I just started having to commute to work and I was wondering if anyone had some insight or experience with being at the gate about an hour or more before the flight and while the gate agent is busy and tells you to come back and list for the jump seat when they are done working another flight. In the meantime another pilot walks up and asks to list for the Jumpseat and another gate agent accommodates them...

How could you guarantee your first come first serve priority if the gate agent isn't able to list you when you first show up and another pilot is getting listed shortly there after?

I don't want to stand around the gate and breath down their necks as they have a job to do but how do you make other pilots know you are waiting to list ahead of them.

Obviously this is only the case for when both of us are other airline pilots listing on another airline where a first come first serve policy is used for the Jumpseat.

 

Give them their personall space.... But stay close enough they know you're still there. I won't say all, but many gate agents just don't care.

This situation happened to me once in 9 years of commuting. The other pilot jumped in front of me. A dal guy. Very cool dude, was ready to give me the seat. Gate agent said no because it was less than 30 prior. Just happened that the air tran capt was on his way back down with coffee and said either we both go or no one goes. Funny, everyone got on, no one sat up front and they left early. It should never have been an issue, but the agent self induced drama.

 

My experience is that the first agent will usually point out another pilot that has inquired first. Even if s/he doesn't, I've never run into a second pilot that didn't respect the first-come-first-served rights of the first pilot.

This, of course, is not to be confused with two pilots from the same airline trying to get on the same flight, and the senior one wins.

I've been on both ends of both of these scenarios. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. In the end, it pretty much comes out even.

My one piece of advice if you commute from a relatively small station (or a big airport where your company only operates a few flights a day) is to try and get on friendly terms with as many gate agents as possible. Show some interest in them, bring them a snack/drink on occasion, and show some appreciation. The day will come when they get you on a flight you shouldn't be on....and if they don't take a shine to you, they can see to it you don't get on a flight that you should be on.

 

My advice,

Download the ALPA and look at the more section, JSEAT. It will tell you each airlines policy. I got hosed by a DAL pilot js the other week bc while waited in line to check in he went to another gate agent working a different flight (both us were off line ) and checked in first. That said another DAL pilot took the cabin js so I could ride up front (dal medal) . My 7 years of commuting most pilots are overly courteous and professional with about 1% being selfish and are willing to do anything regardless if it's morally right.

Good luck

 

What airlines do seniority-based jumpseats?

 

I take a dozen steps back and look for a pillar or corner to stand against, out of everyone's way but still in view.

I have my passport in my hand the whole time, so anyone who knows better can take one glance and see I'm waiting for the jumpseat.

I've never had a problem with someone else cutting in front. Let's face it, all of us take a quick glance for other pilots when we show up at the gate to list. Anyone pretending not to see you as they walk right past and go to the agent? They must be the 1% jerks mentioned above.

Showing up early, respecting the agent's workload, treats, and plenty of politeness go a long way as previously mentioned.

 

Almost every airline does seniority-based for the JS among their own pilots. For off-line, it's usually first-come/first-served.

 

+1
Treats and a deferential attitude work miracles. Agents often have their hair on fire during turns, so my main goal is not to add stress, and to even help, a bit, if possible.

 

Thank you all for the tips and for sharing your experiences with me. I hope my short time having to commute will go smoothly

 

Not true at either airline I worked for (NWA,DAL).