Jumpseating 101
 

In your experience....

1. do off- line crews check in with the Captain even if assigned a seat in the back by the gate agent? And should they

2. If you are from another carrier, non-reving on a pass, do you still check in with the CA?

I have had several crew members (not just newbies, AA, NWA) just take a seat in the back without checking in

1. I am not a captain but it has been my experience that jumpseating crewmembers (pilots and FAs) always check in with the Captain wether they are on- or off-line. Personally, I always check in with the pilots and the FAs when jumpseating.

2. If I am non-reving and just listed as a standby (not as a jumpseater) I usually just take the seat I am assigned without checking in with the crew. My understanding is that there is no reason to bother the crew since I am traveling under the same status as my family travels. They don't have to check in with the flight crew.

Jumpseating, always.

Non-reving, it is not considered a requirement and I usually don't bother the pilots, but might try to let an FA know just in case they have one of those "is there a pilot on board?" kind of moments...

If I am space-positive, my ticket is paid for so I certainly don't feel obligated to check in, but I am usually in uniform so the cabin crew knows where to find me if they need me.

Do you guys think it's proper 'jumpseat ettiquette' to deplane last and thank the crew one last time, assuming that you're sitting in the cabin? Or is that being too much of a kiss-ass?

Depends. If I am not in a rush for a showtime, I'll hang, maybe even help cross seat belts (yes even as an "Off line") as PAX are getting off, then grab my bag as the stragglers are coming off, and thank EVERYONE (FAs and pilots).
If I am in a rush, I will grab my bag (NOT cutting off people, or running them over), and say thanks to the lead, and the pilots (IF the flightdeck door is open)
Sometimes the flightdeck door stays closed for longer than I can hang, so I'll ask the lead to pass along a "thanks again" to the front end crew. HOPEFULLY most do that. You are getting a FREE ride, no such thing as being a kiss-@$$.
Unless of course you offer to carry the captains flight bag to the plane swap! ;)

Check in with the flight crew (not just the captain) if you can. Don't dis the FO, he might be the captain on your next jump. If the flight is late or you think they are busy, ask the lead FA to say hello for you, with your apologies.

ALWAYS Thank the captain. There is nothing that p***es the crew off more than someone that never says anything. If the door is closed, walk out slowly so you might catch him/her. If you still don't think that you can do it, again, pass word through the lead FA.

A bag of Tootsie Rolls or some other token of appreciation is always appreciated (but certainly not required), especially if you are a regular. DON"T FORGET ABOUT THE FLIGHT ATTENDANTS!! THEY are the ones getting you drinks and stuff! Even a little something for the gate agents is not out of line if you are a regular.

One of the best things that you can do if you're commuting is to make friends with the gate agents. When I was commuting on NWA (offline) I bought the gate/ramp folks some donuts on one of my trips back and forth. It's amazing what a $5 box of krispy kremes will do to get you on future flights...

1. The captain actually has to sign you off if you want to jumpseat, so you have to see him to do it.

2. if you are nonreving then you don't have to say hi to anyone

What you may have seen was pilots actually non-reving. we see pilots get on our planes all the time that are nonreving so they never have to ask the crew if they can ride. Especially a lot of fed-ex pilots where the company actually pays for their ticket, but they fly in uniform. So even pilots in uniform may still be non-reving.

1) You have to see the captain sign it? Where in the world did you get this from?? I've been commuting and giving people rides for 15 years and I have never even heard this one before. Where would this regulation come from?

2) If the company is buying a ticket, then they are still revenue passengers (just in uniform). The olnly way they would be no-revs is if they are flying on their own airline, in which case they would most likely be deadheading, not non-reving.

Thanks to all for your information from a future commuting jumpseater!