Jumpseaters, follow the rules!

...also... even though you've met the Captain at the gate but you haven't met the FO just yet, step into the cockpit and introduce yourself to the FO! It's common courtesy!
 
Obviously, I like to help out pilots and hope the karma comes back to me. Most pilots who jumpseat a lot on OO out of SFO know to come to me when they get a gate agent who has no idea what they're doing or is sticking to a made up policy which may get the Jumpseater stuck for no reason. However, do you think I'm going to help someone who was a jerk to me when I treat all the jumpseaters like I would a paying passenger?

Example:
A) VX pilot is trying to jumpseat at another gate. I've listed him a few times and we talk about flying and he's always polite with me. A gate agent is telling him he can't jumpseat offline out of uniform.(wtf):confused: He comes to me to see if I can help, I'm busy but I walk over anyway and fix the situation and he gets on.

B) Ryan International pilot is trying to jumpseat on my flight, while I list him I start asking him how he likes the charter stuff and what he's flying over there, he tells me "You know I don't fly for RyanAIR in Europe, right?". I tell him I know who Ryan International is, and he says "Yeah, right, whatever. I'll be over there." And grabs the CASS card off the counter and walks away. Then the second check-in closes he comes up "Can I have my seat now?", flight is wide open so I just give it to him. Almost a year later, he's coming thru SFO again, CASS isn't working right and gate agent won't let him have a seat in the back. He comes to me to help since I guess he recognized me, I was busy. I told him I was busy. I saw him at the food court almost 5 hours later. Get what I'm saying?

Moral of the story, be nice. And as long as you don't piss anyone off, I guarantee at most of the hubs you'll find someone who's into flying and trying to get into 121 who can likes to help pilots and can assist you with any gate agent/CASS issues you encounter.
 
With as many threads as I've seen here in regards to gripes about jumpseat protocol I can honestly say I am slightly scared and intimidated to ever use the damn thing if I am every in a position to.

It's really not that hard especially if it's you alone (nobody "fighting" for it). Just follow standard social norms when somebody is doing you a favor.

On a separate note I've had very few bad experiences either working a flight or asking for a JS ride. My pet peeve would be mainline FAs riding on us (their regional partner). No mam, you do not "own us," and yes we do have different operational procedures regarding the seat. Pilots seem to understand the JS norms a little better than their FA counterparts.
 
It's really not that hard especially if it's you alone (nobody "fighting" for it). Just follow standard social norms when somebody is doing you a favor.

On a separate note I've had very few bad experiences either working a flight or asking for a JS ride. My pet peeve would be mainline FAs riding on us (their regional partner). No mam, you do not "own us," and yes we do have different operational procedures regarding the seat. Pilots seem to understand the JS norms a little better than their FA counterparts.

While we're on the topic, do you Expressjet and ASA guys know that as UAX pilots, you share time of checkin priority with UAL guys on Skywest, RAH, and Mesa? I believe the UAL computer system puts you below UAL guys no matter what time you check in, but on those three airlines it's time of checkin and the gate agents/CA's should know that.
 
Can't say that I miss being able to jumpseat. I use ZED fares or I buy a ticket now and it seems so much easier.
 
Never ever tell the Captain, "I'll be sitting in your jumpseat", or "I'll be riding in the back." Your are a guest hoping to ride for free ride so always ask the Captain is you can get a ride. It may seem like a minor difference, but it's not in my book.

I'm not even a captain so this ain't no power trip.
 
Hence the irony of the your answers.... ;)

Well, commuting can be an acceptable risk. Hell, I commute from PHX to JFK and it's not for everyone.

The problem occurs when people consider commuting an absolute job benefit and the jumpseat as a right bestowed by the gods of aviation! :)
 
Living is base is where it's at.

There are compelling reasons to commute, I suppose, but you'd have to make allowances for it.
 
I've wondered about this since you moved. What does your typical commute consist of and how hard is it to accomplish?


When I moved two years ago I did it regardless of where I was based. I did it strictly for personal reasons. I hope to stay in Austin the rest of my life because it is what I want. I'm not going to move for this career.

With that said, my commute is easy. There are three nonstops a day between here and my base, three additional to JFK. Not to many pilots commute between AUS and my base, mostly flight attendants. Who knows where I do end up in my career, however, one great thing about living here is it is in the center of the country and nonstops everywhere. If I get based in NYC or LAX it is pretty much the same distance wise. Another HUGE advantage is that the gates agents in AUS all are super nice and are really accommodating to commuters. The ones in base I've never had issues with as a lot of them work our flights.

Best decision of my life moving.
 
...also... even though you've met the Captain at the gate but you haven't met the FO just yet, step into the cockpit and introduce yourself to the FO! It's common courtesy!

Eh, I never do. The FO is usually busy programming the box or doing the preflight, so I don't bother him. It's the captain's airplane, so if he says I can ride up at the gate, I usually just go to my seat. I might stop and say hi to the FO on the way out when I thank the captain for the ride again, but that's about it.

Oh, and if at all possible, follow Seggy's advice. I commuted for over five years, but I'm based at home now, and you couldn't pay me enough to commute again. That one little change improved by quality of life ten fold. I could live in a hell hole and be much happier than living in paradise and having to commute to work.
 
Eh, I never do. The FO is usually busy programming the box or doing the preflight, so I don't bother him. It's the captain's airplane, so if he says I can ride up at the gate, I usually just go to my seat. I might stop and say hi to the FO on the way out when I thank the captain for the ride again, but that's about it.


I absolutely disagree.

Always say hi to the FO if at all possible. At DL theres a 50% chance the FO isn't the one programming the box. :)
 
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