First, regardless of what the jumpseat agent says on the phone or what our jumpseat page shows, even at FedEx it's still up to the Captain whether you ride or not. So, I still request the jumpseat from every FX Captain.

Do they say "no"? I've never experienced it, but it has happened. Guys on check-rides have turned jumpers away. Of course, we've all heard about the 777 Captains who left our own pilots behind because the 4 operating pilots were going to be too crowded. FWIW, when I was at UAL, no one - and I mean no one - would have even considered leaving behind one of our own commuting pilots trying to get to work because it might be a bit inconvenient.

Second, I jump on pax carriers at least every other month. Typically AA or UAL and I've never been turned down by the Captain. Sure, sometimes there's no room in the cabin or the cockpit, so I go to my back-up. But the actual request for the seat isn't the distasteful experience you make it out to be. Pretty much the same as at FedEx - a friendly exchange, a request to ride and "welcome aboard".