Some ppl just don't have any manners. I guess you can blame the parents if you wish.

Are F/O's scum???

I can't speak for others, but I hang out at Mos Eisley.

"You'll never find a more wretched hive of scum and villiany"

Sorry, couldn't resist.:D

Here's a pretty good synopsis of my opinion:

Some people are jerks, some people are nice. Be the latter, and try to start a trend.

Personally I think it's plane-simple common courtesy to say hello and good bye to anyone when you enter their office/room/house. Anyone that believes they are better because they are a capt or that as an FO you deserve none until you upgrade needs to realize that honestly you are only a pilot, plane and simple not anything more or better than the guy in the right seat only more experienced, hopefully :)
I always make it a point to say hello with a handshake and name exchange with both crew members when I jumpseat. It's plane and simple etiquette.

Ya, I just finished up a 4 day and had 4 jumpseaters and only had 1 even look at me while introducing themselves and the captains I had were both great guys who I dont even think noticed that both him and I were both turned around looking at the jumpseater yet they never even LOOKED at me. Didnt really matter to me nor did I really notice and think anything of it untill seeing this post. I always introduce myself to the pilots but I learned from reading this post to try and pay more attention to the flight attendants as well. After all, they are the ones who usually say, "have a seat in first class!" When I started though I really had no clue about jumpseating as a privelage and that you should check in with the captain and all that good stuff, we didnt learn stuff like this in indoc, sad that Im just kinda learning it as I go over the past 3 months.

It is sad. When I started at Eagle many moons ago we spent half a day on jumpseat rules and etiquette in indoc. It was required before we got our ID's so we couldn't go out there and make a bad name for ourselves. Good for you, leaning as you go. It will serve you well.:)

The crew knows if there are any JSers because it is on the final paperwork. Any yes, you should always check in with the CA even if you are given a seat by the gate agent, remember the CA is the final authority, not the gate agent. Do not try and sneak on, good way to get called up front and asked to leave.

I disagree, I think AirTran is the friendliest! :)

btw, someone mentioned that they've jumpseated on flights where the FO was sitting there with their arms crossed. I've had that, where the FO never even turns around when you go up there to introduce yourself. In that case I just say "thank you, first officer", hoping he'll hear me. Is there a better way to go about it?

Think of it in these terms-do you know how far a 121 airliner can go without a f/o? Not even an inch, can't even run a cockpit clean-up checklist solo, because it's a challenge and response, requiring 2 pilots. I was a f/o for 6 years before upgrading, so I was always very keen on making sure I treated my first officers like i'd like to be treated.

As for the conduct of the jumpseater in question, his behavior was in-appropriate, and unprofessional, and so was your captains. Just consider that a learning opportunity and don't let anyone treat your co-pilot in that fashion when you sit the left seat.

Now that's a wonderful attitude for a "professional" airline pilot to have. On a side note, I introduce my FO if the jumpseater doesnt beat me to it. In the last few years I have definitely seen JS etiquette slowly erode away.