Ok, since I'm new to this, I have to ask a few questions. I'm getting ready to start class at RAH, and I've been told that once I have my company ID, I can jumpseat in the back. I plan on doing this once while in training to get home for a family gathering. What steps do I have to take to get back to the gate area and ultimately on the flights that I need? What considerations do I need to think about? I've scoped out the flights that exist to get me where I need to go, and there are multiple options. I won't have a uniform yet, so I guess I won't be able to take my shaving cream or toothpaste.

 

Are you sure that you will be jumpseating and not non-revving? Assuming jumpseating....


If you are going on a company plane it should be easy, your badge will get you through security at any terminal where your company has gates. Then just show the gate agent your badge and tell him/her that you would like to jumpseat, and mention whether or not you are authorized the cockpit (sounds like not). They may have you fill out a small form, and then they will have you go see the captain before, during, or after pax boarding. Show the CA your badge, license, medical, and form and ask nicely for a ride. That's it.


If you are jumpseating on another airline, you will need your passport and may or may not need a security document to get through TSA. See the ticket counter for this, although on some airlines like SWA you can use an automated phone system to list yourself for the JS and then print a security document online. Also in order to JS offline (cockpit or cabin) you will probably need to be in the CASS computer system...has your employer loaded your data & photo yet? Easiest way to find out is to ask any gate agent from any airline to verify you in CASS. Other than this the procedure is the same as for your own airline.

Be careful returning to training...since class will probably resume on Monday you will be heading back Sunday...busiest travel day, all the flights are full, and the jumpseat goes by seniority. If more than one pilot wants it...you get one guess as to who will NOT be the most senior pilot standing around the gate at 9:30 PM on a Sunday....

 

Technically you can, but it can set a bad precedent. If you are deadheading you are entitled to a seat in back and can always insist on that seat. If it's a long deadhead and I have to work when I arrive, I will insist. I have however voluntarily rode up front to free a pax seat WHEN ASKED NICELY. I'll only do this to allow an innocent person to get on the plane, not for the convenience of scheduling. I'll usually help out these folks...

1) An offline pilot who is not authorized the actual JS (rare now with CASS)
2) A non-rev pax who is not authorized the JS, ie non-pilot employee or somebodies Mom.
3) A revenue pax if it's the last flight to/from Podunk, MN that day. Some people disagree with this, but I am exercising my right to be nice to my fellow human beings. It's not like the company planned it this way, the situation comes up and I volunteer.

NOTE: If I see another pilot standing around the gate, and I am deadheading I will chat with him...if HE needs the jumpseat, I will stay in my cabin seat regardless.

HOWEVER...if the company (ie crew tracking, training dept, etc) EVER asks you to deadhead in the JS (they will), you MUST SAY NO. This sets a VERY bad precedent and if allowed to happen eventually the company will just assume that they can schedule ALL deadheading pilots in the JS, thereby eliminating the JS as an option for personal travel.

 

Concur with everything you wrote. In my case, our contract states explicitly that we may occupy the jumpseat if we agree to, but we will not be expected or required to do so.

 

I agree with everything "rickair7777" said in his replies to you about jumpseating. I think he did overlook one item having to do with the CASS system which allows you to jump on other airlines. That item is when you go to the gate counter to request the jumpseat you will be required to show the agent your passport. Once on the airplane you may or may not be required to show the captain your other documents since you will have been issued a boarding pass from the agent showing you are in the CASS system.

 

I never have understood not drinking while J-seating. Sure, in uniform, I would not drink. And these days, I would almost always be in uniform to commute because of the TSA.

But I have jump-seated to Europe several times. Most of those times I got to sit in business or first class and drank everything offered. Why not? ACM? What? Am I going to jump up there and fly for a while? No! (I would never step foot in the cockpit if I had consumed alcohol)

It all a matter of respect. Act respectfully and keep a low profile. If I am offered alcohol on a long haul flight, I will accept the offer.

 

You're making a BIG mistake. As a Jumpseater, ACM,OMC, or whatever the airline calls it, you are considered to be part of the CREW. NO DRINKING ALCOHOL!! Doesn't make a difference if you're in uniform or not. If you want to drink, by some ZED tickets or ID90's and have a ball.

 

Been told that we can't ride in the cockpit until we've finished sims. Not sure when we get entered into the CASS system, but I'll have ID the first day. Really, the company airplane option is the best. The problem with getting to where I'm trying to go is that RAH operates the first leg of the trip, but it is a different carrier that operates the second leg of the trip. As far as getting back to training, I'm planning on leaving to come back early in the morning on Sunday. If I can't get back on the first 2 flights, I'll drive.

 

I want you to think long and hard about this...you have a job that starts your career as an airline pilot. There are a lot of folks (me included) that thinks that you are one lucky guy. All of your energy should be channeled into getting through your training without making waves or screwing up. What if you get home and can`t get back for training the following Monday? There are about 50 reasons this could happen..Busted plane, crappy weather, oversold flight, etc. Don`t put yourself in a position to get fired because of "get homeitus"....end of lecture....

 

I agree with the above.

If they EVER figure it out or notice, you just ended your commercial flying career. The Feds will look at it the same as if you had been drinking while flying the aircraft. All it takes is for someone in a bad mood who noticed you are jumpseating to then notice you drink alcohol, and you'd be surprised at the number of cargo guys who get paid airline tickets for deadheading. It's silly enough to do it, but posting about it on the internet does not a good career decision make!




As far as passports. Passports are only required for using CASS or flying internationally. I'm at a non CASS airline and havn't ever shown my passport to a counter agent. It can be good to have in case they don't know what they are doing (I carry mine with me now after a flight I almost didn't get on because she didn't know how to put it in the system without a passport number), but is NOT required for *non* CASS jumpseating.



Going on from there, if you have more than one leg to hop, I'd discourage trying to do it for a weekend trip... way too easy to get in trouble that way. It's your choice, but I really hate only having one day to do a trip even if it's one hop because something major can happen to get you stuck. If for the second hop flight a flight gets cancelled or grounded otherwise (or even a connection is missed with a lot of reservations) the whole rest of the day can be shot for jumpseating.