I’m sure there’s tons of past threads on jumpseating, but I’m gonna bring this up in-case it hasn’t or has happened to others.

So my understanding is UAL JS policy is all non-UAL pilots list at gate and it’s UAL, then first come-first serve priority among UAX pilots, then other offline. I’m UAX and first in line at the gate 1:10 mins prior at ORD, present myself to the counter only to be told by the agent that he isn’t working this gate and to check back when the “official” agent arrives. Behind me is an Air Wisc FO in uniform (me not in uniform but who cares), and at his turn he tells this agent he’s trying to do the same thing as me. We both step aside, part and wait (but you know jumpseaters are always sly-wonder-eying for others). 10 mins later they change gates...not a short walk lol. And guess who bolted & is now in front of me.

I was a bit irked. It wasn’t a dire situation cause I knew I would get on anyways, but had it been a battle of only 1 seat remains, who gets the seat based on first come? Maybe I really wasn’t first anymore? How does this jumseating game/battle work nowadays? (I’ve got lots of 121 time in a past life, took a break during the lost decade, and doing what everyone else is now with the positive industry trend). I would’ve had the professional courtesy to not be selfless because karma will bite me in the butt despite the urge to get home. Sigh...I guess I’ll have lots of great TMAAT answers at a mainline interview if they care. Is professional courtesy old school stuff that’s not understood nowadays??