Atlas Jumpseat Update regarding China

Screaming_Emu

Well-Known Member
Just got this from our union regarding jumpseating on Atlas to/from China. Figured I’d help get the word out.


From the Jumpseat Committee,

In light of the Novel Coronavirus, outbreak, there have been questions regarding the acceptance of Other Airline Employees (OAL) riding on our jumpseats. Discussion between the Union and the Company has resulted in the following TEMPORARY changes agreed upon by both the Union and Company.

NOTE: THIS AFFECTS BOTH OAL AND COMPANY (ATLAS AIR) PILOTS. THIS IS FOR JUMPSEAT ONLY AND NOT DEADHEAD.

1. Starting 19 February 2020 at 0000z, OAL and Company Pilot jumpseats will NOT be allowed out of or into The People’s Republic of China. This temporary suspension of the Jumpseat is for ALL destinations that Atlas/Polar Air currently serves and any potential future destinations within The People’s Republic of China.

2. For all other destinations, Captain's will reference the following mandatory procedures:
a. Captain will query the OAL and Company Pilot Jumpseater if they have visited or transited mainland China, regardless of time spent on the ground, in the previous 14 days as either a visitor or crew. If the OAL Jumpseater or Company Pilot states YES, then the jumpseat request will be denied.
b. Captain will then make a cursory examination of the OAL and Company Pilot Jumpseaters' passport to verify that no China entry has occurred in the previous 14 days.

3. For all other situations not covered in (1) or (2), the Captain will retain complete control of their Jumpseat and the authority of FAR § 121.547(4): (4) "Any person who has the permission of the pilot in command, an appropriate management official of the part 119 certificate holder and the Administrator. Paragraph (a)(2) of this section does not limit the emergency authority of the pilot in command to exclude any person from the flightdeck in the interests of safety."

This new temporary suspension is for the health and welfare of our crewmembers and is in line with both FAA and CDC recommendations. Additionally, since the Novel Coronavirus situation is fluid, additional suspensions may be forthcoming in the interest of the welfare of our crewmembers' safety.”
 
It's funny, we're all still flying rubber dog s.. in and out of there, but we're now going to deny jumpseats to each other? I very rarely jumpseat so I'm not worried about it, but I can see it getting ugly. How long until other airlines start checking our passports for Chinese stamps? I'm glad I'm choosing not to do any of that flying.
 
Interesting. I wonder if all airlines will follow suit and deny jumpseats to you guys if you have visited China. These things get petty sometimes.
This is the company. Not the pilot's or Union. I suspect it will effect almost no one at all.

But yes, they probably should ban us from the jumpseat if we've been to Winnie the Pooh land in 14 days.

So jumpseaters are no go but you guys still fly to the People's Republic?
We can opt out.
 
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