As a pilot for one CASS airline, if I were to jumpseat on another airline, they will pretty much always give you a seat in the back if there is one available. In your guys' experience, if there are seats in first as well as seats in coach, will the gate agent give you a first seat, or automatically put you in coach? Is it their discretion or are they taught to seat other airline pilots in coach regardless? Thanks.

 

I've only ended up in first one time, that was on Delta.

I usually jumpseat on Alaska and they are really good about upgrading their frequent flyers, so its very rare that they put jumpseater or nonrevers in first.

 

Well I have only gotten first on US Airways, I think Id die if a CAL F/A or Gate Agent ever gave an Express guy 1st class, but thats just my experience, if it was up to the pilots working the flight I am sure it would be different

 

Got first on DL and AS a few times. CO only once though.

 

I commute to RIC faithfully ever week, and United Gate agents have given me the first class seat a few times. One time I told her I'll take one in the back and she refused and told me the first is mine. But then I fly this route two to three times a week and I know everyone by name. That might be why I get it often.

 

My experience has been it depends on airlines and who the gate agent or the lead FA was on the day I travelled. On NWA I get 1st class often but just as many times I get Coach seats. I used to get 1st on Delta a lot often when I used to jumpseat on Delta.

 

I work for Pinnacle and 99% of the time I take NWA. I have gotten first class once. Most of the time they usually upgrade the frequent flyer first, but the flight I was on, it was only half full.

 

If first is available, its ours... plain and simple. Just ask if its possible and it usually goes well (50% of the time it works.. every time).

 

every time i went to and from puerto rico i was always in first class. It usually depends on what route your flying on. If theres a first class seat available you can always ask and often flight attendants will ask you if you want it.

 

The best thing you can ever do...before you say a single word to the captain or First Officer is go right up to the Flight Attendant with the best smile and in the world and tell them "Hey there, I'm trying to catch a ride...is it ok with you if I go talk to the Captain?" It makes them feel pretty special. Make some nice small talk with the crew, says thanks, whatever...then on the way out, make sure you talk to the same FA again and say "Hey, thanks for letting me on board, I really appreciate it blah blah blah". This got me pulled outta my coach seat on AirTran and up into the last first class seat while at least 5 other AIRTRAN PILOTS rode coach. Their reasoning? "You were the polite commuter this morning." In fact, if there's an open first class seat...the only time I remember not getting up there was on American when I was in training.