Originally Posted by
casual observer
I'm asking because I don't understand.
In the example, where the guy books the jumpseat and then takes an earlier nonrev and cancels the jumpseat reservation - didn't he open that jumpseat for another pilot, by filling a nonrev seat that may have gone out empty?
No, because by day of that other pilot has likely already made alternative plans. He has made it more likely that an offline jumpseater will get it because he prevented other online pilots from booking it themselves.
If you are trying to get on an earlier flight anyway, the commuter policy guarantees you will get on your second one. There is no reason to put a hold on the jumpseat and prevent someone else from being able to use it who wants to use that flight as their first one.