FDX Jumpseats
 

What am I missing here? If a crew member wants the cockpit J/S, they have to contact me before they can book it. Why isn't jumpseats applying the same rule for non-crewmember (MX, Dispatch, etc.)? How am I supposed to know who has booked a J/S at anytime prior to getting my FPR?

Technically, a crewmember can "book" the cockpit jumpseat and be "on standby" status. He could remain that way, show up for the check-in and ask you in person (sort of the way it happens at every other airline). I don't think there is an actual "rule" requiring crewmembers to contact you first - it's just a good practice for everyone involved.

I'm not saying this is a good way to handle a cockpit jumpseat given the way our system is set up. Obviously he wouldn't be "confirmed" on the jumpseat without contacting you ahead of time and would be at risk of being beaten out for the same seat by someone who jumped through the hoops and got your permission ahead of time.

We ask for permission from the captain beforehand if it's over 4 hours, or if the seats are only in the cockpit, right?

Actually,
JS admin will book in the cockpit except for the ironing board. The 4 hour thing is in the FOM but jumpseat says that is only for international and is only a guide. So when someone is calling for capt permission, it is the international thing or release of the last cockpit seat. The new change will limit our seats a great deal.

Will that many MX, or Dispatch guys really be riding?
At other airlines I've worked at allowing them to ride was the norm. At lower priority than pilots (for leisure).
I always enjoyed having those folks up front. Get their perspective on things.
Often a bit enlightening.
Of course the Captain should still have the ultimate say if they go or not.

I usually try and get the Captains permission because if they do a tail swap to an MD-11 sleeper it is the first 2 who have Capt's permission not who signed up first. Doesn't seem far but that's how J/S Admin is managing the system. Down side is once you have Capt's permission you can't cancel on the web you have to call J/S admin.

A lot of MX guys already ride. Many have to commute because many jobs at the planet, not so much at out stations.

I agree and I don't care if they ride in the cockpit. If I'm contacted, they'll be riding. But, that's not question. There seems to be a lot of back an forth over the issue and how it pertains to Capt's authority right now. My point is that the company should be able to easily handle this and not put the onus on a Capt. to make a decision 12 hours out about something he has no idea about. That's all I'm saying.

Actually MX was only able to book outside the cockpit jumpseats so the 777 and 727 and soon to be 767 was not available to them they just now allowed MX to book cockpit jumpseats as of June 1st and they can't book that online they have to call jumpseat to book cockpit. Was a pain because if a cockpit door or supernemerary seat was on MEL the mechanic was bumped and SOL to find another way to home since he couldn't ride up front now at least they have an option if this happens maybe the newly added MX being allowed in the flight deck is the reason for confusion in regards to jumpseat. There is an FCIF on it.

Just had one of our pilots contact me for the J/S (MEM-CGN) on the 777. He said that Jumpseats told him he DIDN'T need captain's permission for the flight. It would be nice if everyone was on the same page.

MG2