I am curious to know more about American's Jumpseat policy. Last night I tried to hop flight 279 ANC - DFW and my best bet was a jumpseat on the flight deck since the flight was over-sold and there were 20 non-revs listed. However, the ticket agent refused to list me as cass approved jumpseater. Her reason was that the flight is a contract flight for Northern Air Cargo (also a cass airline) and only flight crew employed by American could ride on up front. This sounds to me like the classic "my kingdom" inspired rules that some times get made up on the spot. Just curious if anybody else has encountered this or if there are any American employees who can verify if this is the case or is the gate agent full of you-know-what. Needless to say I just walked away, but I was not at all happy that my jumpseat priveleges were denied. There was no way I had a chance at a seat in the back. It left a bad taste and I will definitely spread the word.

 

That sounds like total BS from the agent.
Did you speak to the Captain?

 

Get the details and send them to your company's jumpseat coordinator. They'll contact AA/APA reps and try and sort out what went wrong.

 

Typical AA Agent BS... as of for the crew, i think there are a handful of pilots who really go and ask GATE AGENTS if there are JS listed or trying to get on.

And they never seem to be on our flights...

I hope it works out for you next time and that the JS coordinator on your side and AA side do something about it.

 

As stated already above, the CSA was doing the 'cause I can' deal. Next time I would speak with the Captain.

 

And what if they dont let you?

 

Which is the normal procedure, unless you get to approach one of the pilots before they go down, chances are low.

I still don't understand what causes the animosity between gate agents and jump seater's, when you are the nicest person to approach the counter for that flight, for the most part, specially at AA.

 

Easy. Jealousy. Plain and simple. $10 vs. $140 per hour.

 

It seems to be the MO with certain AA AAgents. The following is my experience about a week ago trying to go from EWR to DFW:

Agent XXXXXXX In EWR needs
counciling. I showed up to Gate 32 in EWR just a few minutes ago and
proceeded to get yelled at and berated by him. I was standing near
the counter and he yells "Go sit down! I haven't cleared anyone.". I
calmly informed him that I hadn't checked in yet. He walked away.
When he came back to the podium, he calls me up. I handed him my ID
and passport. He says that he doesn't need that and berates me
further by saying, "you guys don't need to be running to the window,
jumping up and down. I'll get to you when i get to you.". I informed
him I did nothing of the sort. He says further, "well all you
jumpseaters do that.". I calmly informed him that I just did what I've
always done with AA in EWR and that no other agent had a problem with
it. He checked me in, but I'm worried that I'll even make it on the
flight.

That's the e-mail I sent to my JS Coordinator as the event was happening. He sent it to AA's JS Coordinator and I believe, thus far, it's been escalated as far as the LGA Chief Pilot.

Some just have it out for pilots. I have had some AA AAgents that couldn't be more helpful. Others are like this guy. Luckily, all the crews have been absolutely fantastic!

 

I commuted out of DFW to MSP for over a decade (plus personal trips to PHX) and NEVER had anything but wonderful experiences with all AA agents and crews. Some get busy and you can tell they are having a bad day, but they were always professional.

Sorry you guys ran into problems, but I think they are the exception rather than the rule.

Ferd
Delta