Offline Jumpseat "Checking in"
#21
A/THR
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 10
Likes: 1
Maybe I wrote poorly, but that's not what I said at all. FWIW, my second paragraph didn't apply to the OP in any way - it was only germane to the resulting discussion.
Let me try the second part another way. Unless you are have a Jumpseat boarding pass (P1, P2, FA1, FA2...), not only is "checking in" absolutely not ever required, personally I'd prefer you don't. Only if you do have a JS boarding pass, I personally think you should stop by (with your licence/medical at the ready), at least tell me you are here, and preferably give me the courtesy of pretending to ask permission. I get that part is contrary to some here, and that's fine. But that my 2 cents.
Let me try the second part another way. Unless you are have a Jumpseat boarding pass (P1, P2, FA1, FA2...), not only is "checking in" absolutely not ever required, personally I'd prefer you don't. Only if you do have a JS boarding pass, I personally think you should stop by (with your licence/medical at the ready), at least tell me you are here, and preferably give me the courtesy of pretending to ask permission. I get that part is contrary to some here, and that's fine. But that my 2 cents.
#23
Good grief! These types drive me insane! It’s purely an ego thing for them.
What the hell does he want pilots to say to him? “Well hello your majesty, I’m John Baker. How are you doing today, Mr. Aviation God? Permission to ride sir? I’ve got coffee for you and your FO, even though I’m deadheading in the back.” Is that good enough for these ego maniacs??? What’s next? Does he want a salute, too???
What the hell does he want pilots to say to him? “Well hello your majesty, I’m John Baker. How are you doing today, Mr. Aviation God? Permission to ride sir? I’ve got coffee for you and your FO, even though I’m deadheading in the back.” Is that good enough for these ego maniacs??? What’s next? Does he want a salute, too???
#24
Line Holder
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 328
If you’re riding in the back I think it’s important to check in so that the captain knows you got on the plane. If I see there is a jumpseater when I first talk to the gate agent and he isn’t there by 10-15 prior I’ll walk up to see if there is any tomfoolery going on. JMHO
#25
Prime Minister/Moderator

Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 44,841
Likes: 652
From: Engines Turn or People Swim
I might be wrong here but if you aren’t dedicated or enrolled with the airline, even if the gate gives you a seat in the back, the FARs require you to “check in” with Captain. Say a Spirit pilot wants to ride on Delta for example. The Spirit pilot lists as other airline jumpseat. Delta flight is wide open and gets seat in back. Spirit pilot is still traveling under Cass jumpseat agreement and must check in per the FARs. Can someone chime in on this? (I’m not Spirit or Delta just using those as examples).
A few airlines have an official policy of don't bother the crew when granted a cabin seat, and the gate will tell you that. I wish we all did, but oh well.
#26
Line Holder
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 474
Likes: 31
Like I said, I will always check in when I am JS-ing, regardless if I have a seat in the back, because JS is at captain's discretion. Me on a DH/PS/NR in uniform is none of his business. Dude like that, I would just ask for a CSR to explain to him he can't treat paying customers that way. Would love to see him squirm himself out of that one.
#27
Line Holder
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,374
Likes: 53
We're not discussing operational details of cockpit access, but for cabin seats the FAA really doesn't care, you might as well be a nonrev. Access to the cockpit requires some specific procedures, as we all know. Access to the cabin does not.
A few airlines have an official policy of don't bother the crew when granted a cabin seat, and the gate will tell you that. I wish we all did, but oh well.
A few airlines have an official policy of don't bother the crew when granted a cabin seat, and the gate will tell you that. I wish we all did, but oh well.
#28
Prime Minister/Moderator

Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 44,841
Likes: 652
From: Engines Turn or People Swim
My shop sends out frequent reminders that the jumpseat is at the Captain’s discretion, regardless of where the jumpseater sits. So, stopping by the cockpit is appropriate if given a seat in the back. . DH/non rev/regular ticket? If you want to say hi, great. If not, no biggie.
#29
Codeshare the pain away
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 292
Likes: 113
From: one DUI away from running the airline
Good grief! These types drive me insane! It’s purely an ego thing for them.
What the hell does he want pilots to say to him? “Well hello your majesty, I’m John Baker. How are you doing today, Mr. Aviation God? Permission to ride sir? I’ve got coffee for you and your FO, even though I’m deadheading in the back.” Is that good enough for these ego maniacs??? What’s next? Does he want a salute, too???
What the hell does he want pilots to say to him? “Well hello your majesty, I’m John Baker. How are you doing today, Mr. Aviation God? Permission to ride sir? I’ve got coffee for you and your FO, even though I’m deadheading in the back.” Is that good enough for these ego maniacs??? What’s next? Does he want a salute, too???
#30
One reason that it is nice to know about pilots traveling in the back is the possibility of pilot incapacitation. More and more pilots are over 60, and we are getting more and more female pilots. Of the three pilot incapation events of which I have personal knowledge, two involved pregnant pilots.
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