diesel9driver
Well-Known Member
Forgive me if this has been done already and I'm new to the JC forums but I felt this is something that needed to be addressed. It seems like so many pilots today take the jumpseat for granted. A lot of people seem to think it's their right to jumpseat but they couldn't be more mistaken. I realize with the upgraded technology we have today including CASS and with gate agents handling most of the requests that the whole process has changed from what it once was, but there are still some rules that I feel should be followed out of professional courtesy.
Everyone else please feel free to chime in, I've just been noticing a lot of what I would call unprofessional behavior from crewmembers lately.
Fly Safe.
- The jumpseat belongs to the Captain. He is the final authority when it comes to who rides and who doesn't (contrary to what a lot of gate agents think ).
- The jumpseat is a privilege and a not a right. Remember someone is doing you a big favor by giving you a FREE ride on their airplane. If someone gave you a ride in their car down the street you'd thank them wouldn't you? You wouldn't just hop in the back and put on your ipod, right?
- You aren't granted the privilege of jumpseating until the Captain says so and signs your jumpseat form (most airlines, I realize some have done away with the tradional paper J/S forms).
- Even if you have a seat in the back, always introduce yourself to the crew when you board (even if the gate agent says you don't have to) and thank them for giving you a ride .
- If the Captain has to pull out his jumpseat list to see if your airline is on there, let him. Don't come out and say "I do this all the time". That won't matter much if he can't find your airline on the company's OAL approved jumpseat list. Just wait patiently, if you do it all the time then your airline will be on the list, right?
- Just because you fill out the jumpseat form first doesn't mean you own the seat. Someone else may have a higher priority than you, even if they showed up after you did. Take the time to learn the protocols of jumpseating.
- When you hand the Captain your credentials for approval, ask him/her what they would like to see. IE company ID, License, medical. And don't pitch a fit if they do want to see all three, remember you are getting a FREE ride.
- This one should go without saying but I have had it happen, if you are an FFDO - tell the Captain before you leave the gate.
- Don't assume if you have a seat in the back that you can "upgrade" yourself to first class. Nothing pisses off the FAs more than a jumpseater who just takes it upon himself to grab a seat in the first few rows because it looks "open up there" without asking first.
- Don't bring a ton of bags into the cockpit that you know won't fit up there. Ask the lead FA for help finding room to stow your stuff, I think you'll find most of the time they are very helpful.
- When you deplane, thank the crew again for the ride - let them know that you genuinely appreciate the ride. If the cockpit door is shut during deplaning, ask one of the FAs to thank them for you.
- Dress appropriately - no jeans, shorts, etc. I have let guys in Hawaiian shirts jumpseat but that was down in EYW (when in Rome).
- Don't crowd the gate counter, lean on the gate counter with your elbows, or pester the agent any more than necessary to get your jumpseat approval.
- Don't consume alcohol while you are jumpseating even if you have a seat in the back (you are considered and additional crew member).
- If the FA makes an announcement that they need people to move for weight and balance, be the first one standing and offering (if you aren't already in the area they are moving people to). You should move before any paying customers have to be inconvenienced.
- Don't reach over the gate counter to grab your boarding pass or anyone else's. Those boarding passes on under the control of the gate agent until he/she decides to give them to you.
- If you are pass riding (IE a Coex guy riding on CAL who filled out a J/S form but ended up with a seat in the back) then you don't have to worry about getting a signature from the CA or introducing yourself unless you just want to say hi and thank them for the flight. Know the difference between pass riding and jumpseating.
- Don't talk on your cellphone while in the cockpit. If you're still at the gate and have some time, step into the jetway and finish your conversation. And turn off your cell phone once the MCD is closed.
- Last but not least, don't take jumpseating for granted. Be thankful that the privilege exists and treat it accordingly.
Everyone else please feel free to chime in, I've just been noticing a lot of what I would call unprofessional behavior from crewmembers lately.
Fly Safe.