jsled

Politics matters..... first Crewpass and now........


ALPA is pleased to announce that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has adopted two significant policy changes regarding the cockpit jumpseat that the Association has advocated to the agency for several years. The TSA has now lifted restrictions that have kept pilots from occupying the jumpseat due to security-related decisions made immediately after the attacks of 9/11. Since those attacks, numerous new layers of security have made the restrictions unnecessary.

Under the new policy, airline pilots who are aboard the aircraft in a capacity other than as an operating crewmember will be able to ride in the cockpit of U.S. aircraft operators on domestic or international flights with the concurrence of the pilot-in-command after their identity and employment status have been verified. The jumpseat will be made available at captain’s discretion, regardless of the aircraft’s passenger load or the flight’s point of origin.

“Since the attacks of 9/11, flight deck access restrictions have limited the ability of airline pilots traveling as passengers to assist the operating crew,” said ALPA president Capt. Lee Moak. “ALPA-recommended procedures have now been adopted by the TSA to provide cockpit access to airline pilots traveling as passengers. Ultimately, the more frequent presence of additional crewmembers on the flight deck will increase the overall safety and security of flight.”

In addition to numerous meetings with the TSA on the subject, a November 2009 ALPA white paper entitled “The Air Line Pilots Association, International Position on TSA-Issued Flight Deck Jumpseat Access Regulations and Protocols” was used to advance the Association’s views.

If you have any questions about this announcement, please contact the Engineering & Air Safety Department at 800-424-2470.

detpilot

Wait- so is this saying that we can cockpit jumpseat internationally now (I'm sure that'd be comfortable!...), or am I missing something here?

Thrust Normal

Funny, I had to read it a few times too and I still wasn't sure if that's what they meant. But, I believe, you can ride up front on international flights and on domestic flights even if there's empty seats in the back.

cesnacaptn

I'd take flight deck on a 777 or 747 over a middle seat in the back--although I'm not a fan of being in a crew's workspace for that long.

It sounds like employment still has to be verified. I wonder how long it will take for overseas outstations to implement that. And then there's the complication of training foreign CSAs. I remember trying to explain to an Air France agent in Venice that I wanted to ride in the cabin of a Delta flight without a ticket, using only my id to "jumpseat" er uh, just ride for free.

finedavefine

Is there nothing on this earth that will please you guys? How can this new benefit not be seen as a plus? If you don't want to use a cockpit jumpseat to travel for free, internationally, just buy a ticket, like everyone else. In the meantime, why complain?

HercDriver130

because they can.

maddogmax

It's what we do best. At least according to my wife.

detpilot

I'm not complaining, I'm just curious as to exactly what changed. Do we not have to pay taxes to jumpseat internationally now? I could jumpseat internationally before (just not in the actual cockpit jumpseat)- is that the big change? So those few times when the back is full and I'm trying to go to China, I can ride up front?

buddies8

You paid taxes on international pre 9-11. You will pay taxes now.

BlueMoon

Hopefully this means we can take FedEx or Ups internationally. That would be great.