United jumpseat policy for international travel states that they only allow as many jumpseaters as they have available jumpseats. They have not changed to the unlimited jumpseat policy internationally yet. So watch for the bigger aircraft on certain routes to Europe, because they still fly 3 crew members for relief. Also they are pretty good about giving business or first class seats to jumpseaters when available. But according to their rules only United or United Express employees are eligible for first class on 3 cabin aircraft. Also remember that all these rules are dependent upon the customer service agent knowing their job, so good luck. I have also heard that US Air is a very easy airline to jumpseat on to Europe, but make sure that you pay your international fees for taxes before you leave the U.S. or they will not allow you on the plane! Have a good trip......

 

Just pray you don't get the 747 CA at UAL that I did a few years ago out of New Zealand. I came up to politely introduce myself, in business attire and holding my credentials, and he just said, "I don't carry jumpseaters international" and strode away. I called after him, "Well, you're always welcome on us!" The FO with him kind of rolled his eyes, as if to say, "I know, he's an *******." There were several other guys looking to get on that flight, and the gate agents were beside themselves. They couldn't believe it, since they had never had someone behave so discourteously to another pilot. I ended up buying a pass, as did the other guys, to the tune of about $200, which was a lot of money for me back then. I know it is his right to refuse any and all the jumpseat, but you'll have to take my word when i say this guy was being quite a prick about it.

In LAX when we were at immigration, he went sauntering past us in the crew line and I shouted, "Hey Captain! Thanks for nothing!" It was actually kind of funny because he jumped about a mile when I first yelled to him!

 

Thanks again for all the insight. I think I will stick with my sure thang UPS jumpseat (5 legger but oh well....it's free)

AND....I can sleep on the floor!

 

Negative. With the exception to Iberia Airlines, it's against their policy to allow any pilot form any other carrier to sit in their cockpit jump seat. The only jump seat an individual may occupy is a F/A jump seat. This is a the discretion of the captain, and the senior F/A.

 

Hi, it sounds like is possible to JS back to the US if I am reading this thread correctly. So just go to the ticket counter before customs and ask to JS? Thanks. I am trying to JS on the UA 777 from ICN direct to SFO Flight No 892.
Thanks for the help.

 

Just to be clear, you can come back using the jumpseat privilege to get a ride, as long as there is an open seat in the back.

 

Most, if not all, US ACMI carriers will allow jumpseaters for free. It's a little easier once you've done it. You do away with gate agents. Must be in CASS, and a military or DOD ID certificate will open more windows.

The dispatchers can tell you where to link up with the crew to catch a crew van, or the loadmaster at the airport itself.

 

I used UAL to China and back this summer. No problems overseas, no uniform required. I'm not sure of the TSA rules these days so I called several days in advance to list myself as a nonrev.

 

UAL JS policy on International legs requires non UAL mainline pilots to ride in the cabin that includes UAX.

Just for clarification does Fed-Ex not allow international J/S in the flight deck or not at all?

 

I've jumped on UAL several times and also on CAL and DAL; each time I was in uniform but changed to civvies later when on board.

When it comes to code sharing – remember that there's no such thing as jumpseating in Europe for their own pilots, in fact my friends have to buy tickets for themselves when riding on their own airline (SAS) although it's pretty cheap.

Having said that, I have gotten to 'jump' within Europe on Lufthansa twice now but each time it was because I lucked out and ended up talking to the crew at the check in counter (first time the FO who then talked to the captain on my behalf, second time the lead FA who did the same).

The captains then let me ride in the back and made some phone calls (to their dispatch I think?) - not sure what kind of ‘pass’ they used for me but both said it didn't cost them (or me) any money, otherwise I was going to repay them. Great service for sure, and I wrote nice thank you notes to the crews.

Not sure where you're heading but if my intuition is right and you're thinking about heading to PL check out Wizz Air - have flown on them a few times and I thought it was very cheap and the service was good too. Most of their pilots are either Hungarian, German or Polish so since you speak the language maybe you can get some special deals...

PS. They fly out of Cologne.