Can you be rude to the PAX when jumpseating offline?

ljg

ljg

Well-Known Member
Hey all, I just wanted to share a story and ask if you all would have done anything different. Here's the scenario:

Christmas morning, just got off a long duty night (fly freight 135 in the NE) and onto a flight home to the family (won't name the airline, but we have a recip agreement with them). I check in with the Captain, ask for a ride and receive the blessing. I notice the FO has got the MEL book open and is actively working on something. My seat is in the emergency row, which is open except for one guy, and there is one open seat at the rear of the airplane. The entire rest of the airplane is full. I take a sit and literally in a matter of a few short minutes I am snoozing. Then I get a tap on the shoulder...

"Does this flight have pillows?"; it's the unfriendly-looking foreign man sitting next to me. I know the game so I try to be really polite. "I don't know if they have pillows on here sir, but when the flight attendant walks by I'll try and ask for you, if you'd like." No response. "Why haven't we left the gate yet? I hate this! XXX Airline is the worst." My response: "I'm really not sure. I'm a passenger on here just like you. Hopefully we'll be out shortly." Then the captain comes on the PA, and says they are wrapping up a MX item, and will leave shortly. I can tell this doesn't sit well with this dude.

I fall into a stooper and sleep for 1.5 seconds when the inevitable second tap on the shoulder occurs. "Where are you flying to? Who do you work for? Why are you on this flight?" I try to reverse this rapid-fire succession by asking him one quick question: "Where are you headed today?" "ME? I'm going to Des Moines. I hate DSM, it is the worst airport ever."...Slight pause, then in a louder and more irritated tone: "We're 2 minutes late, you see, we haven't left yet. This airline has the worst service ever; they stink. I hate this airline. I always spend the most money for the best flight, and I normally fly on brand YYY. This plane stinks. Why haven't we left yet? I've written the CEO about this, and all MGMt. Management here is stupid, they're too chicken#### to write back." ....

...This continues on for *literally* the next 5 minutes. I can feel the passengers stares around me as to how I am going to handle this situation. So what am I really thinking? I don't give a rat's ass about this guy's opinion. I am tired from a long night of flying, it is Christmas morning, and this guy is b*tching up a storm. He obviously doesn't celebrate Christmas but is ruining the mood in a 3-row vicinity. I've already told him that I don't work for the airline in question. But I remind him again. He starts to go into his writing the CEO speech again.

Now I'm mad. I want to tell this guy what I'm really thinking of him, but I am a guest on this flight. I bite my tongue. I remain calm, and let him vent. But he still continues. After 2 more minutes, all I can think about is the seat in the back. I've got a whole paragraph in my head that I'm ready to spew at this guy. It would have been polite, concise, and direct enough for him to shut the hell up for the entire rest of the flight. But considering the circumstance, I didn't know if it was my place. It is right then that I glance up at the lead FA.

How would you guys handle this situation? How far can you go when you're an offline jumpseater and dealing with moody PAX? I don't want to sever any agreements our company has with anybody. Would you have stood up and taken the rear seat??? Thanks for your opinions. :)
 
Were you wearing a monkey suit or something? How'd he know you were a pilot?

And me - for all the tough talk some people might say they'd say - I think you did the right thing and would have done the same.
 
"Sir, I appreciate that you're not terribly pleased with this flight. Now, I've been working all night and I would really like to get some sleep. Would you mind terribly if I nodded off for a while and maybe we can continue this conversation when I awake? Thanks very much."

And if he doesn't leave you alone, get up, head for the other seat, and make sure to fart in his face as you pass.
 
Don't ever be rude when offline jumpseating. Diffuse the situation and/or ignore the passenger.
 
ljg said:
Hey all, I just wanted to share a story and ask if you all would have done anything different. Here's the scenario:

Christmas morning, just got off a long duty night (fly freight 135 in the NE) and onto a flight home to the family (won't name the airline, but we have a recip agreement with them). I check in with the Captain, ask for a ride and receive the blessing. I notice the FO has got the MEL book open and is actively working on something. My seat is in the emergency row, which is open except for one guy, and there is one open seat at the rear of the airplane. The entire rest of the airplane is full. I take a sit and literally in a matter of a few short minutes I am snoozing. Then I get a tap on the shoulder...

"Does this flight have pillows?"; it's the unfriendly-looking foreign man sitting next to me. I know the game so I try to be really polite. "I don't know if they have pillows on here sir, but when the flight attendant walks by I'll try and ask for you, if you'd like." No response. "Why haven't we left the gate yet? I hate this! XXX Airline is the worst." My response: "I'm really not sure. I'm a passenger on here just like you. Hopefully we'll be out shortly." Then the captain comes on the PA, and says they are wrapping up a MX item, and will leave shortly. I can tell this doesn't sit well with this dude.

I fall into a stooper and sleep for 1.5 seconds when the inevitable second tap on the shoulder occurs. "Where are you flying to? Who do you work for? Why are you on this flight?" I try to reverse this rapid-fire succession by asking him one quick question: "Where are you headed today?" "ME? I'm going to Des Moines. I hate DSM, it is the worst airport ever."...Slight pause, then in a louder and more irritated tone: "We're 2 minutes late, you see, we haven't left yet. This airline has the worst service ever; they stink. I hate this airline. I always spend the most money for the best flight, and I normally fly on brand YYY. This plane stinks. Why haven't we left yet? I've written the CEO about this, and all MGMt. Management here is stupid, they're too chicken#### to write back." ....

...This continues on for *literally* the next 5 minutes. I can feel the passengers stares around me as to how I am going to handle this situation. So what am I really thinking? I don't give a rat's ass about this guy's opinion. I am tired from a long night of flying, it is Christmas morning, and this guy is b*tching up a storm. He obviously doesn't celebrate Christmas but is ruining the mood in a 3-row vicinity. I've already told him that I don't work for the airline in question. But I remind him again. He starts to go into his writing the CEO speech again.

Now I'm mad. I want to tell this guy what I'm really thinking of him, but I am a guest on this flight. I bite my tongue. I remain calm, and let him vent. But he still continues. After 2 more minutes, all I can think about is the seat in the back. I've got a whole paragraph in my head that I'm ready to spew at this guy. It would have been polite, concise, and direct enough for him to shut the hell up for the entire rest of the flight. But considering the circumstance, I didn't know if it was my place. It is right then that I glance up at the lead FA.

How would you guys handle this situation? How far can you go when you're an offline jumpseater and dealing with moody PAX? I don't want to sever any agreements our company has with anybody. Would you have stood up and taken the rear seat??? Thanks for your opinions. :)
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Hmmmm. yet they continue to purchase seats at that same airline. Curious??:confused:
 
ljg said:
Hey all, I just wanted to share a story and ask if you all would have done anything different. Here's the scenario:

Christmas morning, just got off a long duty night (fly freight 135 in the NE) and onto a flight home to the family (won't name the airline, but we have a recip agreement with them). I check in with the Captain, ask for a ride and receive the blessing. I notice the FO has got the MEL book open and is actively working on something. My seat is in the emergency row, which is open except for one guy, and there is one open seat at the rear of the airplane. The entire rest of the airplane is full. I take a sit and literally in a matter of a few short minutes I am snoozing. Then I get a tap on the shoulder...

"Does this flight have pillows?"; it's the unfriendly-looking foreign man sitting next to me. I know the game so I try to be really polite. "I don't know if they have pillows on here sir, but when the flight attendant walks by I'll try and ask for you, if you'd like." No response. "Why haven't we left the gate yet? I hate this! XXX Airline is the worst." My response: "I'm really not sure. I'm a passenger on here just like you. Hopefully we'll be out shortly." Then the captain comes on the PA, and says they are wrapping up a MX item, and will leave shortly. I can tell this doesn't sit well with this dude.

I fall into a stooper and sleep for 1.5 seconds when the inevitable second tap on the shoulder occurs. "Where are you flying to? Who do you work for? Why are you on this flight?" I try to reverse this rapid-fire succession by asking him one quick question: "Where are you headed today?" "ME? I'm going to Des Moines. I hate DSM, it is the worst airport ever."...Slight pause, then in a louder and more irritated tone: "We're 2 minutes late, you see, we haven't left yet. This airline has the worst service ever; they stink. I hate this airline. I always spend the most money for the best flight, and I normally fly on brand YYY. This plane stinks. Why haven't we left yet? I've written the CEO about this, and all MGMt. Management here is stupid, they're too chicken#### to write back." ....

...This continues on for *literally* the next 5 minutes. I can feel the passengers stares around me as to how I am going to handle this situation. So what am I really thinking? I don't give a rat's ass about this guy's opinion. I am tired from a long night of flying, it is Christmas morning, and this guy is b*tching up a storm. He obviously doesn't celebrate Christmas but is ruining the mood in a 3-row vicinity. I've already told him that I don't work for the airline in question. But I remind him again. He starts to go into his writing the CEO speech again.

Now I'm mad. I want to tell this guy what I'm really thinking of him, but I am a guest on this flight. I bite my tongue. I remain calm, and let him vent. But he still continues. After 2 more minutes, all I can think about is the seat in the back. I've got a whole paragraph in my head that I'm ready to spew at this guy. It would have been polite, concise, and direct enough for him to shut the hell up for the entire rest of the flight. But considering the circumstance, I didn't know if it was my place. It is right then that I glance up at the lead FA.

How would you guys handle this situation? How far can you go when you're an offline jumpseater and dealing with moody PAX? I don't want to sever any agreements our company has with anybody. Would you have stood up and taken the rear seat??? Thanks for your opinions. :)
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Get used to it. This isn't the last time something like this will happen in your career, just be happy you got a free ride home.
 
I had this one smelly nasty biker dude complain about XYZ Airline that I was non-revving on for about 30 minutes into the flight. I just went along with it hoping that he'd shut up. I probably let him go too long, but eventually he stopped.

Never be rude to the passengers - you can tactfully get them to "shut up" by letting them know politely that you had a long day at work and need to sleep.
 
I would have closed my eyes until we reached 10K....then I would put my music on and sleep as long as I could.
 
You did good! I might have reached up and rung "his" FA call button. When the FA arrived, mention to her that this gentleman has some questions regarding this flight. Then as others have said, do the ear plugs or headset routine and ignore him. You are under no obligation to be his sounding board. This is just one example of why I NEVER travel or commute in a uniform.
The fact that you are even thinking about the implications of your behavior while a guest is a nice thing.
 
I would have told him I don't know anything about airplanes. I bought the shirt at goodwill. Then ask if he ever saw the movie "Catch Me If You Can?" Then pretend I was asleep.
Shane
 
Was this guy in the exit row? Doesn't sound like he'd be too willing to follow FA instructions, ESPECIALLY from that airline. :)
 
killbilly said:
"Sir, I appreciate that you're not terribly pleased with this flight. Now, I've been working all night and I would really like to get some sleep. Would you mind terribly if I nodded off for a while and maybe we can continue this conversation when I awake? Thanks very much."

And if he doesn't leave you alone, get up, head for the other seat, and make sure to fart in his face as you pass.
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LOL..I like that answer, but.....

ajf005 said:
I would have never opened my eyes the second time and pretended like I was sleeping the entire rest of the flight :)
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....the above is usually my standard operating procedure when I'm stuck next to a butt head
 
I appreciate the way you acted J. Thanks for representing our pilot group in a respectful manner, not that I expected any less from you.
 
Ear plugs and pretending to sleep is the way to go. Plus, I naturally look mean and in a bad mood. I rarely ever have that problem with passengers.:)
 
Sounds like you handled it well! If it was me I wouldn't have even let myself get annoyed because I would have stopped talking to the guy. The general rule that I use is anytime I'm on company business, especially in uniform I remember that I'm representing both my airline and all airlines in general. The number of times I've had PAX start complaining to me about other airlines is crazy. I will never say anything about another company or comment on something that I wouldn't want said or commented on about mine. That can keep you outa trouble.
 
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