Jumpseating on Polar

T

taildragger173

Well-Known Member
Has anyone jumpseated on Polar? I know that they post a schedule on their website and you must pre-list for it. What has the experience been like? What is the crew rest area like on the upper deck? Is there food and water available to an offline jumpseater? Any issues with clearing customs upon arrival into the states after coming off of a cargo flight?

Thanks!
 
I try hard to not be the type that replies with "do a search for it", however, I replied to a similar question with pictures and everything about a year ago so it might turn up in a search but I don't remember what the thread was titled. They are great!
 
Huh.

Well then.

Taildragger, the crew rest bunk is nice. I would definitely not have an expectation of being able to use it as a jumpseater though. On a short 3 hour segment where there were only two pilots (HKG-ICN), the crew offered my friend and I the rest bunks to lie down and take a nap which was great. They weren't using them on that leg anyway.

On longer flights though, obviously pilots on duty are going to be using the bunks and anyone deadheading as well. But the seats in the upper deck themselves are not bad at all either. They're not quite airline business class but they are certainly better than domestic style first class seats. Plenty good enough to get some sleep in. There's lots of room, and an oven and a pile of food that you can walk up to whenever you want without bugging anyone. I can't remembered if they catered for us jumpseaters or there was simply an abundance of food. I think they catered a little extra for the two of us, but you could certainly bring your own food too.

I cleared customs in LAX and we just took the van from the cargo ramp over to the pax side and cleared customs with the crew. Very easy.

Also, if you happen to be leaving HKG on them, I don't know how it works at most stations overseas but we were told to stand under an information desk letter at 17:00 in the passenger terminal. A woman walked up to us and escorted us through crew customs/immigration and crew security and then handed us the folder with the flight paperwork and said give that to the crew. She showed us into a van and it drove us all the way around to the airplane. Very convenient. They were great to travel on.

Maybe you can ride on Polar742's flight and enjoy a nice smooooth landing.
 
I rode with Polar ANC-HKG and back in January. Simply awesome. The crew was great.

Checking-in, in ANC was easy. HKG was a bit unnerving, thinking I missed the window, however stand where Nick said, and they'll find you.

I was offered the spare bunk, and took advantage of it.
There was a serious abundance of catering. Don't bring food through customs though.

If I was still in CASS, I'd use them again to travel overseas, rather than mainlines. The freedom to walk around, and check out the views from the cockpit is pretty cool.
 
So I take it as long as you're in CASS a reciprocal agreement isn't necessary?

And I do remember that once upon a time Polar742 posted a great write up on Jumpseating on them, but since the Search function seems to be semi-permanently deferred it would be kinda hard to find.
 
TallFlyer said:
So I take it as long as you're in CASS a reciprocal agreement isn't necessary?

And I do remember that once upon a time Polar742 posted a great write up on Jumpseating on them, but since the Search function seems to be semi-permanently deferred it would be kinda hard to find.
Click to expand...

MEL SRCH LOOP A 03-44-02-01 EXPIRES 02/23/12
 
BobDDuck said:
You guys get expiration dates on your MELs? Nice. We just get the date it was issued, look up the duration and then do the math.
Click to expand...

Yeah, guess our guys don't mind doing it for us ;)
 
Thanks everyone for your help! I am listed for a flight out of HKG to ANC next week. They gave me the station's number in HKG and I called them. It looks like I'm supposed to meet someone between the E and F counter which is what I've read on here too. Has anyone had a difficult time finding them?

How do you get to the pax terminal in ANC?

Thanks
 
Worst case scenario you're calling a cab but everything is close enough that it would only be a $5 ride.

I'm sure that the crew or ops will have a better solution though.
 
In Hong Kong, they find you. Be between E and F, and you'll see the crew plus handlers when they walk in. There isn't a desk or office for you to go too.

You'll clear customs in ANC, then walk through the terminal passageways, err, hallway to the main domestic terminal. No cab required.
If for some strange reason you go to their ops instead, it's about a $10 cab ride to the terminal. You'll probably have to give the cabby dispatch directions. It's hidden in a warehouse area nowhere near the terminal.
 
taildragger173 said:
Thanks everyone for your help! I am listed for a flight out of HKG to ANC next week. They gave me the station's number in HKG and I called them. It looks like I'm supposed to meet someone between the E and F counter which is what I've read on here too. Has anyone had a difficult time finding them?

How do you get to the pax terminal in ANC?

Thanks
Click to expand...

All you have to do is walk into Terminal 2, down the ramp. Giant "E" and "F" at the ends of the aisle of counters. It'll be super easy. You can check your bags too. Wear your uniform for Customs in HKG.

In ANC, coming in from HKG, you WILL go to the pax terminal. Process through customs, go out turn right, and walk to the domestic terminal. Super easy.

A few spots of ettiquette:

1)Introduce yourself to the crew when you meet them between E&F, and ask for the ride there.
2) Allow the operating crew and any online jumpseaters up the stairs first.
3) You will quickly see that there is very little space on that giant jet, so either chill on the main deck or go up the stairs make 2 right turns. If the seat next to the window is open, enjoy it.
4) Food: before you grab stuff, see if anyone has any meal preferences. - Don't be afraid to ask to get checked out on the oven and/or coffee pot.
5) When you get to ANC, and folks open the L1, try to get off the aircraft fairly quickly.

Have fun!
 
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