I can tell you from 20 years of experience that the only time you need to check in on a major carrier is when are riding up front in a jump seat. Those guys could care less if you are non-reving or whatever. Some of the commuter/regional guys are a little anal and still get a power trip over the whole check in up front. When I dead head---I never check in. First of all--it is not the Captains airplane---it is owned by a company and that company is deadheading me for a purpose. If the captain has a problem with that---he or she can take it up with the company that is providing the deadhead. I don't mean to sound disrespectful----but some of the commuter/regional drama is just that.