Originally Posted by
KnockKnock
So you’re saying the gate agent should just usurp the CA’s authority and put jumpseaters on without asking? They’re asking you because it’s the chain of command and the seat belongs to the CA not because he/she assumes you drive to work and don’t want to be uncomfortable, as you so fancifully pulled out of your ***. I (we) get asked at every station throughout the system....yes....even SFO, by....you guessed it, former VX gate agents. Why on earth would you say such dumb, inflammatory, nonsense that AS pilots systematically refuse jumpseats due to the fact they live in base? You got proof to back that trash up? I used to think you had half a brain but now understand why other VXers called you out on OUR forum.
You’re yelling past me. Read again, I’m talking about the culture issue. No, at VX they never asked. They just put them on. They would give a heads up and say hey full flight you may have jumpseaters. You need CA permission to ride in the physical jumpseat. The gate agent can still list someone, and you can still deny them. The shift I saw has happened since the merger especially since 2017. I’ve never seen it as a problem when 1 JS lists. They don’t even ask me. What they always ask is are you okay with 2 jumpseaters? If they’re taking 1 without even asking the CA, it then ask if they’re okay with 2, then what conclusion can you draw other than it’s a comfort issue? I just told my story that happened last month, on my own metal a UA guy ahead goes to list for the jumpseat. The gate agent never asked any CA or told the UA guy he had to wait until permission is received. She just listed him. I was next and she directly told me she already have one JSer, so she has to ask the CA if it is okay to take 2. I said okay, but can you please list anyway? And then she did. And btw, SFO had had a lot of turnover. Don’t assume they’re all ex VX. Many quit and left after the merger. Anyway. It sounds like you took offense to the live in base and not caring comment. Because there’s no way to conclusively point to that as a direct reason, I apologize for insinuating such. Talking pre-2016, let’s be honest that when an an outsider looks in, and sees a legacy with no scope, industry bottom work rules, low voting percentages in their own election cycles, one of the very few major passenger airlines to use block representation, what other conclusion are they left to draw other than the fact that this place is “unique” and chosen because of its AK/PacNW presence, and the kind of mentality that has prevailed that goes along with that? The good news is more than half the airline is less than 10 years longevity and there is enough new blood that they are demanding change. The “old way” won’t work. To give credit where it’s due, lots of legacy AS are also on the same boat united together for improvements.