Stories from the jump seat
05-07-2022, 04:28 AM
#361
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2015
Posts: 711
Originally Posted by pipewrench
RickAir in for the Kill, the person that knows everything. Please let people talk and keep your boring stories to yourself
05-08-2022, 02:55 AM
#363
Wildcat737
Joined APC: Jul 2018
Posts: 16
Originally Posted by tnkrdrvr
Most passengers know nothing about what a jumpseat is or the FAA rules that govern it. All that passenger knew was that the airline sold them a ticket and they weren’t allowed to board and you were. Was their reaction reasonable? No. Was it understandable? Sure.
I’m always very appreciative when the crew has found a way to squeeze me in on a full flight (thanks Alaska crews!). I’m also reminded how lucky I am to not have to deal with pax who are completely ignorant of how their transportation system works.
I’m always very appreciative when the crew has found a way to squeeze me in on a full flight (thanks Alaska crews!). I’m also reminded how lucky I am to not have to deal with pax who are completely ignorant of how their transportation system works.
05-08-2022, 02:46 PM
#364
Line Holder
Joined APC: Apr 2019
Posts: 81
I'll keep my stories to my self, mostly. But to the reserector, I can offer some tips to help prevent some bad stories.
1. ALPA jumpseat guide is gold.
2. Most of your probs will be generated from other's ignorance, not malevolence, be patient and kind. Catch more flies with honey than vinegar.
3. The majority of probs you do have will come from gate agents, again from ignorance, not malevolence. Reference the ALPA jumpseat guide. You may actually have to show it to them. In some instances it refers them to their respective manuals. No lie. You'll often hear "the computer won't list you because this isn't BigBrandX this is BigBrandXexpress and your airline doesn't have an agreement with them." Happened to me within the past month or so. Be nice and patient. Ask them to try again.
"This flight is weight restricted". The jumpseat is at the sole discretion of the Captain. See guide.
4. Other pilots can be ignorant as well. Plenty of previous non 121 guys who are now at BigBrandX and they live in their base they were assigned as a new hire. Try explaining a two leg commute to these types. Be patient. These types can also be ignorant of the regional world and what is going on. Some of these pilots at BigBrandX don't realize they have a wholly owned regional. They likely won't have much understanding of jumpseat priority when BigBrandZ guy shows up and you have priority bc you are BigBrandXexpress. You can see how this might cause...issues. Also, anecdotally, over 10 years ago I was listed for jumpseat on BigBrandX. Two other BigBrandX express (other express not my express) guys show up and try to muscle me out, two jumpseats available. BigBrandX CA says I don't care you all figure it out. He disregarded policy and the other two were jerks.
'Nother story. The listing procedure may also cause issues. Years ago a computer bug caused other Express carrier pilots to think my group wasn't listing for the jumpseat, we couldn't. For us there actually wasn't a drop down box to select jumpseat. Other express pilot was angry as if we disregarded policy. Luckily the gate agent let me login and actually show him that we couldn't. I requested he contact his js coordinator to facilitate an email blast as this would help both groups. Not sure if he did or not. But at least he chilled out afterwards. Alternatively BigBrandX pilots assumed our jumpseat policy was in our FOM just like their's. It wasn't and to my knowledge was TOCn. They didn't like this, but the only was to list was on THEIR computer....which you couldn't. Or at the gate.
5. Have a general idea of where your going. Trying to make a tight connection in a large airport is tough for even for seasoned commuters.
Best o' luck
1. ALPA jumpseat guide is gold.
2. Most of your probs will be generated from other's ignorance, not malevolence, be patient and kind. Catch more flies with honey than vinegar.
3. The majority of probs you do have will come from gate agents, again from ignorance, not malevolence. Reference the ALPA jumpseat guide. You may actually have to show it to them. In some instances it refers them to their respective manuals. No lie. You'll often hear "the computer won't list you because this isn't BigBrandX this is BigBrandXexpress and your airline doesn't have an agreement with them." Happened to me within the past month or so. Be nice and patient. Ask them to try again.
"This flight is weight restricted". The jumpseat is at the sole discretion of the Captain. See guide.
4. Other pilots can be ignorant as well. Plenty of previous non 121 guys who are now at BigBrandX and they live in their base they were assigned as a new hire. Try explaining a two leg commute to these types. Be patient. These types can also be ignorant of the regional world and what is going on. Some of these pilots at BigBrandX don't realize they have a wholly owned regional. They likely won't have much understanding of jumpseat priority when BigBrandZ guy shows up and you have priority bc you are BigBrandXexpress. You can see how this might cause...issues. Also, anecdotally, over 10 years ago I was listed for jumpseat on BigBrandX. Two other BigBrandX express (other express not my express) guys show up and try to muscle me out, two jumpseats available. BigBrandX CA says I don't care you all figure it out. He disregarded policy and the other two were jerks.
'Nother story. The listing procedure may also cause issues. Years ago a computer bug caused other Express carrier pilots to think my group wasn't listing for the jumpseat, we couldn't. For us there actually wasn't a drop down box to select jumpseat. Other express pilot was angry as if we disregarded policy. Luckily the gate agent let me login and actually show him that we couldn't. I requested he contact his js coordinator to facilitate an email blast as this would help both groups. Not sure if he did or not. But at least he chilled out afterwards. Alternatively BigBrandX pilots assumed our jumpseat policy was in our FOM just like their's. It wasn't and to my knowledge was TOCn. They didn't like this, but the only was to list was on THEIR computer....which you couldn't. Or at the gate.
5. Have a general idea of where your going. Trying to make a tight connection in a large airport is tough for even for seasoned commuters.
Best o' luck
05-08-2022, 05:43 PM
#365
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2016
Posts: 2,465
Originally Posted by BatFastard14
Not an actual story while riding the jumpseat but….
Flight I needed to catch to get back to training was full, so I ask for the jumpseat. There was another passenger on standby who was furious with this poor gate agent. She hears me ask the gate agent for the jump and get it. She asks what that is and I explain.
Go down and ask captain, he says yes I get on. Gate agent comes to grab the paperwork and told me that the standby passenger got ****ed at her because she let an “employee on over a paying customer instead” and that passengers should have access to the cockpit and FA jumpseats if the flight is full.
I cannot believe there are people like this out there.
Flight I needed to catch to get back to training was full, so I ask for the jumpseat. There was another passenger on standby who was furious with this poor gate agent. She hears me ask the gate agent for the jump and get it. She asks what that is and I explain.
Go down and ask captain, he says yes I get on. Gate agent comes to grab the paperwork and told me that the standby passenger got ****ed at her because she let an “employee on over a paying customer instead” and that passengers should have access to the cockpit and FA jumpseats if the flight is full.
I cannot believe there are people like this out there.
I don't think it helps that the TV display behind the gate agent (this is for AA and it's WO flights, not sure how others work) shows all the standby customers and their partial names in order of priority and then suddenly someone for some unknown reason with a lower priority that half the list is cleared with the lucky green check mark for all to see.
Last edited by highfarfast; 05-08-2022 at 05:59 PM.
05-08-2022, 08:11 PM
#366
Line holder
Joined APC: Nov 2013
Position: On the bus,seat 0A
Posts: 3,228
Originally Posted by highfarfast
Was recently traveling with my wife for personal reasons. All the flights were full so we were willing to split and I took a jumpseat intending on waiting for her on the other side. Some passenger let her have it after I went down the jetbridge. Was ****ed that 'your man', as she put it when talking to my wife, got a seat and she'd been waiting for a fight longer than we had. My wife said there was no way to explain to her in a way that would settle her down.
I don't think it helps that the TV display behind the gate agent (this is for AA and it's WO flights, not sure how others work) shows all the standby customers and their partial names in order of priority and then suddenly someone for some unknown reason with a lower priority that half the list is cleared with the lucky green check mark for all to see.
I don't think it helps that the TV display behind the gate agent (this is for AA and it's WO flights, not sure how others work) shows all the standby customers and their partial names in order of priority and then suddenly someone for some unknown reason with a lower priority that half the list is cleared with the lucky green check mark for all to see.
05-09-2022, 02:39 AM
#367
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2016
Posts: 2,465
Originally Posted by symbian simian
Pretty easy to explain. "He is an airline pilot with a 10 year background check, so he is allowed into the cockpit, you are a passenger, so you are not". If they fail to grasp that concept any discussion is meaningless.
05-09-2022, 07:02 AM
#368
Line holder
Joined APC: Nov 2013
Position: On the bus,seat 0A
Posts: 3,228
Originally Posted by highfarfast
Yes, it's easy to easy to explain. But it's not quite what I said.
05-09-2022, 12:44 PM
#369
Line Holder
Joined APC: Apr 2019
Posts: 33
Originally Posted by HogEars
I'll keep my stories to my self, mostly. But to the reserector, I can offer some tips to help prevent some bad stories.
1. ALPA jumpseat guide is gold.
2. Most of your probs will be generated from other's ignorance, not malevolence, be patient and kind. Catch more flies with honey than vinegar.
3. The majority of probs you do have will come from gate agents, again from ignorance, not malevolence. Reference the ALPA jumpseat guide. You may actually have to show it to them. In some instances it refers them to their respective manuals. No lie. You'll often hear "the computer won't list you because this isn't BigBrandX this is BigBrandXexpress and your airline doesn't have an agreement with them." Happened to me within the past month or so. Be nice and patient. Ask them to try again.
"This flight is weight restricted". The jumpseat is at the sole discretion of the Captain. See guide.
4. Other pilots can be ignorant as well. Plenty of previous non 121 guys who are now at BigBrandX and they live in their base they were assigned as a new hire. Try explaining a two leg commute to these types. Be patient. These types can also be ignorant of the regional world and what is going on. Some of these pilots at BigBrandX don't realize they have a wholly owned regional. They likely won't have much understanding of jumpseat priority when BigBrandZ guy shows up and you have priority bc you are BigBrandXexpress. You can see how this might cause...issues. Also, anecdotally, over 10 years ago I was listed for jumpseat on BigBrandX. Two other BigBrandX express (other express not my express) guys show up and try to muscle me out, two jumpseats available. BigBrandX CA says I don't care you all figure it out. He disregarded policy and the other two were jerks.
'Nother story. The listing procedure may also cause issues. Years ago a computer bug caused other Express carrier pilots to think my group wasn't listing for the jumpseat, we couldn't. For us there actually wasn't a drop down box to select jumpseat. Other express pilot was angry as if we disregarded policy. Luckily the gate agent let me login and actually show him that we couldn't. I requested he contact his js coordinator to facilitate an email blast as this would help both groups. Not sure if he did or not. But at least he chilled out afterwards. Alternatively BigBrandX pilots assumed our jumpseat policy was in our FOM just like their's. It wasn't and to my knowledge was TOCn. They didn't like this, but the only was to list was on THEIR computer....which you couldn't. Or at the gate.
5. Have a general idea of where your going. Trying to make a tight connection in a large airport is tough for even for seasoned commuters.
Best o' luck
1. ALPA jumpseat guide is gold.
2. Most of your probs will be generated from other's ignorance, not malevolence, be patient and kind. Catch more flies with honey than vinegar.
3. The majority of probs you do have will come from gate agents, again from ignorance, not malevolence. Reference the ALPA jumpseat guide. You may actually have to show it to them. In some instances it refers them to their respective manuals. No lie. You'll often hear "the computer won't list you because this isn't BigBrandX this is BigBrandXexpress and your airline doesn't have an agreement with them." Happened to me within the past month or so. Be nice and patient. Ask them to try again.
"This flight is weight restricted". The jumpseat is at the sole discretion of the Captain. See guide.
4. Other pilots can be ignorant as well. Plenty of previous non 121 guys who are now at BigBrandX and they live in their base they were assigned as a new hire. Try explaining a two leg commute to these types. Be patient. These types can also be ignorant of the regional world and what is going on. Some of these pilots at BigBrandX don't realize they have a wholly owned regional. They likely won't have much understanding of jumpseat priority when BigBrandZ guy shows up and you have priority bc you are BigBrandXexpress. You can see how this might cause...issues. Also, anecdotally, over 10 years ago I was listed for jumpseat on BigBrandX. Two other BigBrandX express (other express not my express) guys show up and try to muscle me out, two jumpseats available. BigBrandX CA says I don't care you all figure it out. He disregarded policy and the other two were jerks.
'Nother story. The listing procedure may also cause issues. Years ago a computer bug caused other Express carrier pilots to think my group wasn't listing for the jumpseat, we couldn't. For us there actually wasn't a drop down box to select jumpseat. Other express pilot was angry as if we disregarded policy. Luckily the gate agent let me login and actually show him that we couldn't. I requested he contact his js coordinator to facilitate an email blast as this would help both groups. Not sure if he did or not. But at least he chilled out afterwards. Alternatively BigBrandX pilots assumed our jumpseat policy was in our FOM just like their's. It wasn't and to my knowledge was TOCn. They didn't like this, but the only was to list was on THEIR computer....which you couldn't. Or at the gate.
5. Have a general idea of where your going. Trying to make a tight connection in a large airport is tough for even for seasoned commuters.
Best o' luck
Thanks man! I’ll keep this all in mind. I’m sure it’ll be a learning curve for me as I learn the ins and outs. But hopefully I’ll have funny stories instead of any bad ones!
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