Originally Posted by
Hedley
Jumpseating is not a right, it is a privilege. Along with that privilege comes professional courtesy. If you do not have non-rev benefits on the flight and are not on a paid ticket, you don't have a right to just go sit in the back for free. You are still technically a jumpseater and the captain determines who rides and who does not. Check in wearing appropriate attire, present your ID and any credentials that they are required to check, and politely ask permission to ride. Show some professional courtesy and you'll be fine. Fail to do so and you'll most likely be invited to brush up on jumpseat etiquette while you wait for the next flight.
We get it. Guys like you
say that, but in reality few people seem to care honestly. In the beginning of my career I had an AA captain tell me politely that it’s really not necessary to stop by the flight deck to ‘check in,’ even if assigned a seat in the back by the agent. He said if they’ve assigned you a seat in the back, just go ahead and get on and take your seat. There’s no need to come up front unless you need the JS. Before I met this captain, I had another say the same thing to me on a regional flight. A couple of other captains seemed agitated that I checked in, even after I waited patiently to say “hey guys….” while they finished their briefing or checklist so as not to interrupt. Seemed like it just wasn’t necessary.
Im still pretty young (35). Maybe this profession was different ‘back in the day’ 20-30-40 years ago, I don’t know. But it seems like even the older captains don’t care for guys to come ‘check in’ up front when given a seat in back. The vibe seemed and still seems to be “oh you’re a non-rev??? Ok cool. Well why are you up here? Go sit down dude. we’re trying to get things wrapped up so we can get out of here on time.”