Jumpseat Etiquette
 

I have had my fill of guys getting on my airplane, riding to their destination and leaving without EVER making contact with me. Happened again over the weekend. The guy was a Regional pilot WHO SHOULD KNOW BETTER! Rode from MSY to IAD in first class. When I asked him if checking in with the Captain was no longer "fashionable" he gave me some **** and bull about how the last guy had seemed "annoyed" when he checked in. I don't buy it.
The jumpseat belongs to the CAPTAIN, NOT customer service and it is COMMON COURTESY to check in. Besides it is REQUIRED by the FAA if you are truly acting as an Observer Member of the Crew. Enough said.

Below is from the ALPA Jumpseat Committee website. It would be nice if we all read and understood the "protocol".

767 Captain


Remember that jumpseating is a privilege and not a right. The following etiquette guidelines and restrictions should always be observed while exercising jumpseat privileges:

• Dress code is uniform, business, or business casual.

• Jumpseat availability is usually first come, first served (however, most airlines give their own pilots and in some cases subsidiaries a higher priority). Most, but not all, airlines allow multiple jumpseat riders when unoccupied cabin seats are available. The captain makes the final decisions, not the gate agent or “computer.” Due consideration to union affiliation is also a consideration when conflicts arise.

• Check-in procedures vary by airport and airline. Allow sufficient time to check in at either the ticket counter, gate, or in some cases both.

• Remember, jumpseating is a privilege requiring professional conduct at all times. Be courteous to agents when requesting the jumpseat. Always ask the captain’s permission and offer thanks for the ride, even if occupying a cabin seat. Never let an agent rush you past the cockpit without asking the captain’s permission. FARs require the captain to know you are on board. Identify yourself as a jumpseater to the flight attendants when boarding. Some airlines require non-revenue passengers and jumpseaters to board last and conversely deplane last.

• Leave your bags on the jet bridge (or otherwise ‘out of the way’) while you are introducing yourself. Limit your carry-on bags to a minimum when jumpseating. This behooves you because you are most likely one of the last to board—when overhead space is quite limited.

• Even employees and other non-revs will have priority over jumpseaters, who generally have the lowest priority of anyone. You may be asked to deplane at the last minute. Airlines will not delay flights for jumpseaters. If we cause delays on other airlines, we could jeopardize reciprocal agreements with that airline.

• Remember that you are an additional crew member. That means that if you are sitting in the flight deck, keep your eyes and ears open. Wear a headset. Follow sterile cockpit rules, but speak up when necessary. Remember to turn off your cell phone as soon as you get in the cockpit, and cease text messaging. Even during cruise, it is best practice while in the cockpit to ask the captain if he/she minds if you read or do a crossword puzzle, etc. Remember, 10,000 feet and below is a sterile cockpit environment (in some cases, above 10,000 feet also) and, as an additional crewmember, reading, talking, etc. are not allowed. Your best behavior ensures jumpseat agreements in the future.

• If offered a seat in first class by the captain, inform the lead flight attendant of this permission. A first-class seat doesn’t automatically entitle you to the same first class benefits as revenue passengers. If they can accommodate you in first class, do not drink alcoholic beverages. While you are exercising the privileges afforded you by FAR 121.547 or 121.583 (i.e., jumpseating), you are considered an additional crewmember, and the alcohol limitations of FAR 91 apply. Just because you get a seat in the back does not relieve you from this responsibility. Even when in plainclothes, remember that you are still considered an additional crewmember by most airlines, and you may be required to perform duties in case of unusual or emergency circumstances.

• Always express your gratitude to the crew when deplaning. No matter how rushed, remember to say “Thank you.” Some airlines’ policies are for non-revs (including jumpseaters) to deplane last. Again, stay out of the way of revenue passengers, and provide any assistance, if necessary. Use your best judgment, especially if you stowed your bags farther aft than your seat.

• Be polite and courteous to gate agents. Remember that they do not get the same benefits of riding on other carriers for free, but never, ever let them talk you into taking the jumpseat or becoming a jumpseater on a flight for which you are ticketed—no matter how nicely they ask or what type of favor you may think you are doing them. They may even offer you vouchers, but this practice has resulted in lost reciprocal jumpseat agreements in the past. The jumpseat belongs to the captain, not the gate agent! It is not just another seat!

• If you have any questions, suggestions, comments, and/or complaints, please contact your Jumpseat coordinator. Be prepared with detailed information such as the date, time, gate (so it can be accurately tracked through CASS), and name of the gate agent.

Always be the consummate professional while jumpseating. It is one of the most valuable career benefits we have!

Interesting that JS'ers are considered crew. I did not know that was a FAR.

During the whole "can I wear sandals" thread I pointed out to a "dude" that you would not want to wear sandals as a JSer you would be assisting PAX off the plane in an emergency and that fire and sandals would not be good.

His response to me was, "what makes you think I'm going to be assisting?", which I took to mean that he would ensure his safety, the heck with the PAX.

I'm not implying to go down with the ship, but to assist others until it is no longer safe for you to do so. I guess this guy didn't care.

On the other hand, am I getting JS confused with non-rev? To quote Emily Litella, oh never mind.

I agree with you 100% and some guys do not seem to understand that even if you have a seat in back...you are still "jumpseating." ASK FOR A RIDE. If you have ZED ticket that you are using, then you are not jumpseating. I am getting sick of guys flashing their ID as they walk down the aisle without stopping and saying "thanks for the ride." Huh!? I don't remember being asked for a ride. It is not an ego thing, so lets not start with that silly crap, it is about courtesy and protocol.

Exactly! I'm going to print a bunch of this article and hand it to those few boorish individuals who seem to think that the jumpseat is their God given "right" and just camp out without contact. I always get a manifest and I'm going to start confronting them every time.

I've had a number of guys recently put their stuff in the overhead bins, walk up to me and announce "Hey, I'm your Jumpseater"

This leaves me thinking "Are you telling me you're on the jumpseat or are you asking me if you can ride my jumpseat.....because there's a subtle but large difference".

I've commuted my entire career and this really isn't that hard. I don't care if the Captain acts like he doesn't need to see you. If you got on that plane by asking a Gate Agent if you can jumpseat (even if the G/A gives you some sort of seat assignment) stop by and request permission from the Captain and say Thanks. If that particular crew seems bothered, don't let that stop you from doing the same thing the next time you jumpseat.

That's what I do.
Its rare that a jumpseater doesn't "check-in" with the cockpit but when it happens I always ask the flight attendant to have the guy come up and introduce himself.
Seems to be caused most often by the automatic "flow-back" situation when the computer/gate agent actually prints out a boarding pass with a seat assignment
No big deal. Its usually a younger guy who is not as ingrained with the traditional protocol like the old timers. When they get that boarding pass with a seat assignment it causes them to kinda switch out of "jumpseat" mode and just act like a regular pax.

If you are not going to sit in the front, does it really matter...Let me correct you...The cockpit jumpseat belongs to the captain....the empty seat in the back belongs to the CSA....let the control thing go...When i used to sit in the left seat, I only wanted the dude or preferably the dudette to check in.....everybody in the back is just another non-rev

Wrong!! The CSA is giving you a seat in the back as a courtesy. That free ride is given to you by the Captain. You are an ACM and are expected to check in with the captain. You are showing a complete lack of respect for the courtesy that has been extended to you by doing otherwise.

This is why it is referred to as a privilege. "May I have your jumpseat please" isn't going to kill you, it's a two way street.

It would be good for all of the newbies at the regionals to understand and read this jumpseat guide. That being said I have had many mainline pilots in the back who never say a word to us up front in the rj's too. It goes both ways. There is no excuse for disregarding jumpseat etiquette but I dispense with the notion that a major pilot is less obligated to extend the same courtesy to a regional captain. Don't get me wrong, I wish I worked for a mainline operation but unfortunately they aren't hiring.