Jumpseat Etiquette
 

Howdy All,

I am relatively new to the airline industry and wanted to get some clarification on jumpseating.

Can I use jumpseating as a means of personal vacation, or is it just to be used for communting to work?

Thanks,

DK

The original intent was to help pilots get back and forth to work.

But yes, it can be used for your own personal vacation tool. And this is up to you, so take it FWIW. IF you are traveling for fun, and another guy is trying to get home or to work. And, you have time on your hands and possible other options, he may have run out. You have the JS and it was doled out on a first come first serve basis, well, do whatever you want to do. Remember, karma can be a real beyotch.

As far as being a JS rule, the JS is NOT to be used as the company's way to position you around or DH. Thats not what it's for. Don't ever take the JS if the company wants to use it to position you and there is a commuter trying to get to home/work.

Have fun, it's not as easy as was pre 9/11, but we still have the privilege. Take advantage of it while you can. The JS can been seen as your VERY cheap ticket to see the world. I've done it a few times.

Something else to consider. And guys can argue this point ALL they want. They can pull up the ALPA JS guide and look for themselves. I don't care if the guy works for a non-alpa or non-union carrier. IT IS NOT OK TO CONSUME BOOZE WHILE YOU ARE USING THE JS! Even if you are traveling for fun and not in uniform. If the FA offers you one, politely decline. If the CA says it's OK, politely decline, but tell them to keep it sealed up, and you'll take it with you.

Very well put !

Thanks guys, you couldn't have explained it better.

So I am new to 121 as well... what are the rules on int'l JS or by world do you mean the US?

Thanks

I thought the original intent was a place for the feds to sit. So pilots said "If it has to be installed we are gonna use it"

You're right. I meant AFTER they got that part straightened out. But when a fed comes up to you, he is going to show is ID and his form, then TELL you he will be sitting on your jumpseat observing you. When a pilot approaches you, he will be requesting to ride on YOUR jumpseat. That is, unless he is a tool and exercises what is known as "poor jumpseat etiquette". I don't need a guy to get on his knees and beg, but at least stop by, and don't say "I'm going to be jumpseating on your flight today". At least give of the impression that it's still a courtesy and not a right. Because it isn't.

You read that right, I meant the world. Pick a U.S. airline, look at where they go in the world, and for the MOST part you will be able to JS there. There are some exceptions. American has a domestic list and an international list. If your airline is not on their international list, they WON'T take you. It's really rather silly and too tedious to explain.

You want to go to Sydney Australia and you don't have UAL non-rev bennies? Simply show up at the UAL gate, request the form, have your visa (as required per some countries), talk to the CA, if he's cool with it and they are not facing a weight restriction and there is a seat in the back, your on. Now, if the flight is full, YOU CANNOT RIDE UP FRONT on international flights. Also, UAL has some weird int'l JS rules on the number of allowed riders. I don't know the specifics, but most of their pilots don't seem to either as it's gone through some changes as of late. There are SOME exceptions to riding up front, you will have to ask YOUR specific JS rep at your airline. There are some other places that are notoriously difficult to get to due to high traffic loads and the sheer amount of cargo being carried causing a weight restriction. It can also depend on the time of the year. HKG can be on of them. Also, sometimes you have to be "passport listed" 75 or 90 minutes (can't remember) to go time, don't do this, you won't get on, PERIOD. Always a good idea to show up early.

When I said cheap, I meant that too. It costs nothing to get out of the country. At least, I have never paid to get out when jumpseating. But most foreign countries will stick you for their standard "departure tax" that all passengers have to pay. Some guys will tell you they don't pay it, whatever. If your in a foreign country and the ticket counter isn't going to give you your pass to get through security, what you are going to do? Tell them you are not going to pay? Good luck with that. I jumpseated to Europe a few times. Got first class both ways. Paid around $40 departure tax (at that time) to come back. Jump on any website and see what that would run somebody paying full fare.

Bear in mind, there are no JS agreements on foreign airlines. The rare exception would be Air Canada. MOST U.S. airlines have an agreement with them. My company USED to have one with EVA airways but I believe it's gone. I've said it before, SOME guys may have stories that they were able to to talk to the CA of some foreign airline and the guy let him on. Whatever, may have worked for him, may not work for YOU. Besides, coming back into the country they are going to have to be able to account for you on the manifest somehow. Some guy just saying "yeah, take a seat in the back" is not going to cut it. Have fun at U.S. Customs when you get to the states if that does happen.

FedEx and UPS go to some pretty cool places, but you cannot JS on them internationally unless you work for them. There are some other freight carriers that WILL let you JS on them international. You can sometimes be treated to a bunk in the back and MORE food than you could possibly consume.

Remember this, most if not all gate agents in the U.S. understand perfectly what it means to jumpseat. The ticket agent in whatever foreign country may NOT. It's always a good idea to show up early, as well as bring some additional JS forms for the return leg. I've never done AMS but I've heard from multiple friends that they make it a royal PITA there. Even though that airport sees a relatively high amount of JS traffic. It's also always a good idea to have a ZED/ID as a back up if for some reason the JS route falls through.

Before 9/11 it was WAAAAAY easier. Bummer it's not STILL like that.

Have fun. If you are young and single, and can at least afford some basic accommodations and have a desire to see whatever country, or have friends/family there, take advantage of it.

im not a pilot nor a student pilot yet( with no knowledge on this topic), and I was wondering.. if you JS an airplane that the captain gives an OK on... and there are available seats in the back but also first class seats available in the front.... do you have to ask the captain if you can take the 1st class seat or do you just randomly pick whatever seat you want thats available? im not sure how this works...

Darn goofy internet connection, see below.

Oh boy, this is actually kind of a big deal. And in some cases, it's the epitome of the erosion of the PIC's authority.

First off, I ALWAYS say high to the FA's as I board, ID in hand. And I ALWAYS as them if it's OK to step up front and talk to the CA. Also, I always wait till the end to go down the jetway. If you go down right away you can just be in the way. Some guys go down first, do whatever. If the CA is at the gate when you are checking in and offers you to go down before everybody else, take him up on it. Gives you a chance to store your bag. Depending on the aircraft, when you are last on all the overheads and closet can be full, that sucks.

At some airlines it's a bit of power struggle the CA and the FA's. In other words, the CA says yes, but he can have NO say in where you sit. In fact, some CA's will specifically say "talk to the lead FA about getting a seat". Iv'e seen it all over the board. You say hi to the lead, she/he says "sit anywhere you like" and points to a big comfy seat in first. Or, they may say take a seat in the back. I say "one of these" pointing to a first class seat, the say, "NO, the back". Just go sit where you are told. I've also been told "you can sit in first but theres no food for you" That's cool, I wasn't asking, and appreciate the comfy seat for a 4 hour commute. I think I said it in another thread. If you are going abroad on a long flight, bring some chocolates with you and offer them up as soon as you set foot on the aircraft. It can be amazing how that can grease the wheels and get you a front seat. As well as some nice touches. Like TWO ice cream sundaes instead one, or TWO warmed cookies instead of one.

Some airlines it's policy to put a JS'er in coach EVEN if first is open. The reason, as it was explained to me. Say a frequent flier miles type is just a little shy of having enough to upgrade to first. So, some airlines have seen complaints because the guy was just shy of first, then sees a pilot walk on last and get the last open first class seat.

Don't forget, it's a privilege/courtesy and NOT a right to be able to JS. Whether you like it or not, you are representing your airline.