MusicPilot

I'm just curious as to how many pilots have been left behind because pilots occupying the Jumpseat either wouldn't offer to sit in the flt attendant's Jumpseat (if permitted) or refused when asked by the gate agent. I myself believe in no one left behind, but it appears there are some pilots that believe who cares who's left behind as long as they get on.

Bucking Bar

I regularly "get out of the way" and will do so even when travelling company business positive space. Sometimes the Flight Attendants don't care for the practice. Bribes (chocolates) help facilitate the cabin situation. But, IMHO more jumpseaters need to carry bribes and help. It is kinda unfair to give up your seat and go find goodies to try to help a guy who sometimes acts entitled.

DALMD88FO

I agree about jumpseaters helping jumpseaters, however carrying bribes is a personal choice. I used to do it, but it's not necessary. Some FA's have actually come to expect it if we use their jumpseat, forgetting that it is actually the Captains jumpseat.

lolwut

All those seats are owned by the airline and controlled by the captain. Flight attendants shouldn't have a say and nobody should ever have to "bribe" to be in a jumpseat. It is a reciprocal agreement. Your "thank you" should be your willingness to take jumpseaters on your aircraft, not candy or anything like that.

I also find it insane that some flight attendant groups have successfully blocked pilots from using their jumpseats. Its a seat on the airplane. They say... they can't sit in the cockpit so we can't sit in their seats. They need to realize that the cockpit is a work environment critical to flight safety. They're not trained to be in there and have no purpose there. Their jumpseats, on the other hand, are just really uncomfortable seats in the cabin with all the passengers. It isn't an equal situation.

f10a

With load factors at record highs 80-95% I wonder how the future of commuting is going to play out. It is getting absolutely ridiculous trying to commute these days and cannot remember the last time I rode on a plane with empty seats.

Bucking Bar

What I'm trying to say, is it sucks to:
1) Try to help someone out, so
2) You give up your seat
3) You make the Flight Attendant "testy" ... and
4) You have to find something to try to smooth the situation over, and
5) The guy you were trying to help (and taking the heat for) has an attitude like:Not that you have a bad attitude at all. Just saying if guys like me are going to try to help jumpseaters, then try to help us help you. I'm a junior FO with a good internet connection. It's easy for me to beat you to a jumpseat, but hard for me to talk to a Flight Attendant about "Captain's authority" when frankly she could go get a rating, get experience, get hired at a less stagnant airline and make Captain before I ever will.

The Original Poster was making a point about guys like me. I'm saying, be considerate and help us help you.

crewdawg52

I've sat in the F/A jumpseat many times before. BUT, I will always ask the lead if it's ok first, then the F/A I have to sit next to. Bribes, wont do it.

Hovernut

JetBlue used to be my saving grace commuting out of JFK with the 3 FA j/s's in the back. That was until the TSA flunkie got caught in the seat and the FAA in typical 'knee-jerk' action took it away from pilots. It always amused me afterwards that I could sit in the more flight-critical cockpit j/s, but not the FA j/s. Typical government nannies.

I had a few instances commuting on DL out of DTW where the j/s'er had no interest in helping out a fellow DCI commuter who couldn't sit in the FA j/s by DL company procedure. I understand it's because we're not qual'd on the doors? Well, what about an Airbus pilot sitting in a 757 FA j/s? Are OAL FA's allowed on the FA j/s's? I think any qualified crewmember would be an asset to be in any of the open seats!

Mesabah

Haha, yes, women had power over men, and then we invented the Ferrero Rocher. They get you the jumpseat, first class, a wife.....

LoudFastRules

I use them often on my commutes and they do help.