Originally Posted by
Swedish Blender
The policy was made before limited/unlimited cabin jumpseats were available. AA/AE pilots are required to ride in the back (on passes) to allow offline riders like yourself to jumpseat. You could just say thanks.
That is incorrect. A pilot may take the jumpseat, CA permitting, at anytime. There is no requirement that you ride in back if there are seats available. The Gate Agent telling you that is mitaken.
F*PSM/TVL/JUMPSEAT lists all the files regarding jumpseating.