Asking for the jumpseat and other lost traditions

Oh, and If I'm getting a free ride, I ask the PIC for it.

Regardless, I usually go up and say "hi" in case it's somebody I know...
 
Speaking of asking for the jumpseat, I had a southernjets guy catch a ride in the back and he never introduced himself.
 
ASpilot2be said:
Speaking of asking for the jumpseat, I had a southernjets guy catch a ride in the back and he never introduced himself.
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This is very common. I always pop my head in to introduce myself, even if I'm dead heading. I don't want them thinking I'm an ungrateful jerk.

Hey guys, my name is Ajax with [airline] I was wondering if I could catch a ride with you this morning/afternoon/evening?

You gonna be up here?

Actually, looks like they have a seat for me in the back, if that's OK with you./ I think it's all full back there, if you don't mind me riding up here that looks like where I'll end up.

I always have my documents ready, too. It takes zero effort to go about things the right way.

If I'm deadheading I'll introduce myself and say I'm deadheading and thank them for the ride.

If I'm nonreving or on a purchased ticket, you're getting a bag of chocolate. Cockpit and cabin crew both get ample chocolate.
 
BobDDuck said:
If he was actually jumpseating (and not on a zed fare or paid ticket), that's grounds for KDA off the airplane.
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At Eagle, the Captain had a guy from everyone's least favorite airline ejected from the airplane for precisely that mortal sin.
 
BobDDuck said:
If he was actually jumpseating (and not on a zed fare or paid ticket), that's grounds for KDA off the airplane.
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I don't know what it is, but in Anchorage only about 25 percent of the jumpseaters stop up front. Not that we have tons. I was only day two into Captain IOE when the Southernjets guy hopped on, so I was a little behind.
 
ASpilot2be said:
Speaking of asking for the jumpseat, I had a southernjets guy catch a ride in the back and he never introduced himself.
Click to expand...

We had a couple of situations like that when I was on the Saab going in an out of a small hub in the Southeast.

I had a very polite conversation with the "offenders". Most were very apologetic and were under the impression they still had non-rev privileges, but were unaware the operating airline had changed.

Only had one FA get a little testy and they were very politely told that I would overlook this time (deplaning at destination), but the next time they didn't check in (either at the gate or during boarding) they would find themselves no longer getting a free ride on my airplane.
 
Autothrust Blue said:
At Eagle, the Captain had a guy from everyone's least favorite airline ejected from the airplane for precisely that mortal sin.
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Three jumpseat denials in the 6 years I was a captain. 2 were from THAT airline and didn't check in (or checked in as a pilot from the other company), and one guy who was on the list.

ASpilot2be said:
You're absolutely right. If it happens again I certainly will. Our company is very informal when it comes to jumpseating, especially all the other Captains. But it's my ship now.
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ctab5060X said:
We had a couple of situations like that when I was on the Saab going in an out of a small hub in the Southeast.

I had a very polite conversation with the "offenders". Most were very apologetic and were under the impression they still had non-rev privileges, but were unaware the operating airline had changed.

Only had one FA get a little testy and they were very politely told that I would overlook this time (deplaning at destination), but the next time they didn't check in (either at the gate or during boarding) they would find themselves no longer getting a free ride on my airplane.
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I would much rather talk to someone than kick them off, especially if it's a first offence. Seems like you handled it the same way I would have done it.

BobDDuck said:
Three jumpseat denials in the 6 years I was a captain. 2 were from THAT airline and didn't check in (or checked in as a pilot from the other company), and one guy who was on the list.


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That's not too many denials at all. Now that we are growing I suspect we are gonna have more jumpseaters. I need to make sure our jumpseat procedures are up to date online.
 
8 years as captain and never kicked anyone out. I only asked once that I can remember, what the deal was when someone bypassed us, and turns out the guys (in uniform) wife worked for "our" airline so he had non rev privileges.
 
Kingairer said:
Are passengers allowed to board before the pilots get there??
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Of course, and I see what you're getting at. However, I can't control, nor be held responsible for what happens on the plane before I show up (assuming I show up when I'm expected to). On the other end of the flight, if something happens on the plane during the time that someone (whose opinion matters) thinks I should've been there but wasn't, I'm probably going to have some 'splainin to do.

Plus, I choose to take responsibility for what happens on the plane until the job is completely done, but that's just me. I don't really expect everyone to feel/ do the same...
 
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Derg said:
That's your job, skipper. Address that.
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Well, that's easier said than done. The two times I've had "the talk" this year have been during deplaning... And there have been several times I haven't had the opportunity to talk to them. They didn't check in, and nobody told me about them because they had been given a seat in the back. It seems like everyone checks in except for Delta pilots, and all flight attendants... What more can I do? Should I email my jumpseat committee after the fact and say, "hey this guy jumpseated but didn't check in?"
 
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