Thought all my experiences on F9 have been good, I have heard the same thing. Those that I know that have been burned will list for the flight at the beginning of their trip.

I have been bumped a couple times by ASA guys that can list for the jumpseat weeks in advance. It sucks when you don't see any other pilots and think you're on and they stroll up 15 prior. It seemed like Northwest had something similar when I was in MSP and the agent kept asking me if I had listed for the jumpseat. It was hard to tell because all the other JS'rs were NW and I would have been bumped anyhow.