Originally Posted by
wrxsteve
im not a pilot nor a student pilot yet( with no knowledge on this topic), and I was wondering.. if you JS an airplane that the captain gives an OK on... and there are available seats in the back but also first class seats available in the front.... do you have to ask the captain if you can take the 1st class seat or do you just randomly pick whatever seat you want thats available? im not sure how this works...
Oh boy, this is actually kind of a big deal. And in some cases, it's the epitome of the erosion of the PIC's authority.
First off, I ALWAYS say high to the FA's as I board, ID in hand. And I ALWAYS as them if it's OK to step up front and talk to the CA. Also, I always wait till the end to go down the jetway. If you go down right away you can just be in the way. Some guys go down first, do whatever. If the CA is at the gate when you are checking in and offers you to go down before everybody else, take him up on it. Gives you a chance to store your bag. Depending on the aircraft, when you are last on all the overheads and closet can be full, that sucks.
At some airlines it's a bit of power struggle the CA and the FA's. In other words, the CA says yes, but he can have NO say in where you sit. In fact, some CA's will specifically say "talk to the lead FA about getting a seat". Iv'e seen it all over the board. You say hi to the lead, she/he says "sit anywhere you like" and points to a big comfy seat in first. Or, they may say take a seat in the back. I say "one of these" pointing to a first class seat, the say, "NO, the back". Just go sit where you are told. I've also been told "you can sit in first but theres no food for you" That's cool, I wasn't asking, and appreciate the comfy seat for a 4 hour commute. I think I said it in another thread. If you are going abroad on a long flight, bring some chocolates with you and offer them up as soon as you set foot on the aircraft. It can be amazing how that can grease the wheels and get you a front seat. As well as some nice touches. Like TWO ice cream sundaes instead one, or TWO warmed cookies instead of one.
Some airlines it's policy to put a JS'er in coach EVEN if first is open. The reason, as it was explained to me. Say a frequent flier miles type is just a little shy of having enough to upgrade to first. So, some airlines have seen complaints because the guy was just shy of first, then sees a pilot walk on last and get the last open first class seat.
Don't forget, it's a privilege/courtesy and NOT a right to be able to JS. Whether you like it or not, you are representing your airline.