Why is it so difficult for a fellow pilot to ask for a ride no matter what carrier you ride on, regional or mainline? I've been seeing a lot of pilots and hearing a lot of stories from other crews that pilots from another company who listed for the jumpseat either don't come up and say anything because they got a seat in the back or are in the jumpseat and come up and tell the crew that they're the jumpseater instead of showing a little respect and asking for a ride. Why is that so difficult for people to do? I see it happen at least one flight per trip someone does that to the captain I'm flying with.

 

My thoughts are that allot of people view asking the captain for a ride is an old practice. Back in the day the airline Captain was the cream of the crop, it was his airplane and the romance was on. Now it is the company’s airplane, the company's decision and to hell what the captain thinks – the computer says I am listed. This all ties in with the romance is gone. Still, it is good etiquette to say something to crew in my opinion.

 

15 pages minimum.

If you're jumpseating, always ask for a ride.

 

I always go up and introduce myself, documents and passport in hand regardless of whether I'm in the Jumpseat or not. If I walk up and I hear or see the pilots briefing or running a checklist I keep my mouth shut, and I'm a Millenial, there's hope after all.

 

Oh boy.....I give it 10+ pages if it doesn't get shut down first.
As a offline Jumpseater you should always introduce yourself and ask for the ride.

If riding on your own equipment, you may get away with being silent in the back, but that cockpit Jumpseat belongs to the captain.

 

It's up to each pilot to skip checking in just as it's up to me to report them to their respective Jumpseat committee.

Let their own coworkers fix the problem.

I jumpseated for years. Always asked for a ride (never told them I have a seat ) and always had my ID and all documents ready.

 

My question: why would you NOT go introduce yourself with documents in hand?
If for no other reason than to see if you happen to know the crew.

 

Since the same thing was posted in the regional side, I figured that I post my same response here. These are my thoughts as a captain myself.
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I (AWAC) pay annually for American nonrev benefits (very crappy ones at that) plus I have to pay an additional $1.58 per segment each time. When I list like this and ride on any American or American Eagle metal (operated by anyone) I do NOT ask for permission, unless I have to occupy the physical jumpseat in which I politely ASK if its ok. If I happen to see the crew I introduce myself as a non-rev (not jumpseater).

If I ride in ANY other non-American/ American Eagle carrier, I ask for permission with doccs in hand even if I am in the back. I am a guest and not entitled to it.

This is my belief and I see nothing wrong with it.....!?


The only problem I have EVER had was with a legacy American Captain that almost kicked me off. I listed as a non-rev but as a non-wholy owned we often get the same priority code as a offline jumpseater. I guess he saw me in the paperwork as a offline guy and asked the F/A to take me up front just prior to push. I explained that it was a technical issue but I was indeed a non-rev. I showed him the back of my id which says 'Operating as American Eagle '. He seemed ok with it but I am sure he placed me on the do not hire list

 

I agree with you but why is it so difficult to call somebody out on it? As many times as I've seen what you just talked about happen, I've never seen anybody put them in their place.

 

This isnt something I see. Guys always come and ask for the ride.

If your CAs are having this issue, time for them to sack up and have him talk to these guys and maybe have a few wait for the next flight if they show any attitude...its simple.

Want the respect of asking for the ride? He needs to drop the hammer if he feels that privilege is being abused. 99% of pilots would back the decision if a CA asks a cabin jumpseater to report up front if they dont do so themselves.

Its really not that complicated and surely doesnt require another thread to discuss it.