I have no idea why these 777 Captains chose to deny jumpseaters access, and unless I heard the whole story directly from both sides, would prefer to not formulate an opinion.

What I do know is that, during all my previous carrier experience (not that much, but 10 years worth) it was understood, in the different types of aircraft and jumpseat configurations, that taking jumpers was a slight inconvenience due to less room in the cockpit, having to maneuver over/around them and the flight attendants, arranging bathroom breaks with flight attendants, door security procedures, bags in cockpit, less room to recline the seats, etc... etc... However, I NEVER flew with a captain, and NEVER even considered making a decision as a captain myself, to leave a jump-seater behind. Even though we never operated 15 hour long legs, on our longest flights (which were only about 8 hours), we never left an off-line jumpseater behind, and it goes without saying, would have NEVER dreamed of leaving an online jumpseater, a fellow brother/sister, behind. Even the non-commuters understood that it was part of the things we "put up with" as airline pilots to help out our own... Although most never saw it as "putting up with it", rather, a favor done to a fellow aviator.

Bring back the cookies....