Originally Posted by
CrowneVic
Exactly this.
If you were the CA, rather than spending the time and energy to post on another carrier’s thread because you were so offended, how about exercising some of that CA leadership with which you were entrusted and give the lad a proper explanation of the etiqutte expected of jumpseaters.
A gentle explanation of professional expectations would have resulted in some embarrassment on his part, but would have been far more efective than the big nothing you have achieved here.
He was wrong. But you were more so, because you let the opportunity to make a difference slip by.
Now, the bahavior goes unchanged and will be carried into the future until someone willing to exercise some leadership steps up to the plate.
End of story.
At the risk of being flamed, I believe this event is exactly the answer about all the back and forth questions about why airlines prefer military.
Monkey skills are monkey skills. Leading men and women outside of those isolated skill sets is what has always set military folks apart, officer and enlisted alike. This is the trait that airlines seek out in their hiring of future Captains.
I am willing to go out on a limb here and venture a guess this CA was not prior military.
No, I am not saying prior mil are perfect. Many are slugs. I am speaking in generalities. If the CA in this scenario were prior mil, it is much less likely any of us would be reading these posts.
Flame away!
I’ve gotten flamed a bit for apparently not giving enough of a ******* about jumpseat etiquette... I still stand by it being an antiquated and annoying process for guys who have a seat in the back, but this is spot on. You’re the CA, it’s your call on if you want to educate the guy/gal or not. That’s what being a captain entails...making your own decisions and setting the tone. If you don’t like the guys attitude then talk to them about it. I once had five guys catching a ride in the back that just got in from Europe and they were wearing their pilot pants with a white t-shirt AND told me they had seats in the back. You want to be that CA and tell them to go change into proper business attire? Go for it. I won’t ever be that guy. Posting on a forum may reach him but most likely won’t. Most jumpseaters are respectful and dress appropriately, and when a guy tells me he has a seat in the back he normally says it in a thankful tone and is appreciative for the ride. I hope none of you guys with this authoritarian attitude never go off on some poor pilot commuting home after a long day for simply stating he has a seat rather than asking for your blessing.