Asking for the jumpseat and other lost traditions

STS-41B said:
Had a captain nearly deny me the jumpseat once because I wasn't in uniform.
I was biz casual and looked professional.
"I don't appreciate your asking for a ride when you're not in uniform!"
Click to expand...

Local type. Mainline was his first civilian job. Been in base housing since 1972. Doesn't read anything the union sends out, but slavishly pours over every comma in company memos. Argued with you when you mentioned that there are 800 guys on furlough. Defended the "no jumpseat" rule back before it changed as "we're professionals here". When riding on one of his 3 jumpseat rides in his entire career, tells the 717 crew to "put in their application...you guys know we're hiring?".

But, no, I've never run into that type before...

Richman
 
STS-41B said:
Had a captain nearly deny me the jumpseat once because I wasn't in uniform.
I was biz casual and looked professional.
"I don't appreciate your asking for a ride when you're not in uniform!"

And agreed on what's been said- when I'm flying I'm frequently amazed when (typically mainline) guys walk in and announce they're riding up front.

As jumpseater, you're part of the crew. Is napping frowned upon?
I was riding on mainline once and the captain (friendly but meant it) said "there are no free rides - you're part of this crew!"
Yet as a pilot I've had a jumpsester take his seat and announce "wake me when we get there!"
And another time I was riding as one of 2 jumpseaters and the other guy was sound asleep nearly the whole way- crew never said anything to him. Yet I will fight sleep the whole way no matter how tired I may be.
Click to expand...
We'll generally offer you one of the bunks.
 
MusketeerMan said:
Does this suffice? Twice in the past 3 weeks, DL Cappy comes on and states, "Guess I'm up here with you guys". Can't imagine how that would go if roles were reversed.
Click to expand...
No, that's absolutely not going to suffice...it's really not that hard to utter a few extra words like "Might I ask y'all for a ride, please" (Please is important, because it conveys that you're actually asking for a ride...since JS-ing is a privilege, and you're the guest of the Captain)

I've had numerous times where I don't get asked for a ride, and it's easy to see you walking out to my aircraft since we don't do gate boarding...so don't be upset when I ask you after the flight if you enjoyed your ride, next time step up and actually follow the protocol of asking for a ride or find another way home/to work.

It's.Really.Not.That.Hard :bang:
 
MusketeerMan said:
Does this suffice? Twice in the past 3 weeks, DL Cappy comes on and states, "Guess I'm up here with you guys". Can't imagine how that would go if roles were reversed.
Click to expand...

Maybe we all get caught up a little to much in the semantics of "asking" for a ride. Yes, it could be implied that he was taking the jumpseat and not asking for it, or he was just joking a little and making light of the fact that he would be up front.

Short of someone saying "Im taking this jumpseat, this is my jumpseat. Ive declared Prima Nocta," maybe we can just take a breath and chill a little about the exact way every pilot should ask for a ride.

Seems like it would be easier if every pilot had a lanyard card that had a passage the would be read aloud like a cop reading a suspect their Miranda rights. "I dont have a right for this jumpseat, I would like to ride this jumpseat, anything I do from this point on will be in regards to me riding this jumpseat. I can not afford a hotel tonight so a provided jumpseat home would be greatly appreciated"
 
The Juice said:
Seems like it would be easier if every pilot had a lanyard card that had a passage the would be read aloud like a cop reading a suspect their Miranda rights. "I dont have a right for this jumpseat, I would like to ride this jumpseat, anything I do from this point on will be in regards to me riding this jumpseat. I can not afford a hotel tonight so a provided jumpseat home would be greatly appreciated"
Click to expand...

It's really simple. "Can I hitch a ride home?"

"I wonder if I could trouble you for a jumpseat?"

"Could I cramp your style for a few hours please?"

Kindergarten rules apply. "Mother may I", "please", and "thank you" go a long way. Let's not let all of the traditions go by the wayside. Some of them are good!
 
There's only been two times that I didn't ask. First was on an Alaska Combi and I couldn't get up front. Second was a United 747. Gate agent gave me a seat, but nobody would let me go upstairs to ask. I tried.

My favorite was on Spirit a few weeks after pinnacle declared bankruptcy.
Me: "Hi my name is Isaac, I'm a FO at Pinnacle..."
Captain: "Not for much longer eh?!"
Ouch.

Actually my favorite was in St Marrtin going to St Barths.
Walk up to the gate agent, "Hi my name is Isaac, I'm an airline pilot from the United States. I'd like to list for the jumpseat to St Barths if that's OK with you".
"Uh...we don't do jumpseats. But the captain is over there, if he says you can go, there's nothing I can do".

"Hi Captain, my name is Isaac, I'm an airline pilot from the United States. I'd like to list for the jumpseat to St Barths if that's OK with you".
"Well, we don't don't have CASS or anything here, and the company really doesn't want us giving rides anyways. But I'm one of the owners of the company!"

Next thing I know, I'm in the right seat diving for one of the coolest airports in the world.

471915_10150991911531591_1647112042_o.jpg
 
Derg said:
Why not just make it a habit of "Hi! I'm (whoever) can I get a ride to (whereever), here are my credentials" universally?
Click to expand...

Yes, thank you. Except can we make it ID only unless the captain asks for my license and medical and passport and note from my third grade teacher etc...?

Makes it easier to identify the tools. [emoji6]
 
ZapBrannigan said:
Yes, thank you. Except can we make it ID only unless the captain asks for my license and medical and passport and note from my third grade teacher etc...?

Makes it easier to identify the tools. [emoji6]
Click to expand...
I was riding on Delta last week from Seattle to Atlanta...Captain was super nice, and she told me that Delta's making a big push again to check medicals/licenses (I was in the process of getting them out of my bag).

I agree that it should be just ID/boarding pass that shows you're a 1W (at my airline), or a 01P/etc

and to the point made of "lightening up"...it's like a dance. You don't know if you're getting a cool crew that's relaxed/up for a joke...or the guy like @Richman was talking about that, that has nothing better to do that to be a giant pain in the arse. Gotta know your audience before you start going off "script", for lack of a better term.
 
ZapBrannigan said:
Yes, thank you. Except can we make it ID only unless the captain asks for my license and medical and passport and note from my third grade teacher etc...?

Makes it easier to identify the tools. [emoji6]
Click to expand...

I don't usually ask for license and medical. If they are CASS approved, they are active and if they have their ID, they are the right person. As a career commuter, I understand how uncomfortable it is to dig through documents while standing in the way up front.

How is the non-commuting life?
 
  • Like
Reactions: ian
SurferLucas said:
No, that's absolutely not going to suffice...it's really not that hard to utter a few extra words like "Might I ask y'all for a ride, please" (Please is important, because it conveys that you're actually asking for a ride...since JS-ing is a privilege, and you're the guest of the Captain)

I've had numerous times where I don't get asked for a ride, and it's easy to see you walking out to my aircraft since we don't do gate boarding...so don't be upset when I ask you after the flight if you enjoyed your ride, next time step up and actually follow the protocol of asking for a ride or find another way home/to work.

It's.Really.Not.That.Hard :bang:
Click to expand...
Just make sure that the person is not non revving or deadheading. Stop me afterwards when I'm deadheading, and it'll be an argument you lose.
 
PhilosopherPilot said:
I don't usually ask for license and medical. If they are CASS approved, they are active and if they have their ID, they are the right person. As a career commuter, I understand how uncomfortable it is to dig through documents while standing in the way up front.

How is the non-commuting life?
Click to expand...

It's good. I've found other thing to complain about. [emoji23]
 
Cptnchia said:
Just make sure that the person is not non revving or deadheading. Stop me afterwards when I'm deadheading, and it'll be an argument you lose.
Click to expand...
Yep, or riding on a full fare ticket. I had a DL guy out of BOI let me know that he was on one, because the previous flight he had taken on us, the captain was a bit snarky.

We have an issue with gate agents telling them 'take XX and don't bother checking with the captain', so it's best approached with a question...rather than an accusation, didn't mean for it to come off of like "Oh we have a badass over here!" :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top