Jumpseating is a professional courtesy. Be professional and courteous both as a prospective jumpseat occupant and as the crew/captain and there will never be an issue.

I’ve commuted for 33 of my 35 years in this industry and never had a problem either with asking for and getting the jumpseat or accepting/denying jumpseat riders. Don’t put the crew/captain in a bad position by not following the easily understandable written policy. It’s that simple.

This is the way.

hmm. I guess I didn't sense any undue disdain or "prick" behavior from the Captain like you're talking about. A kid shows up inappropriately dressed and with a lack of overall etiquette for the jumpseat request - that puts the Captain in the undesirable position of having to correct the behavior. I think you're directing the anger at the wrong person.

Very simple, follow the rules and don't put someone in that awkward position. That's the real person who is "uncool." When in doubt, you can never go wrong with dress shoes. At the end of the day, it's the Captain's jumpseat and I like to err on the side of being conservative - a good rule for our profession, as a whole.

Won’t argue for or against shoes or a specific dress code. But unions publish jumpseat guides and the info is readily available for every alpa member and even nonalpa unions publish the info for their members. It’s a courtesy and a privilege not a right. Even if you’re not visible for 99% of the flight I can’t tell you how many times I grab my bag and walk off the flight deck waiting for a gap being thanked by pax. They assume if you’re up there you’re flying or part of the crew. You represent to some degree the crew and company you’re flying with. Don’t show up and put the captain in an awkward position of having to choose to break with company jumpseat policy and telling you to kick rocks. Just be polite and in at least whatever minimum professional attire required.

I will probably never understand why there are some that press-to-test on this issue.

A5S

Not Delta. Commuted 25 years. PIC for most of those, both abroad and the US. Never denied the JS to anyone, or even had to explain the rules. 121 PIC/commuter for the last decade. If the company you want to JS on wants you to wear a wedding dress to JS you do that. You want to JS, you ask the captain. Every time. That is not kissing the ring, that is the way. And I had the exact same attitude 25 years ago when I was a captain and JSd to get to work. The tool you need is a mirror.

The question may be :

why does anyone need to ask? What would be a valid reason to say no?(dress code and credentials not withstanding)

The jump seat is a professional courtesy. You ask because it’s the right thing to do. 28 years into to 121 ops, I don’t jump seat often but when I do I introduce myself and ask permission to ride the jump seat. Pilot cert, medical cert, company ID, captain copy of jumpseat pass in hand. This isn’t really that hard. Jeebus.

Since the captain has final say in who rides the jumpseat asking is appropriate. It’s not a guaranteed seat so don’t act like it is.

Tropical, you wouldn’t know it, because you’ve only been here a year or so, but Timbo, back in the day, was one of the best, most informative posters on here. He’s probably been taking a break because as our hiring standards have been lowered, more *******s like you are on here criticizing everything old, while acting like you’ve got it all figured out.

Why do some of you have to be so ****ing rude to your coworkers? I’ve never met Timbo, but I hope someday before he retires, to have a beer with him. I’d much prefer hanging with a wise, humble, interesting WB Captain with his experience, than a young punk that knocks everything he sees, while trying to convince me how smart or how good he is.

Guys like Timbo don’t have to convince anyone of anything. Their actions and behavior do all the talking.

Edit: Other notable posters I’d love to have a beer with and pick their brain would be Denny Crane, Sailing, and of course….badflaps.

Thanks for the kind words Big E, I really appreciate it!

I hope to be able to buy you a few beers before I’m outta here in about 358 days.