Big3win

It seems some have forgotten that jumpseating is a privilege and not a right. Just because the gate agent has given you a boarding pass and a seat assignment still doesn't guarantee you are getting a ride. Remember the Captain has the authority on who rides and who doesn't. If you are an offline guy and a online guy writes a pass to help you out....don't take a first class seat while the online guy is stuck in a middle coach seat. Sit in coach, offer him/her the first class seat or stay on the jumpseat. (Use your head). I know each carrier is a little different in jumpseat policies...with that said here are the rules that will work on most carriers.
1. Introduce yourself to the Captain
2. Politely ask if you could ride the jumpseat (regardless if you have a boarding pass with a seat assignment).
3. Have your airline ID,license,medical ready.
4. And don't be dressed as if you just came from a Van Halen concert.
5. Stay out of the way. Jetbridge is a good location.

Pretty simple stuff......If you don't like jumpseat protocol....drive.

undflyboy06

Very good post Big3Win. I remember a few instances where the Capt and I knew we had a jumpseater on board. It always annoyed me when the individual would walk up to the entrance of the cockpit an instead of turning left to say hi, turned right and walked down the isle. I always considered that to be extremely rude. Some of the captains I flew with had some nice choice of words for that individual.

Eric Stratton

I know of 1 airline that doesn't require this anymore.

If the flight attendants offer a first class seat to the jump seater, why can't he take it?

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HoursHore

Even if the Airline does not require Capt's permission with a boarding pass, we as pilots should always ask. To not do so tacitly contributes to management's attempts to erode Capt's authority.

freezingflyboy

As much as people beat the dead horse about etiquette for jumpseaters, how about some etiquette for the captain providing the jumpseat? I mean, I'm an irregular but frequent jumpseater (don't commute) and when I do jumpseat, I try and follow all the rules, kiss everyone's ass, blah blah blah. But there are at least 2 instances in recent memory where a captain I was trying to jumpseat with (both times on CAL) was extremely rude and condescending towards me. One conversation went like this:

I approached the cockpit to introduce myself, boarding pass, ID and certificate in hand. He just glares at me and asks "Do you have a seat in the back?" To which I reply "Uh, yes sir. The gate agent gave me a seat but I wanted to stop in and introduce myself." His response? "I would have neither known nor cared that you were back there." And he turns back around, effectively ending the conversation. I tell him thanks for the ride anyway and that I would rather have him know and not care then care and not know before i head back to my seat, totally dumbfounded.

The other guy just about threw me off into the jetway because when I knocked on the cockpit door I said "Hey guys" and not "Excuse me Captain, vaunted Skygod who hath dominion over all within this metal tube" or some BS. (I exaggerate but he literally took offense and almost threw me off because I said "hey guys" and not "excuse me, Captain?" when I approached the cockpit.)

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syd111

JMo, but it seems like alpa doesn't want the Captain to have much say in who rides the jumpseat as they seem to think it can turn into a political issue. Like Majors not allowing regional pilots for an ex. I do not see alpa fighting at all for Captains Authority. Next time someone doesn't ask permision or shows up dressed like a slob throw them off and see how fast your phone rings from the js coordinator asking why and then having them explain to you how important js is to everybody. It isn't that important to you unles you live away from your base. I do agree with the original post that many people take it for granted as a right.

Lambourne

Recently I was riding on a pass, in uniform, commuting home from a trip on TSA. Took my seat and slept most of the way home. On arrival I waited until everyone else had passed my seat and walked to the front to deplane. As I passed the Captain was looking down the aisle and I said "thanks for the ride". His faced contorted to a sneer and said something about "jumpseaters...." I had just flown an all-nighter and didn't fully hear what he said. I said "thanks" again, and he said; "F-ing mainline jumpseaters have no class". This I heard clearly. Tired but not wanting bad blood I went back to the cockpit and said; "Hey, I just want to let you know I was not jumpseating, I was on a regular pass and have commuted my whole life and appreciate all the rides and always check in with you guys if I am jumpseating." The guy would not look at me, he just stared straight ahead and fumed. The poor F/O looked like he was on day 8 of a 2 day trip with this guy. I shook my head and left. Grabbed my bag, went home and slept nicely.

L

MAXforwardspeed

I second that thought! Except mine was on UAL. I got chewed out by the captain who then found out later that I checked in with the first officer. He apologized to me after the flight but too late it left a bad taste in my mouth for UAL pilots.

eaglefly

Neither of the above examples is (nor should be taken) as indicative of every pilot at those carriers. Every carrier has its share of 10%ers.

It would be just as erronous for me to villify ALL AA pilots based on one emotionally disturbed eightball who posts on this forum.

Big3win

It appears you are one of us that don't "get it".
It makes no difference what the airline policy is....If you are jumpseating ask the Captain PERIOD. If you get a smartass response from the Captain deal with it. (He may be a jerk, oh well). As for the FA offering a 1st class seat as the online guy that helped you out is in the middle seat in coach. Politely decline and inform them about other guy stuck in back. Use common sense!