Non-Rev Tips/Tricks

poser765 said:
No problem. it all seems pretty daunting when you are new, but just give it time. It won't take too long before you start realizing what works and what doesn't and how the flow of the whole process works.
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And that first trip you get where you're sitting in biz or first for free/cheap it feels like stealing. Pretty awesome perk when it works.
 
Screaming_Emu said:
And that first trip you get where you're sitting in biz or first for free/cheap it feels like stealing. Pretty awesome perk when it works.
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lol when it works. You have to go into it with the right mindset. If you are very "meh" inclined, like I am, about 60% of the stress of jump seating/commuting/non revving is eliminated.
 
I'm too lazy to read through the entire thread again but I've said it many times on JC.... If you're traveling standby on a flight, be it jumpseat or in the back, introduce yourself to the crew before they board if you can. As a captain, if I know you're there, and you're not an ass in some way, I'm going to do everything possible to get you and whoever you're with on.
 
CaptBill said:
I'm too lazy to read through the entire thread again but I've said it many times on JC.... If you're traveling standby on a flight, be it jumpseat or in the back, introduce yourself to the crew before they board if you can. As a captain, if I know you're there, and you're not an ass in some way, I'm going to do everything possible to get you and whoever you're with on.
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Especially up at the gate. If we don't have the time to do the "check for jumpseaters" walk, that's the best way to let us know you're there. Even just a nod or wave at the gate if you stick out as a crew member.
 
I'm a newbie to 121 so have opted to wear my uniform when jumpseating. I've had nothing but positive, welcoming experiences from every crew so far. And I always make a point to check in up front and introduce myself to the Captain.
 
Screaming_Emu said:
Especially up at the gate. If we don't have the time to do the "check for jumpseaters" walk, that's the best way to let us know you're there. Even just a nod or wave at the gate if you stick out as a crew member.
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You know that's been kind of a issue for me, even though I can Jumpseat I don't have a uniform. So it has occasionally been fairly awkward when I introduce myself to the captain at the gate..
 
Luigi said:
You know that's been kind of a issue for me, even though I can Jumpseat I don't have a uniform. So it has occasionally been fairly awkward when I introduce myself to the captain at the gate..
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I doubt it's awkward for them. I'd say at least for the intro wear your lanyard/badge. As wrong as it sounds, any awkwardness comes from you being mistaken for a regular passenger and not a fellow crew member.
 
Screaming_Emu said:
I doubt it's awkward for them. I'd say at least for the intro wear your lanyard/badge. As wrong as it sounds, any awkwardness comes from you being mistaken for a regular passenger and not a fellow crew member.
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My badge also doesn't say "CREW" but it's not the end world. Usually a few hand shakes and a quick reference to the FOM and I'm good to ride. And yes, the awkwardness comes from the fact that I look like a regular nonrev or passenger.
 
I saw it buried in one comment but I will say it here. If at all possible gun for that first flight of the day. The further into the business day you get, the more jacked up things in the system get and it starts to become a crapshoot as people misconnect, flights get whacked, you name it.

Like Luigi I'm also a dispatcher so I can attest to the fact that sometimes it's awkward to intro to the crew since you don't have the "eye catching" uniform as an "in" to interject in the conversation. I'm a pretty social guy anyway so I have no problems bellying on up and introducing myself, but there are times where it clearly looks like they are in a hurry and I get to feeling more like paparazzi then a fellow brother of the skies!
 
I worked the nonrev system hard this past week with a lot of success. All the advice given is great. One added benefit as a pilot is the jump-seat, if the loads are iffy just list for the jump, and depending on the route and time of day you may be fortunate enough to be the only jumpseater listed and/or hopefully you're company policy favors you on the jumpseat (assuming the gate agent does their job properly). Then the always having a back up idea is a definite MUST. I've been playing it incredibly safe and been lucky so far, and my wife has traveled with me quite a bit this past week as well. I told her her day is coming where it's not going to go so smoothly, it's only a matter of time...

My best advice, is to be flexible, be prepared to spend a lot of time in the airport, have a back up, and kill everyone with kindness. "Please," and "thank you," and not running your mouth, alone can make a world of difference.

As far as checked bags, I've done it a few times now. Your bag goes whether you do or not. So as long as you plan on picking up your bag at your final destination at some point then it's really a non-issue. However, if you have iffy intentions of actually going to or making that destination or any destinations close to it then it's best to just have carry-ons only. That said, pack what is absolutely important and vital in your carry on to get you through a night of missed flights, or WORST case scenario a lost bag. I have yet to lose a bag, but there's a first time for everything. Best of luck to you out there!
 
I've bought tickets for legs I couldn't get on, sometimes you lose the money, but it's better to have a backup. A ton of misconducts can happen and you get on as a nonrev anyway.

I was in Vegas recently and flights to IAH were stacked with nonrevs and IAD was delayed so I'd miss the connection to LHR. Quick thinking, went to the lounge, switched to LAX-LHR bought a ticket on VX and found a kiosk to print the boarding pass. Trouble was no way to transit between terminal 3 and 7 at LAX without going out and back in again, but made it fine.
 
CaptBill said:
If you really want an adventure, pack a carry-on bag with three or four days worth of essentials and head to the airport. Look at the departure board and pick a destination.
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When I was stationed in Europe for Uncle Sam, it was a sport for the single guys to head down to Stanstead on Friday afternoon with a backpack packed for a weekend, and go buy tickets to whatever Ryanair or EasyJet's cheapest, on-sale destination was for the weekend.

Some of the places in Europe (and elsewhere!) they went to -- and the shenanigans they got into when they got there -- were awesome.

I was an old married family guy, so I couldn't participate...but sorta wish I had been able to.

@ryan1234, the LPA still doing that these days?
 
FedEx has never let me down. Its stress free, the crews are always friendly and hilarious and thats probably because they make a quarter million a year to fly 10 days a month. Only drawback is having to take a shuttle or cab from the terminal to the cargo ramp and vice versa.
 
Luigi said:
My badge also doesn't say "CREW" but it's not the end world. Usually a few hand shakes and a quick reference to the FOM and I'm good to ride. And yes, the awkwardness comes from the fact that I look like a regular nonrev or passenger.
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Oh, are you the one routing me through the thunderstorms instead of around them? :D
 
pljenkins said:
Like Luigi I'm also a dispatcher so I can attest to the fact that sometimes it's awkward to intro to the crew since you don't have the "eye catching" uniform as an "in" to interject in the conversation. I'm a pretty social guy anyway so I have no problems bellying on up and introducing myself, but there are times where it clearly looks like they are in a hurry and I get to feeling more like paparazzi then a fellow brother of the skies!
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It's awkward initially when I try to discreetly catch the Captain while he's at the gate, if the opportunity exists, rather than having to catch him onboard when the crew is busy with their preflight tasks. And looking like a road construction crew member while doing so. But the obvious paperwork, professional demeanor, and reference to something aviation, lets on quick that I'm not Joe Six Pack pax.

Hacker15e said:
@ryan1234, the LPA still doing that these days?
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The LPA is dead. Always has been. Can't even keep a simple squadron bar stocked correctly. Or if they're a pansy-ass LPA, their "heritage room" stocked correctly, for that matter.
 
MikeD said:
The LPA is dead. Always has been. Can't even keep a simple squadron bar stocked correctly. Or if they're a pansy-ass LPA, their "heritage room" stocked correctly, for that matter.
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Alternately, the Mayor has lost control.
 
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