Had a bit of a rude encounter yesterday. Flew a flight yesterday that had 12 first class pax, 64 coach pax, and a jumpseater. Jumpseater was a DL 737 capt based in ATL. He walks up to the cockpit, introduces himself to the capt, shows his credentials, etc. During the 2+hour flight, capt and j/s chat back and forth about some stuff they had in common. So I took the radios so they could chat undisturbed (it was my leg to fly). We land, taxi in, and start deplaning. J/S thanks the capt for the ride, shakes his hand, gathers his bags and leaves. He didn't say one word to me the entire time. Didn't look at me. Didn't acknowledge my existence.

My question is, isn't it professional courtesy to thank the crew, etc. for giving you a ride to work for free, especially in the jumpseat? As an f/o, am I really pond scum?

 

If you have to ask....

Yeah, he could've thanked you. However, it was the CA who approved the jumpseat in the first place so he was directly responsible. All things considered, he was a DAL pilot, so you should've thanked him for gracing you with his presence. I can't believe you didn't get an autograph!

 

Bro think of a frat house... Ur rushing till you upgrade. You'll be a god some day and then the DL jump seaters will talk to you without question.

 

I don't want them to talk to me. All I want is a little courtesy.

And when it comes to the above post about the capt approving the jumpseat, thats not how it works at my airline. If the cabin is full, and you're in CASS, you've got a ride in the j/s, no questions asked. Actually, in this case, with this guy being DL, he would be permitted in the j/s even if the cabin weren't full.

 

I'm lucky if I can get a DL pilot to even acknowledge my existence while I walk through the terminal. I guess I was wrong trying to be a human being by a smile and nod or even a quick "hello" walking past other pilots.

 

Is it the end of the freaking world if you are not acknowledged? Who cares? Just say, "By the way, sport, there's a smudge on one of your gold buttons."

 

Just remeber that and don't act that way when jumpseat and when you make it to the majors. We all do the same job so just treat everyone the same.

 

The CA always has final say on on a JSer, CASS or not. He might end up having to explain himself if he denies too many, or the wrong, JSer.

If there are seats in the cabin, and the JSer is employed by YOUR AIRLINE ONLY he may sit in the actual if he and the CA so desire. The TSA requires offline (including codeshare) JSer's to sit in the cabin if a seat is available. Your CA does not technically have the authority to allow those folks in JS if there's room in back.

If it were me, I'd say hi to both pilots, and most everybody does.

 

It's considered common courtesy to acknowledge the entire flight crew but courtesy went out the window years ago. Shoe on the other foot, the DL Capt probably would have told you to exit his plane if you were as rude as he was to his FO.

 

When I have to ride the jumpseat I try and say hello and introduce myself to the CA and the FO, as well as the FAs if I/them are around. I've been on a few flights were I introduce myself to the crew and the F/O just sits there with his arms crossed not even looking at me. Whatever. I always say 'Hi' to everyone.

I don't think it was a DL/CMR thing from back in the days since he obviously talked to the Captain. I wouldn't worry about it.

A few months back I had to ride the jumpseat on mainline trying to get to CVG to work. I introduce myself to the crew and present my stuff. The CA looks at my sruff with kind of a pi##ed of look on his face. The conversation went something like this.

CA: "I really don't give two shi*s about Comair"
ME: "Neither do I, so can I have a ride "
CA: "Welcome aboard!"