At Delta and Continental (I can't remember what AirTran is like) you are only jumpseating if you actually sit in the cockpit. Otherwise, you are issued a boarding pass with a seat number = non-rev.
Hmm, on Continental Connection (not sure how it's done on mainline), jumpseater ONLY sits in the cockpit if there's no seats in the back.
To rephrase, At DAL and CAL you not considered a jumpseater if you have a seat assignment and you ride in the back. No need to check in with the captain and free to booze it up.
I try to use my own judgment when jumpseating, and I find that most cockpit crews appreciate the break from the norm. I'll usually push past the head waiter errrr lead FA without saying anything. While eating a bucket of BBQ ribs and drinking a tall boy of PBR I'll slap the Capt on the back (leaving a huge hand print in the process) and let him know where I feel like sitting. I'll then proceed to tell him that I hope Colgan will pick up some used Russian transports that we can use on these routes. Sure you might lose your job but I'll have another type rating. Then I put out my cigarette in his coffee and head to first class.
I said "Hi again guys looks like it's all filled up in the back and the gate agent has me riding up front." I realize this was informal, but I felt like I had already introduced myself to the crew. Normally I wouldn't be so colloquial.
The capt just said "No you're not, step out here with me." I went to the gate with him and he told me "Don't assume that you're going to ride in my cockpit."
I try to use my own judgment when jumpseating, and I find that most cockpit crews appreciate the break from the norm. I'll usually push past the head waiter errrr lead FA without saying anything. While eating a bucket of BBQ ribs and drinking a tall boy of PBR I'll slap the Capt on the back (leaving a huge hand print in the process) and let him know where I feel like sitting. I'll then proceed to tell him that I hope Colgan will pick up some used Russian transports that we can use on these routes. Sure you might lose your job but I'll have another type rating. Then I put out my cigarette in his coffee and head to first class.
Seriously though.
I've only had one bad experience jump seating and that was on JetBlue (I've also had my best experience's jumpseating on JB also). I was using them for a flight from SFO to JFK. While going through security I noticed a JB crew so I introduced myself and asked them if they were flying to JFK. The capt didn't say anything to me but the FO said yeah. Turns out he was former pinnacle so we talked about my parent organization and walked to the gate together (along with the silent Capt).
When the flight time came it was a completely full flight. The gate agent cleared me through CASS and handed me my jumpseat ticket. I introduced myself to the lead and asked permission to speak to the crew. She cleared me through so I stepped up front. From here I had my company ID, Ticket, and Certificate in hand. I said "Hi again guys looks like it's all filled up in the back and the gate agent has me riding up front." I realize this was informal, but I felt like I had already introduced myself to the crew. Normally I wouldn't be so colloquial.
The capt just said "No you're not, step out here with me." I went to the gate with him and he told me "Don't assume that you're going to ride in my cockpit." I immediately apologized and said I didn't mean it like that. He walked away to berate the gate agent and came back and told me I could have a seat in the FA's jumpseat. I apologized again and said I would sit anywhere and I was just grateful for the ride.
Otherwise I've had a lot of fun and met some interesting people jump seating in various types of aircraft over the last few years.
Thanks for the compliment Germb, I usually don't think anyone's reading my stuff. Nope, just a Colgan pilot Bandit.
At Delta and Continental (I can't remember what AirTran is like) you are only jumpseating if you actually sit in the cockpit. Otherwise, you are issued a boarding pass with a seat number = non-rev.
I'm not sure about CO, but I think Doug or another Delta person can chime in on this -- I'm 99% sure this is not true. Next time you jumpseat on DL and get assigned in the cabin, goto the back of the plane and look at the load manifest the flight attendants get. It will list all the pax, and whether they are platinum/gold/silver/NRSA/XCM. Your name will be listed as an XCM, not NSRA.
I've had captains tell me to "tell the FA to comp all your drinks!!", and usually FA's will always offer you drinks.. However, it's best to just say no thanks...
I have to say as well that Jetblue has some great crews and have enjoyed jumpseating on them as well.
I'm surprised you even jumpseated on a non-alpa carrier.
Better safe than sorry - I always check up front and ask permission if I may take the seat in the back, and thank them for it.
What annoys the most - Middle age guy flight attendants that check through all of your paperwork before you get to see the guys up front and ask. Just last week I was coming onto the plane with everything in hand and I asked if I could say hello to the Captain. He replied , " Not without showing me all of your credentials first", and said it quite sternly. I think he was offended that I didn't automatically hand him my stuff even though it was out in hand. He then proceeded to look at my crew id, passport, and medical and checked me out to make sure my pictures matched. I've had my stuff checked out by the captain once in the last 7 to 8 months, but the middle age male flight attendant type has checked my stuff at least 7 or 8 times. lame.
I'm a Delta pilot and commuted for a while. On our manifest in the cockpit (AWABS) a jumpseater is only listed for the jumpseat if he is actually sitting in it. Otherwise, you are considered non-rev.
Now, if when you go down the jetway and you don't know if there will be a seat in the back yet (ie: you don't have a seat assignment on your boarding card) then you must check in up front and wait it out.