I was jumpseating on a 737 a week or two ago. The airline doesn't matter; it's one of the big ten.

I was wearing my uniform pants and shoes, and had a polo shirt on tucked in. I clearly met the dress code for an offline jumpseater and sloppiness was not an issue.

I introduced myself to the lead flight attendant, captain and the first officer. I asked the captain if they would be able to accomodate me as jumpseater on this flight; I handed him my ID which says CREW and has my employee number on it, and along with that I presented my pilot certificate, medical, and boarding pass which said CASS APPROVED on it.

He turned to me (and was not joking) and said "Are you a pilot?"

I thought he was kidding. I said, yes, I fly for _____ out of ___ airport (which was the airport we were at).

He replied, "How do I know you're a pilot?"

Then I realized this guy was actually asking me if I was a pilot...struggling to quickly think of a polite response, I simply said "I don't know." (I wanted to say: you're holding my crew ID, CASS approved boarding pass, pilot certificate, and medical!)

He finished with, "You're in civilian clothes."

I was thinking of what to say next to keep this wonderful conversation going but the F/O turned around and said "so...what are you going to [destination] for? How long are you staying for?" I answered him and he said "great, glad to have you aboard!" and I said thanks for the ride and the captain sort of gave some nod of approval or something.



Since the captain was not joking at all asking me those questions, I'd like to know: what was I supposed to wear? Jumpseating in civilian clothes is something that is completely acceptable at that airline, and I've had their pilots on my jumpseat in civilian clothes, and vice versa. Or was this guy just acting like a goofball.

 

He was probably just messin' with ya

 

I wouldn't worry too much about your experience, it was a fluke. The way you were dressed should be OK for jumpseating on any airline. I don't know anybody that requires more than business casual. That captain sounds like an idiot.

 

Is it possible that he was just messing with you? A lot of times when you look younger especially I find that they like to kid with you. Keep in mind pilots are a unique group and many of us have odd senses of humor. I don't think I'm particularly gullible or dense but I know there have been a few times captains have given me a hard time and I didn't realize at first that they were just teasing. Someday when you're a captain at a major you'll probable have fun with the young regional jumpseaters, too.

Also, be thankful he wasn't checking to make sure you were a pilot as opposed to a flight attendant. I get that on about 3/4 of the flights I jumpseat on. Not really a problem except when the flight's full and they don't understand that I can actually sit in the cockpit.

 

I'm telling you, he was not joking around!

Even if he had a dry sense of humor I would have noticed it at some point.

I think it's why the F/O stepped in and basically changed the subject.

The captain seemed to have an issue with me jumpseating in "civilian clothes." Like his commercial airline uniform isn't civilian clothes? I don't know what his deal was but he was not just messing with me.

 

I just jumpseated on American yesterday to LA and there was another jumpseater wearing "Civilian clothing" the same as you were and the crew said nothing about it. I see United guys doing it all the time as well. I just wear my uniform while jumpseating.........its just easier that way!

 

Definitely very odd, sounds like you handled it as well as could be expected.

 

Did you sit in the jumpseat? What was he like during the flight?

 

No, there were seats in the back so I was back there.

I think this guy was just an anomaly. There is nothing wrong with not wearing a pilot uniform while jumpseating.

 

Yeah, I totally agree. I usually wear my uniform when I jumpseat but that's got more to do with wanting to take liquids through security than anything else.