-in area and drove us to the airplane on the cargo ramp, and we cleared customs with the crew on the other end of the journey the same way. If the flight is a two-pilot segment, the rest bunk will be empty -- they were nice enough to offer us those on the shorter segment and that was really great to lie down and take a nap.
If I had to sum it up in one sentence, seats available: Only use USAir for leaving the US not coming back in , Continental and Delta will get you there, I wish Northwest was still around, take United if you can't take Polar or Atlas.
mrivc211
Well-Known Member
Re: Internationally
I jumpseat on UAL, AA and occasionally WN. All 3 have been really good to me. UAL always offers me the first class seat. The pilots never take their frustrations out on me, they are always nice and always offer a meal to me. AA pilots are always nothing but nice. WN crews are always very low maintenance. You will occasionally have the bitter person, but just remember theres always a bad apple at every company.
I jumpseat on UAL, AA and occasionally WN. All 3 have been really good to me. UAL always offers me the first class seat. The pilots never take their frustrations out on me, they are always nice and always offer a meal to me. AA pilots are always nothing but nice. WN crews are always very low maintenance. You will occasionally have the bitter person, but just remember theres always a bad apple at every company.
Speedbird172
Well-Known Member
Re: Internationally
I've always had a pleasant experience with jetBlue, those guys always are happy to accommodate and seem to genuinely enjoy their jobs. Recently I've also been on AA, Southwest and Delta, also good experiences including riding up front with DL, great guys.
I've always had a pleasant experience with jetBlue, those guys always are happy to accommodate and seem to genuinely enjoy their jobs. Recently I've also been on AA, Southwest and Delta, also good experiences including riding up front with DL, great guys.
SurferLucas
Southern Gentleman
Re: Internationally
When I was jumpseating from ATL to the PacNW, I took a number of carriers:
Delta - Hardly ever had an issue with them. If a pilot is listed for the jump, they'll show up and get it. Liked having PTV in the back, and occasionally got moved up to "First" by the Gate Agents/FA/Captain. Great flight deck crews...esp those that I had to ride the jump on a 75 on a redeye from SEA or PDX back to ATL.
AA - Must call to list...never moved up front by the gate agents/FA's. The only time I got First on AA is when the Captain told the lead FA that I was to be seated there.
AirTran - Hardly ever sat in coach. Great crews and the FA's aren't surly.
United - Most times got Economy Plus, a few times got Business. FA's and Gate Agents aren't bad to deal with.
Frontier - Really good FA's and they'll get you free TV.
Alaska - Usually got moved up to First...FA's weren't bad to us "redheaded step children".
A key to getting treated better, atleast in my experience, was to take a $3.00 package of Ghirardelli individual chocolates for the crew. Just be nice, have manners and offer to help out...that will usually go far.
When I was jumpseating from ATL to the PacNW, I took a number of carriers:
Delta - Hardly ever had an issue with them. If a pilot is listed for the jump, they'll show up and get it. Liked having PTV in the back, and occasionally got moved up to "First" by the Gate Agents/FA/Captain. Great flight deck crews...esp those that I had to ride the jump on a 75 on a redeye from SEA or PDX back to ATL.
AA - Must call to list...never moved up front by the gate agents/FA's. The only time I got First on AA is when the Captain told the lead FA that I was to be seated there.
AirTran - Hardly ever sat in coach. Great crews and the FA's aren't surly.
United - Most times got Economy Plus, a few times got Business. FA's and Gate Agents aren't bad to deal with.
Frontier - Really good FA's and they'll get you free TV.
Alaska - Usually got moved up to First...FA's weren't bad to us "redheaded step children".
A key to getting treated better, atleast in my experience, was to take a $3.00 package of Ghirardelli individual chocolates for the crew. Just be nice, have manners and offer to help out...that will usually go far.
BeRich
Very Special Agent
Re: Internationally
How does it work with the cargo carriers? Is it just the jumpseat, or are there a few seats outside the cockpit?
How does it work with the cargo carriers? Is it just the jumpseat, or are there a few seats outside the cockpit?
Nick
Well-Known Member
Re: Internationally
For those two as well as Kalitta and one or two others of the same type, there are jumpseats in the cockpit plus some seats in the upper deck. On the 747-200s and -400s that I've been on, there have been four seats back there. They are not quite as good as the business class seats on a pax airliner but are a million times better than coach, for sure -- plus factor in the fact that you're sharing the plane with three other passengers and you can get up whenever you want to and heat some food up or stretch. There are power ports as well, so if you loaded up some movies onto your laptop or something, you'd be just as entertained as someone on a 777 that has an entertainment system that needs to be taken back to the manufacturer for a refund (that's typically my experience anyway).
As for FedEx and UPS, they've got a jumpseat or two in the cockpit as well, and some in the back (varies by airplane) but they cannot take jumpseaters internationally (other than their own).
For those two as well as Kalitta and one or two others of the same type, there are jumpseats in the cockpit plus some seats in the upper deck. On the 747-200s and -400s that I've been on, there have been four seats back there. They are not quite as good as the business class seats on a pax airliner but are a million times better than coach, for sure -- plus factor in the fact that you're sharing the plane with three other passengers and you can get up whenever you want to and heat some food up or stretch. There are power ports as well, so if you loaded up some movies onto your laptop or something, you'd be just as entertained as someone on a 777 that has an entertainment system that needs to be taken back to the manufacturer for a refund (that's typically my experience anyway).
As for FedEx and UPS, they've got a jumpseat or two in the cockpit as well, and some in the back (varies by airplane) but they cannot take jumpseaters internationally (other than their own).
Bradeku1008
Well-Known Member
Re: Internationally
Iv always jumpseated on ual. They are always good to me. I always get first class when there is an empty seat and when I don't iv even had the fa from first class come back and ask me if id like something to eat before. Small thing but it goes a long way
Iv always jumpseated on ual. They are always good to me. I always get first class when there is an empty seat and when I don't iv even had the fa from first class come back and ask me if id like something to eat before. Small thing but it goes a long way
DE727UPS
Well-Known Member
Re: Internationally
"As for FedEx and UPS, they've got a jumpseat or two in the cockpit as well, and some in the back (varies by airplane) but they cannot take jumpseaters internationally (other than their own)."
Every UPS plane has at least four jumpseats. The seats are all pretty good for a domestic length flight except the 757, which is terrible for anything over an hour or two. It's true we cannot take international jumpseaters. Many of our flights will have multiple open jumpseats but there are a few routings that will be impossible. Here is a link to find our flights:
http://tools.ipapilot.org/jumpseats/index.php
The hardest part about riding on UPS would be figuring out where to go to get to the plane and how the jumpseat process works.
For myself, I think SWA is the best to jumpseat on. The crews are totally friendly and accommodating. I don't like the cattle car boarding process but cockpit jumpseaters can preboard and then I go hide all the way in the back. Skywest and Horizon have been very nice as well. I like the planeside baggage check and the flight crews have been very nice.
Your greatest obstacle in jumpseating will be the surly gate agent. Make their job as easy as possible by pre-listing and be polite. If they don't do their job, take note of their name, time, and gate number, and let your jumpseat coordinator know of the problem. Also, sometimes you can find another gate agent that will help you out when one is clueless or uncooperative.
"As for FedEx and UPS, they've got a jumpseat or two in the cockpit as well, and some in the back (varies by airplane) but they cannot take jumpseaters internationally (other than their own)."
Every UPS plane has at least four jumpseats. The seats are all pretty good for a domestic length flight except the 757, which is terrible for anything over an hour or two. It's true we cannot take international jumpseaters. Many of our flights will have multiple open jumpseats but there are a few routings that will be impossible. Here is a link to find our flights:
http://tools.ipapilot.org/jumpseats/index.php
The hardest part about riding on UPS would be figuring out where to go to get to the plane and how the jumpseat process works.
For myself, I think SWA is the best to jumpseat on. The crews are totally friendly and accommodating. I don't like the cattle car boarding process but cockpit jumpseaters can preboard and then I go hide all the way in the back. Skywest and Horizon have been very nice as well. I like the planeside baggage check and the flight crews have been very nice.
Your greatest obstacle in jumpseating will be the surly gate agent. Make their job as easy as possible by pre-listing and be polite. If they don't do their job, take note of their name, time, and gate number, and let your jumpseat coordinator know of the problem. Also, sometimes you can find another gate agent that will help you out when one is clueless or uncooperative.
zmiller4
Well-Known Member
Southwest and Airtran are by far the two most reliably good I've jumpseated on. Southwest crews are always friendly and accommodating, and they usually don't have a problem with taking two jumpseaters. Airtran seems to always put me in business unless I'm in the cockpit. I had one Airtran commuter who took the FA jumpseat so I could get home--it was awesome.
fender_jag
Well-Known Member
Great advice all around. I bought some cookies from duty-free and gave them to the guys up front when I got a ride to Paris (UAL). Just a small token of appreciation.
CamYZ125
Well-Known Member
Seriously. You always pick nice avatars, CRJ, but this one might need to stick around a while... haha