Hornet1

I touched on this subject on a previous thread but still am not confident I understand. I had a discussion with the gate agent today about OAL JS on AE and was told at first OAL pilots where not allowed in the actual JS. I know this is not the case but they also told me that on the 44 seat ERJ, they were not allowed to put someone in the actual JS with 44 pax in back, regardless of weight.

I realize the 135's are weight limited a lot but is this true?

Skyjcky6843

im not sure the gate agent policies, but I would say that you should try and talk to the captain. Im an fo at eagle and as far as I know you can jump seat anytime as long as we are not weight restricted. If the pilots know there is a jumpseater usually we try as hard as we can to get you on.

chignutsak

Sadly at Eagle most, if not all, of the decision making regarding jump seaters has been removed from the captain. Having said that, if you are at the gate try to intercept the captain or fo if they come up to take a whiz or whatever to make sure they know you are trying to get on. The captain can then speak with the agent and then try to plead your case and get you on, if at all possible.

CANAM

Sadly, there are increased barriers between us and the jumpseat. From my experiences, the main factor seems to be the gate agents who may have little to no training on this matter. Also, I've discovered that the less an individuals knows, the more random stuff they create to back up their lack of knowledge, ensuring you don't get on. Some insane things I've been told:
- "we only take jumpseaters on weekends"
- "only major airlines can ride in our jumpseats" when I asked about Soutwest, JetBlue, ect, the he stated that he'd never heard of them so probably not. This was in Canada.

Good luck getting in the jumpseat when you're dealing with people who've never heard of Southwest.

Mason32

Not always true... only when the Capt is not made aware there is a JS request do the gate agents take liberties like this.

Good advice

Pleading is not required, being and acting as a Captain should is.
If the flight isn't weight restricted, the brake doesn't get dropped until they board the Jumpseater... period. The gate agent can take the delay for not doing their job properly in the first place.

The easiest solution is to always include a walk to the gate as part of your between flight routine, to include asking if there any jumpseaters. If they know you are paying attention, they are less likely to try and pull a fast one.

ExperimentalAB

Absolutely -- make sure your FO's can hold down the fort, program the FMS, get the clearance, etc...challenge them to do it, all without your direct supervision (some guys are actually shocked when they find I've programmed the box, like it's way above my paygrade ). CA's have more important things to do, not the least of which is making sure a fellow Pilot is not left behind!

Hornet1

I do use AE to jumpseat a lot to and from work and I very much appreciate the ride. That being said, I have never been given the actual JS. The gate agent always has some excuse as to why I can't ride in the cockpit. It does seem they are not sure of the regs and just make something up instead of asking someone who knows. LAX seems to be the worst though.

Pontius Pilot

AA and AE gate agents, on the whole, stink.

I've been treated very rudely and poorly by AA and AE gate agents...and I fly for EAGLE!!! I can't imagine how it works for OAL with those agents. I've JS'ed on Continental, USAir, Delta, AirTran, Southwest and been treated with far more respect and consideration than my own company. FAR more.

My recommendation is to ask politely to speak to the Captain. If they deny you this, ask politely if you can speak with a supervisor. Ask politely why your are being denied the jumpseat. Get the agent's name, take down the flight number, date, time, gate and an employee number if you can. Then report them to your union JS committee and AE's branch of ALPA and Eagle if you feel up to it.

Never raise your voice, make threats or tell them you are going to report them. They'll report you for intimidation. Just be a true professional and find out the facts.

IMHO, there has been a very big problem with gate agents and attitude lately. They want to play God with the JS...and the rumors I've heard attribute it to the fact that they don't have access to it themselves. The only way this is going to get resolved is for pilots to complain.

That being said, there are some really great gate agents at Eagle and AA. They have gone out of their way to help me out and I love them for it...but the bad seeds spoil the bunch.

At least if you can find the Captain (or the FO who will talk to the Captain for you), you will probably get on the plane. We don't leave with a jumpseater if we can get them on. And the Captain does have the authority and ability to get the gate agent to comply, or as an above poster stated, they can take the delay. Then we will just explain to the CP what happened, and 99.9%, the CP will be on our side and go to bat for us.

Hornet1

You are right on there. My home town airport has very polite gate agent but unfortunately they don't seem to understand the js process very well. Seems they aren't given proper training on the subject. I do try to talk to the Capt or FO but with your tight turns I rarely get the chance. Again, thanks for the rides and I'm very happy when I get to return the favor.

The last time I tried to ask why I was denied the js the gate agent she got very defensive right away. I didn't get upset at all and her answer to me was "your a pilot you should know why you didn't get on". I did talk to a supervisor and he finally admitted she just screwed up.

Mason32

I'm an East Coast Guy, but you're welcome in mine anytime.