I'm not about to say jumpseating is "the biggest challenge" out there, but it represents a good bellweather of pilot professionalism and goodwill towards others. Many parts of this profession have been in a slide downhill, while the jumpseat has improved. Despite onerous security, pilots now have more jumpseat access than they ever did. It is also interesting to note that it has been the larger airlines that have been the late movers on this issue (with notable exceptions, of course). Perhaps b/c it is a rather low cost item (no item is 'no cost'), regionals were able to secure the benefit, engendering good will with their peers, yet, in the end, representing a selfless action, since it is not immediately clear how a pilot group benefits from unlimited jumpseat access on their own airline, only that 'it is better to give than to receive'. Perhaps b/c regional pilots represent a younger, less industry experienced group - the 'group think' of "unlimited jumpseats will mean a concession in another area" didn't get entrenched? As 'Denny Crane' pointed out, "Does everyone have to get something to give something?"

Jumpseating is, to me, something of a reminder to pilots of their responsibility. It is the PIC exercising his/her authority, something that is protected in the FAR's. When you jumpseat, you are a guest of the PIC, not of the airline.

• Who vets a jumpseater, the PIC, or the airline? The PIC does!. The document check is not done by the gate agent, is it? Nope. The CASS check is done to satisfy security requirements, and the gate agent is 'assisting the PIC' when doing so.
• Who do you ask permission to ride, the PIC, or the airline? The PIC - you don't ask the gate agent if you can "catch a ride to XYZ" do you?
• When you jumpseat, you are a member of the crew, with all the duties that come with it (alcohol consumption, take note).

Where has PIC Authority gone?
PIC's allow a gate agent to make a jumpseat priority decision, both gate agents and flight attendants makeing a seating assignment decision for the PIC, gate agents refusing a prospective jumpseater access to the PIC . . . where does it end? Why do PIC's allow this to occur?

Sometimes, we do it to ourselves! When we access an aircraft only through a jumpseat agreement, yet accept a boarding pass and seat assignment from a gate agent, along with the instructions "no need to check in with the Captain", when our airlines treat jumpseaters as 'non-revs' (does every pilot now have the ability to non-rev on every other airline?). It boggles my mind to see pilot groups allowing this kind of stuff to happen, but then wonder why the company challenges other PIC decisions they make. It is much easier to keep something you have then to give it away and try to get it back - 'possession is 9/10th of the law', as they say.


Can you be specific in where ALPA has done this?

As to 'aa73' and AA's jumpseat reciprocity issues - I understand. Good luck, 'aa73', and all AA pilots. I've said my peace.