HoursHore, You hit the nail on the head. This practice has to stop. The biggest problem I have seen is the pilots after INDOC that have never worked in the industry think they have to buy their ride to work. The non union guy that preaches this in INDOC (and never worked outside the military) has convinced people that have never worked for another air carrier (ie militiary) that we need to buy our way and get special treatment on jumpseats. These are the people creating the problem. Before you throw a spear, I have witnessed this personally. And, by the way, I am a retired military member. But, I have worked in the airline industry for 25 years. The military members hired by FedEx take it to an extreem that they should buy food and drinks for everybody involved in their commute. Most think this gives them special treatment and will get them on the overloaded airplane. This is the problem. I agree with you that the union jumpseat committee needs to come out with a policy to end the stupid cookie tradition and buying your way onto a jumpseat. This crap needs to end.