A while back there was a Fed out on the west coast that was threatening enforcement for guys who didn't check the required documents per the FOM. The fed even went back and asked jumpseaters with a cabin seat if the capt had checked their documents. I heard this while I was checking in asking for a jumpseat myself. The capt was almost apologetic that he was going through my docs so carefully, but he didn't want to risk a violation. The point is that it is not always an ego thing when you get asked, it is just a by the book process, and if someone asks to see your docs just smile and comply.

That's interesting. I didn't think it was required if you have a ticket that shows a cabin seat? It's not as though the feds know what they're talking about half the time anyway.

If you are on a non rev or space available pass, document check is not required. If you are traveling on jumpseat privileges, doc check is required, even if sitting in back. You are riding as a working crew member, and may be expected to help out if something goes wrong. Same reason you can't drink while on a JS, not even if riding in back. An FAA inspector told me this very thing while riding in my jumpseat. Maybe different FSDOs have different attitudes about this. The guy I talked to was west coast IIRC. It's also in our FOM this way.

It's not a power trip at all. It's required and if you're asked, it's not because the Capt is trying to be a douche, it's just CYA.

It's one more layer in the Swiss cheese model to make sure unwanted people aren't allowed cockpit access. I'd rather have my docs checked every time than a one time event where someone who wasn't authorized got up front.

Not required to sit in the back.

Anyone remember the TSA guy who grabbed an FA jumpseat on Jet Blue? Once the captain realized what happened he had to turn back around and land at JFK.

Still not required. I don't blame guys for the cya factor, just talking technicalities.

Not all FOM's are alike.

When a pilot pops his head in and says "hey guys I'm bob with xyz, they gave me a seat in back, here's my ID and the captain copy slip" are you guys really saying "Whoah Whoah Whoah ice man let me see your medical and atp"? For the record I always have it ready to go but in my experience this has been like 1/100.