Jumpseat listing etiquette
#1
Line Holder
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Joined APC: Apr 2008
Posts: 54
Jumpseat listing etiquette
Just wanted people's opinions....what is the proper etiquette for listing for a jumpseat with regards to first come first serve. I only ask because I had the experience of showing up at the gate an hour and a half prior to departure. Obviously the gate agent wasn't there at the time so I took a seat to wait for her to show up. A half hour later another pilot showed up and stood by the counter. I am pretty sure he saw me but he stood there and as soon as the gate agent showed up he listed before I did. From people's experiences should I stand by the counter the whole time until the gate agent shows up? Thanks for any imput
#2
Set to Stun
Joined APC: Mar 2016
Posts: 80
If you really want the seat, you'd best be on your feet. Having said that, while walking up if I spot a fellow pilot sitting in the gate area nearby and it's clear the person was there before me, I do the courteous thing and ask if they have already listed.
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2013
Posts: 4,662
Sadly, there's a TON of people that have ZERO etiquette.
#4
In fairness, you really cant say "Well, I was here 3 hours ago, there was no gate agent, so I hold a virtual spot in line if I choose to go walk the airport vs the pilot who stands in line and waits.
Now there was a time when I was number 5 in line for the gate, another JS saw me, and then walked to the customer service counter 3 spots down and listed ahead of me...kind of shady..is what it is. Karma gonna get him
#5
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Joined APC: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,117
If you're there really early, what about nicely asking a gate agent at another gate to check you in after the other flight completes boarding? Is that "just being first" or "cutting in line"? Obviously don't ask a busy gate agent to spend time on another later flight, but if the gate agent isn't in a hurry...? I've seen it done so is that Cool or Tool?
*edit* - and I don't mean going to a less-busy gate to jump ahead of people already in line... I'm talking about something like 3 hrs early when there is NOBODY waiting yet.
*edit* - and I don't mean going to a less-busy gate to jump ahead of people already in line... I'm talking about something like 3 hrs early when there is NOBODY waiting yet.
#6
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Joined APC: Dec 2005
Position: 7ER B...whatever that means.
Posts: 3,966
If you're there really early, what about nicely asking a gate agent at another gate to check you in after the other flight completes boarding? Is that "just being first" or "cutting in line"? Obviously don't ask a busy gate agent to spend time on another later flight, but if the gate agent isn't in a hurry...? I've seen it done so is that Cool or Tool?
*edit* - and I don't mean going to a less-busy gate to jump ahead of people already in line... I'm talking about something like 3 hrs early when there is NOBODY waiting yet.
*edit* - and I don't mean going to a less-busy gate to jump ahead of people already in line... I'm talking about something like 3 hrs early when there is NOBODY waiting yet.
I know thats an extreme to make a point but in all seriousness, it seems like "cutting the line" to me. Don't most airlines have a 1 hour cutoff for offline/walk-up jumpseaters to avoid just that kind of situation? There's gotta be a line somewhere, right? The only time I've seen an offline jumpseater listed well ahead of time is when they were rolled from an earlier flight to a later one. Even in that situation, I'm not 100% sure how I feel about it. Missing a flight sucks sure, but how does missing a flight 3 hours ago give you priority on the list? Seems to me that if we're going to be fair to everyone, the listing gets cancelled if you dont make it on and we ALL roll the dice again at one hour prior to the next flight.
#7
In the end, most of us commute by choice, and most all of us have a commuter policy. Im not going to allow myself to get wrapped around the rails is someone checks in ahead of me using a less than standard way. It is what it is...take it if you need it that bad, if I cant make it, ill call work and they can buy me a ticket or ill head back home.
Its a long career...
Its a long career...
#8
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2005
Position: 7ER B...whatever that means.
Posts: 3,966
In the end, most of us commute by choice, and most all of us have a commuter policy. Im not going to allow myself to get wrapped around the rails is someone checks in ahead of me using a less than standard way. It is what it is...take it if you need it that bad, if I cant make it, ill call work and they can buy me a ticket or ill head back home.
Its a long career...
Its a long career...
#9
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Joined APC: Jul 2009
Position: Downwind, headed straight for the rocks, shanghaied aboard the ship of fools.
Posts: 1,128
I've been commuting across the country for a decade. Personally, I think that was pretty lame of that guy to do that. Even if he flew for the carrrier you were jumping he could have at least told you so so you could plan accordingly and run to your back up. If I show up and see another pilot in the boarding area I'll walk up and introduce myself and ask if they're jumping the flight I'm going for. It sure seems like basic decent manners to me to list after someone who is already waiting. But I'm sure this thread will go on for many pages as guys point out how I'm wrong and justify their poor behavior.
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