Stories from the jump seat
08-12-2017, 06:40 AM
#11
Layover Master
Joined APC: Jan 2013
Position: Seated
Posts: 4,310
Originally Posted by ShyGuy
E175 jumpseat out of EWR we line up on 04L. Cleared for takeoff, the power goes up and just as it is set, there is a somewhat loud crashing noise behind us. I see an orb of light behind me (jumpseat locked and I'm obviously strapped in), it's clear that the FD door has swung open. The crew is aware and continue. We're rolling so I reach back while still belted and grab the knob and start to pull it to the close position. It was awkward in that I had no leverage, and probably looked like a contortionist with the arm looking like it was twisted in a way that shouldn't be. I bring the door to close but there is nothing to suggest it clicked or locked, so I'm still holding it as we accelerate. We rotate and of course the weight equation shifts straight back. Now I'm straining to hold the door in that awkward position with no leverage. About 700-800agl I quietly stated that I can't hold this. At 1000agl the CA asked if I had it in the closed position and I said yes. He pushed a button and then said I could let it go; at that point the door was locked.
08-12-2017, 07:30 AM
#12
Line Holder
Joined APC: Apr 2009
Position: Purgatory
Posts: 27
Popping my jumpseat cherry
I flew for a small freight carrier and decided to use the jumpseat privilege for the first time to go to Anchorage to visit a buddy. On a 747-4 cargo version, sitting in one of the 4 seats in the bubble for takeoff. All of the seats were occupied by pilots of that airline heading to ANC for work. I introduced myself before takeoff and got settled in for the 6.5hr flight. After takeoff, I must have dozed off. It was about 3am. All of the sudden I hear the chime and all of the lights come up in the cabin. As if in a dream, I see all of the guys stand up and they start unbuttoning their shirts and taking off their pants!! I must have had a very confused/scared look on my face because one of the pilots asks me if this is my first time? I'm only able to shake my head, he laughs as does the others, and says well then you get to eat the cookie! He then quickly explains they are changing into more comfortable clothes for the long flight. I was super embarrassed by my naïveté but also laughed my butt off.
After the FO had changed, the Captain came back and asked how we were all doing. He was this 6 foot 7" tall, built like a body builder African American. He heads into the lav with a bag. About 5 minutes later, he walks out wearing red silk pants, red silk long sleeve button down shirt, and a long red cap that hung down to his waist with a white cotton ball at the end. We all busted up laughing. He smiled, gave us a wave like Forrest Gump and headed back to his throne. I fell in love with freight operations after that!
After the FO had changed, the Captain came back and asked how we were all doing. He was this 6 foot 7" tall, built like a body builder African American. He heads into the lav with a bag. About 5 minutes later, he walks out wearing red silk pants, red silk long sleeve button down shirt, and a long red cap that hung down to his waist with a white cotton ball at the end. We all busted up laughing. He smiled, gave us a wave like Forrest Gump and headed back to his throne. I fell in love with freight operations after that!
08-12-2017, 09:15 AM
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,278
Originally Posted by N19906
Great stories, Alder & Oracle. I like this thread; reading APC often makes me wince, but you had me laughing out loud! 
08-12-2017, 10:16 AM
#15
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2014
Posts: 1,681
Originally Posted by oracle21
I flew for a small freight carrier and decided to use the jumpseat privilege for the first time to go to Anchorage to visit a buddy. On a 747-4 cargo version, sitting in one of the 4 seats in the bubble for takeoff. All of the seats were occupied by pilots of that airline heading to ANC for work. I introduced myself before takeoff and got settled in for the 6.5hr flight. After takeoff, I must have dozed off. It was about 3am. All of the sudden I hear the chime and all of the lights come up in the cabin. As if in a dream, I see all of the guys stand up and they start unbuttoning their shirts and taking off their pants!! I must have had a very confused/scared look on my face because one of the pilots asks me if this is my first time? I'm only able to shake my head, he laughs as does the others, and says well then you get to eat the cookie! He then quickly explains they are changing into more comfortable clothes for the long flight. I was super embarrassed by my naïveté but also laughed my butt off.
After the FO had changed, the Captain came back and asked how we were all doing. He was this 6 foot 7" tall, built like a body builder African American. He heads into the lav with a bag. About 5 minutes later, he walks out wearing red silk pants, red silk long sleeve button down shirt, and a long red cap that hung down to his waist with a white cotton ball at the end. We all busted up laughing. He smiled, gave us a wave like Forrest Gump and headed back to his throne. I fell in love with freight operations after that!
After the FO had changed, the Captain came back and asked how we were all doing. He was this 6 foot 7" tall, built like a body builder African American. He heads into the lav with a bag. About 5 minutes later, he walks out wearing red silk pants, red silk long sleeve button down shirt, and a long red cap that hung down to his waist with a white cotton ball at the end. We all busted up laughing. He smiled, gave us a wave like Forrest Gump and headed back to his throne. I fell in love with freight operations after that!
Good one!
Very nice!!
08-12-2017, 10:24 AM
#16
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2011
Position: Left seat on a kite
Posts: 1,884
Originally Posted by oracle21
The Captain was this 6 foot 7" tall, built like a body builder African American. walks out wearing red silk pants, red silk long sleeve button down shirt, and a long red cap that hung down to his waist with a white cotton ball at the end. We all busted up laughing. He smiled, gave us a wave like Forrest Gump and headed back to his throne.
08-12-2017, 11:16 AM
#17
Banned
Joined APC: Jan 2007
Posts: 162
Early 90's I requested a JS on a Spirit DC9 from PHL-MCO. As I locked & loaded into the stirrups, the crusty Captain handed me the High Chart & asked me if I would highlight the route to MCO. No problem....then after liftoff, he fired up a chain smoke that continued for the next two hours to MCO. After reaching cruise, he then asked me to update a Jepp revision he had in his bag. Last JS I requested on Spirit...
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08-12-2017, 11:43 AM
#18
Layover Master
Joined APC: Jan 2013
Position: Seated
Posts: 4,310
United A320 jumpseat DEN - SFO about eight years ago:
Get to cruise, 45-year-old-ish captain turns around and says, "So who do you work for?"
"Air Wisconsin."
"Never heard of them."
"Really? We flew for you for the last thirty years. We are literally the first code-share in history, United and Air Wisconsin. Until recently, United even owned us."
"Nope. Never heard of them. And I don't get it, why do you work there?"
"What?"
"I mean, why don't you just work here? I don't get why you guys go work at these no-name places."
"I'm sorry, are you serious?" I look at the FO who mouths I'm sorry.
This degrades into my needing to explain that there is a thing called the regional airline industry thanks to something called scope, and not all of us were so fortunate to get hired at United at age 23.
She never did get it.
Get to cruise, 45-year-old-ish captain turns around and says, "So who do you work for?"
"Air Wisconsin."
"Never heard of them."
"Really? We flew for you for the last thirty years. We are literally the first code-share in history, United and Air Wisconsin. Until recently, United even owned us."
"Nope. Never heard of them. And I don't get it, why do you work there?"
"What?"
"I mean, why don't you just work here? I don't get why you guys go work at these no-name places."
"I'm sorry, are you serious?" I look at the FO who mouths I'm sorry.
This degrades into my needing to explain that there is a thing called the regional airline industry thanks to something called scope, and not all of us were so fortunate to get hired at United at age 23.
She never did get it.
08-12-2017, 12:05 PM
#19
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,898
Originally Posted by Count Dracula
Early 90's I requested a JS on a Spirit DC9 from PHL-MCO. As I locked & loaded into the stirrups, the crusty Captain handed me the High Chart & asked me if I would highlight the route to MCO. No problem....then after liftoff, he fired up a chain smoke that continued for the next two hours to MCO. After reaching cruise, he then asked me to update a Jepp revision he had in his bag. Last JS I requested on Spirit...
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