AirTran not allowing offline Dispatch to Flight Deck Jumpseat

Were there seats in the back? It's a common policy to not allow OAL jumpseaters if a cabin seat exists in the back.
 
I had the same experience
when I had to get to work
said dispatchers could not ride
in the front. Never been an issue
before asked gate agent to check
on it
 
Where do you guys work? That's definitely strange but it may have to do with the incident, obviously.
 
No seats in the back... I wasn't going to fight it but makes me think if the crews aren't trying to CYA because of the Branson flight and "distractions"
 
FlightController said:
No seats in the back... I wasn't going to fight it but makes me think if the crews aren't trying to CYA because of the Branson flight and "distractions"
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I call shenanigans. I think they just didn't know and didn't bother to check. Which from past experience is really unlike FL. If you actually got past the gate agent with boarding documents then there hasn't been a policy change.
 
McCrosky said:
I call shenanigans. I think they just didn't know and didn't bother to check. Which from past experience is really unlike FL. If you actually got past the gate agent with boarding documents then there hasn't been a policy change.
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NOT a policy change. You simply had bad luck with agents that didn't know. You SHOULD of said something.

And no where was it stated that the Branson Dispatcher was a distraction. To imply that the pilots turned you down because you "may" of been a distraction is just plane nuts.
 
FlightController said:
Thanks - once again, I wasn't going to fight it but really got under my skin.
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Yeah I would contact the SWA Jumpseat Coordinator. I have their contact info if you'd like. They may not care but then again it does make them look kinda bad. I'm not sure if AirTran still has different coordinator, though.
 
FlightController said:
Thanks - once again, I wasn't going to fight it but really got under my skin.
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The only thing that I can think of that would have stopped you from sitting in the jumpseat would be the lack of a reciprocating jumpseat agreement between AirTran and whatever airline you work for. That has been a hinder for a select few carriers.
 
SWA said:
NOT a policy change. You simply had bad luck with agents that didn't know. You SHOULD of said something.

And no where was it stated that the Branson Dispatcher was a distraction. To imply that the pilots turned you down because you "may" of been a distraction is just plane nuts.
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Glad to hear there hasn't been a policy change, and FWIW I know some fellow dispatchers who have jumped on SWA without any issues since that incident. However, while Branson and the dispatcher being on board hasn't been stated officially as a contributing factor to that incident, it may be in the back of some crews' minds.

Also, if you're an offline jumpseater and get denied boarding - it's usually not worth making a big scene over it. I have protested calmly once or twice and been successful, but not every time. If a crew and/or gate agent were to keep insisting I wasn't authorized, I'd just say thank you and be on my way rather than potentially being "blacklisted" by that carrier.
 
manniax said:
Branson and the dispatcher being on board hasn't been stated officially as a cause, but it may be in the back of some crews' minds. Also, if you're an offline jumpseater and get denied boarding - it's usually not worth making a big scene over it. I have protested calmly once or twice and been successful, but not every time. If a crew and/or gate agent were to keep insisting I wasn't authorized, I'd just say thank you and be on my way rather than potentially being "blacklisted" by that carrier.
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True as well
 
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