Asking for the jumpseat and other lost traditions

ZapBrannigan said:
I guess that is where we disagree Traffic
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I think there are situations where we, as professional pilots who get paid to exercise good judgment, should use our discretion. I recently went from SLC to dtw as a Nonrev with my wife, who was jumpseating. The flight was super delayed and they had a new crew come on, minus the captain, and had boarded up so they'd be ready when he arrived. My wife checked in with the FO and asked if she could ride in the back, and he told her the situation and that he'd let the Captain know when he arrived, but he probably wouldnt want to waste time getting going. So she grabbed her seat, CA showed up and off we went with the quickness. Would some crusty captains want to see her stuff before she took her seat? Undoubtedly. Would the majority of captains be more preoccupied with getting an already boarded delayed flight out? Undoubtedly. It's all a judgment call.
 
Dan208B said:
You might consider going up to say hi to the FO at least. I had a captain the other day that was pretty upset we had a jumpseater that didn't come say hi to either of us. I don't really care in the Combi but just an FYI.
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If you're not in uniform and walk over to the forward stairs a bunch of people might come running over.
 
Dan208B said:
You might consider going up to say hi to the FO at least. I had a captain the other day that was pretty upset we had a jumpseater that didn't come say hi to either of us. I don't really care in the Combi but just an FYI.
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Good to know. I had been told otherwise my more than one alaska pilot. But I will keep that in mind next time I ride on a combi.
 
Derg said:
I can't imagine anyone NOT doing that, it's kind of weird.

Whenever I do get the very occasional "I'm taking your jumpseat" I sarcastically ask "Are you asking permission or are you telling me? Not sure if I'm sure for a line check!"
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I had a guy tell me that. I asked him where he was taking it and was he planning on returning it when he was finished with it. Wish I had a picture of his face, but he got the message.
 
Fortunately jumpseating isn't a totally lost art. I think I've only ran into one or two guys that just walk on like they own the place, and it does rub me the wrong way... Most of the jumpseaters I've had are mainline guys commuting from some small city, and they have all been great about asking for a ride, and being very gracious. I ALWAYS make it a point to ASK for a ride. It makes a more positive and respectful impression which I think is important.

Although it may seem obvious to us who care, regionals are pumping out pilots like crazy, and no one is taking the time to educate them on proper jumpseat etiquette. Then I hear stories at the hotel during sim about how a buddy from class pissed off a captain, and he was totally confused as to why. It was because of his complete lack of knowledge of proper jumpseat etiquette.... o_O

Unfortunately with this mass movement of careers in the industry comes an influx of an entirely new cultural tide in the industry which won't be fully realized for at least another 10 years.
 
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I usually stroll in like I own the place. Which of course I do... My year of flying RJs has left me with the cool, calm confidence of a seasoned aviator. I still don't know why guys at mainline get paid more, we do the exact same job after all. I block the aisle with my bags and make everyone wait while I go up front to have a chat with the flight crew. Brushing past the flight attendants with an air of importance, and without a word, I slide up to the front. The CA and FO are busy setting everything up, no matter, getting home is more important. "Hey there fellas", I say as I stroll in. A grunt from the FO and a glance from the CA as they are absorbed in their work. Looking around the flight deck I ask, "How long you two been here anyway? I can't believe they have you guys flying this POS". Now, I garner a look from the CA... I continue, "Why aren't you on an international wide body yet"? I now have their full attention. "Anyway, my name is _____ from ____ Airlines. I will be riding in the back. But I just wanted to pop in and say hello and make sure you both know if the CA keels over in cruise I'm ready to take command" I say with a smile. I turn right back around without waiting to hear their response or even shake a hand and march back towards my seat. One of the FAs moved the bags I left in the aisle. I give her a look of disgust for having the gaul to touch an airline pilot's things. The nerve. I am sure to hit as many passengers as I can with my bags as I find my seat. As I sit down, I notice I'm next to a CA from my regional. He's been with the company for a while. I make sure to express my disgust with having to sit reserve for 3 months before holding a line. And I ask him if he still thinks the upgrade will be around in 12 months when I have my time. He says something to me, but I'm not really sure he knows what he's talking about. Something about I should only upgrade if/when I'm ready. Why wouldn't I be? Anyway, I stick the ear buds that have been hanging loosely around my neck in my ears and turn my head the other way. I never want to fly with that jerk.
 
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ZapBrannigan said:
So what do you miss from the old days?
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I miss the Boeing 727
I miss being able to go to the gate even when I'm not a passenger
I miss the excitement of going to the airport
I miss United's old colors with the tulip on the tail
I miss America West, Continental, Eastern, Northwest, Ozark, Pacific Southwest, US Air, and all the airlines that are no more.
I miss the little pin on wings given to kids, and the decks of playing cards given to adults.
 
ZapBrannigan said:
I've noticed something over the last several weeks.

People don't ask for the jumpseat anymore. They TELL you they're taking it.

"Hey, I'm Joe from Trans States and they said there's plenty of seats in the back"

"Tom from United trying to get to work. You guys have a place for my bag?"

Whatever happened to the good old fashioned "hi I'm Steve from jetBlue. Mind if I hitch a ride to Boston?"

Made me think of other things I miss from the good old days. I miss blazers and hats (not wearing them mind you, but how it looked)

I miss the sound of a Dash 8 taxiing in beta.

I miss Skymall

I miss non-RNAV arrivals that didn't have 20 fixes and stepdowns

I miss bourbon chicken in Philly with my coworkers

I miss load factors of less than 80% so you could actually nonrev sometimes

So what do you miss from the old days?
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Hey, at Commutair, we can satisfy most of what you're looking for.

The blazers and hats... Well, I make no guarantees. You might get them, but after 5 legs in the northeast, you might be lucky if we're wearing a shirt...

We pretty much all commute, so we crack the whip when it comes to JS etiquette around here.

We have more Dash 8's taxiing in beta than we know what to do with.

We probably have a couple ratty Skymalls floating around in a seatback pocket or two.

We do Turboprop arrivals... I don't know if that's non-RNAV or not. I'm never on the arrival long enough to figure it out.

I don't know about this load factor thing, but we have all kinds of weight limits (stinking Canadians).
 
DPApilot said:
I'm not longer an airline guy, but I cannot stand people who assume it's theirs. I always waited until the captain gave me permission, but would also thank the first officer as well. Even if the FO said it was fine and to go grab a seat, I would wait to make sure I had permission from the Captain. It was never "I'm here guys", I would wait until they weren't busy/in a checklist and either explain that the gate had given me a seat in the back, but may I ride on your flight to XXX please? And then I would thank them. If I was up front, I would ask if it would be alright with me riding on their jumpseat. I would thank them before and after the flight as well.


Funny thing now is that I fly on paid tickets. I have airline status and end up in first most flight. I've recently had several flight attendants ask if I was an airline guy or non rev because I cross the seatbelts in my row before leaving, still.
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Thought I was the only one. We airline out and back to our airplane a decent amount. While I wont stop and ask for a ride since we're full fare, I'll always say thanks for the ride to who ever is by the door when we deplane.
 
chrisreedrules said:
I usually stroll in like I own the place. Which of course I do... My year of flying RJs has left me with the cool, calm confidence of a seasoned aviator. I still don't know why guys at mainline get paid more, we do the exact same job after all. I block the aisle with my bags and make everyone wait while I go up front to have a chat with the flight crew. Brushing past the flight attendants with an air of importance, and without a word, I slide up to the front. The CA and FO are busy setting everything up, no matter, getting home is more important. "Hey there fellas", I say as I stroll in. A grunt from the FO and a glance from the CA as they are absorbed in their work. Looking around the flight deck I ask, "How long you two been here anyway? I can't believe they have you guys flying this POS". Now, I garner a look from the CA... I continue, "Why aren't you on an international wide body yet"? I now have their full attention. "Anyway, my name is _____ from ____ Airlines. I will be riding in the back. But I just wanted to pop in and say hello and make sure you both know if the CA keels over in cruise I'm ready to take command" I say with a smile. I turn right back around without waiting to hear their response or even shake a hand and march back towards my seat. One of the FAs moved the bags I left in the aisle. I give her a look of disgust for having the gaul to touch an airline pilot's things. The nerve. I am sure to hit as many passengers as I can with my bags as I find my seat. As I sit down, I notice I'm next to a CA from my regional. He's been with the company for a while. I make sure to express my disgust with having to sit reserve for 3 months before holding a line. And I ask him if he still thinks the upgrade will be around in 12 months when I have my time. He says something to me, but I'm not really sure he knows what he's talking about. Something about I should only upgrade if/when I'm ready. Why wouldn't I be? Anyway, I stick the ear buds that have been hanging loosely around my neck in my ears and turn my head the other way. I never want to fly with that jerk.
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You forgot to close with "Livin' the Dream"

9.5/10 would still read again
 
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