You're right. I meant AFTER they got that part straightened out. But when a fed comes up to you, he is going to show is ID and his form, then TELL you he will be sitting on your jumpseat observing you. When a pilot approaches you, he will be requesting to ride on YOUR jumpseat. That is, unless he is a tool and exercises what is known as "poor jumpseat etiquette". I don't need a guy to get on his knees and beg, but at least stop by, and don't say "I'm going to be jumpseating on your flight today". At least give of the impression that it's still a courtesy and not a right. Because it isn't.

You read that right, I meant the world. Pick a U.S. airline, look at where they go in the world, and for the MOST part you will be able to JS there. There are some exceptions. American has a domestic list and an international list. If your airline is not on their international list, they WON'T take you. It's really rather silly and too tedious to explain.

You want to go to Sydney Australia and you don't have UAL non-rev bennies? Simply show up at the UAL gate, request the form, have your visa (as required per some countries), talk to the CA, if he's cool with it and they are not facing a weight restriction and there is a seat in the back, your on. Now, if the flight is full, YOU CANNOT RIDE UP FRONT on international flights. Also, UAL has some weird int'l JS rules on the number of allowed riders. I don't know the specifics, but most of their pilots don't seem to either as it's gone through some changes as of late. There are SOME exceptions to riding up front, you will have to ask YOUR specific JS rep at your airline. There are some other places that are notoriously difficult to get to due to high traffic loads and the sheer amount of cargo being carried causing a weight restriction. It can also depend on the time of the year. HKG can be on of them. Also, sometimes you have to be "passport listed" 75 or 90 minutes (can't remember) to go time, don't do this, you won't get on, PERIOD. Always a good idea to show up early.

When I said cheap, I meant that too. It costs nothing to get out of the country. At least, I have never paid to get out when jumpseating. But most foreign countries will stick you for their standard "departure tax" that all passengers have to pay. Some guys will tell you they don't pay it, whatever. If your in a foreign country and the ticket counter isn't going to give you your pass to get through security, what you are going to do? Tell them you are not going to pay? Good luck with that. I jumpseated to Europe a few times. Got first class both ways. Paid around $40 departure tax (at that time) to come back. Jump on any website and see what that would run somebody paying full fare.

Bear in mind, there are no JS agreements on foreign airlines. The rare exception would be Air Canada. MOST U.S. airlines have an agreement with them. My company USED to have one with EVA airways but I believe it's gone. I've said it before, SOME guys may have stories that they were able to to talk to the CA of some foreign airline and the guy let him on. Whatever, may have worked for him, may not work for YOU. Besides, coming back into the country they are going to have to be able to account for you on the manifest somehow. Some guy just saying "yeah, take a seat in the back" is not going to cut it. Have fun at U.S. Customs when you get to the states if that does happen.

FedEx and UPS go to some pretty cool places, but you cannot JS on them internationally unless you work for them. There are some other freight carriers that WILL let you JS on them international. You can sometimes be treated to a bunk in the back and MORE food than you could possibly consume.

Remember this, most if not all gate agents in the U.S. understand perfectly what it means to jumpseat. The ticket agent in whatever foreign country may NOT. It's always a good idea to show up early, as well as bring some additional JS forms for the return leg. I've never done AMS but I've heard from multiple friends that they make it a royal PITA there. Even though that airport sees a relatively high amount of JS traffic. It's also always a good idea to have a ZED/ID as a back up if for some reason the JS route falls through.

Before 9/11 it was WAAAAAY easier. Bummer it's not STILL like that.

Have fun. If you are young and single, and can at least afford some basic accommodations and have a desire to see whatever country, or have friends/family there, take advantage of it.