Thanks for all the replies. There seems to be some confusion with the terminology (at least in my head).

When I think jumpseat, I'm thinking of sitting in the cockpit observation seat. Obviously, you have to walk in and ask permission. As the airline doesn't generate revenue from my presence, I consider it a form of non-rev travel. Am I good so far?

Now I considerd any seat in the back to be just general non-rev travel. So when I'm commuting from ORD to CLT in 12B, after just listing myself and going to the gate, I should be non-rev correct?

I guess I'd like a clear definition of jumpseating vs. non-rev, and which one requires CA approval.

Thanks

 

Mine is easy, in uniform I stop. Not in uniform I don't. Ill probably let the FA know. Only exception is if I'm on a 757 or bigger and the flight is wide open and we use the middle door to board.

 

No, absolutely not. If you work for United, and you list as a jump-seater on Alaska you must present your documents to the Captain and get her/his permission. I have been in that tricky situation too where the agent tells you to board and the flight attendant is busy with something blocking the flight deck door and you just have to take your seat.

Jump-seating requires that you meet certain requirements, like CASS, and it is a courtesy that you are given an open seat in the cabin if available. You are legally a crew-member when jump-seating. That is why you cant get liquored up, etc.

Non rev is a completely different animal. I don't non rev on any airline as I am a freight dog. My company buys me a ticket, but I am often in uniform. I am always careful to point out that I have a ticket to the FA.

We should act like ladies and gentlemen and help each other out. Remember we are not the enemy.

 

Jumpseating has little to do with where you sit. It has to do with if you are getting a ride for free. Usually this happens "off line", but it can be on your own airline or at an affiliate(express).
You may Jumpseat "in the actual Jumpseat or be put in a vacant seat if it doesn't fill up. Sometimes, a plane is wide open and a gate agent will assign you a seat an prior to departure. You are still jmpseating and must ask the captain for a ride. Obviously you must be a qualifiedCASS pilot or dispatcher.

Non rev, (id90, zed), etc are the other ways to travel, these do not require permission. All work groups and families have this option

Capice?

 

Jumpseating - 1. You SHOULD stop in the cockpit to ask for the ride from the Captain and introduce yourself to the FO and at least
the Lead FA. The Captain in turn SHOULD ask to see your credentials, that is your current ID and Medical. I've had one or two old timers ask to see the FCC radio license. CASS, I think, only tells that you are permitted to use the cockpit jump seat. Whether you are online or offline, stopping in, I think, shows respect and professionalism towards the crew.
NonReving - Just show up. Follow the check in procedures. Board when
you're called. Take your seat, shut up and keep your feet off
wall and the furniture. Don't do anything stupid for the crew
to get involved and throw you off. Enjoy

 

I would be careful of the use of "should". Here is a link to the regulation. I have not been able to find where it says that the Captain must verify this as it appears that it can be done by the gate agent.

Jumpseat Information > Home

8900.1 Vol. 3 Ch 2 Sec 1, Exemptions, Deviations, Waivers, and Authorizations

F. Identity and Eligibility Verification Methods. The following guidance is to be addressed in operators’ procedures in verifying an individual’s identity and jump seat eligibility. Methods are arranged by type of operation.

1) Method #1: Passenger-Carrying Operations—Employees of the Part 121 Certificated Air Carrier, Wholly Owned Domestic Subsidiaries, or Domestic Code-Share Partners. Certificate holder procedures for accessing the flight deck (jump seat) must include verification of identity, employment status, and jump seat eligibility at gate check-in using the procedures outlined in subparagraph 3-46D.

2) Method #2: All Operations—Eligible Employees of Other Part 121 Certificated Air Carriers. Certificate holder procedures for accessing the flight deck (jump seat) must include verification of identity, employment status, and jump seat eligibility at gate check-in using the procedures outlined in subparagraph 3-46D and as follows:

a) Additional items for non-company flightcrew members accessing the flight deck:

1. Current medical certificate if the requester serves as a flightcrew member for his or her employer.
2. Appropriate airman certificate.
b) Flight deck access by non-company employees must also be authorized by the issuance of OpSpec A048.

 

It isn't that you SHOULD stop by the flight deck. It's that you MUST. If you are jumpseating you must ask the CA for permission. The agent verifies whether a pilot is in the CASS data base because pilots do NOT have the ability to do so. The CA can't see who is or isn't in CASS. CASS is what allows us to occupy the flight deck Jumpseat of an airline other then our own.

Not every pilot group is in CASS(although most are now). So let's say pilot from ABC airlines(ABC pilots are not in CASS) wants to Jumpseat on XYZ airlines. He checks in at the gate, and the agent sees that he is NOT in CASS. He may NOT occupy the Jumpseat of XYZ airlines, but he may occupy an open cabin seat. However, he is still jumpseating and therefore MUST request permission from the CA for a free ride. If the cabin fills up with revenue and non revenue passengers, pilot from ABC airlines is left behind.

 

The ONLY reason why I used the word SHOULD is because boarding can be a fast and fluid process. Gate agent and FA's have at times specifically tell me to take my seat and they in turn will advise the Capt of the hurried situation. Mostly to get the flight out on time or other reasons. I know it's a MUST, but try to argue that point with an offline gate agent or FA and you will be watching the acft pushing back from the terminal. The Captain would not even know anything of you. I follow all jumpseat protocols, including ALMOST ALWAYS saying goodbye to the front end guys and thanking them for the ride. Almost is for the many times I have walked up from seat 42B and the cockpit is empty. Circumstances. Cheers.

 

Senior Skipper,

I'll do my best to clear this up for you. I fly for Delta mainline. If I list myself through Delta's employee non revenue system, check in, & am cleared/assigned a seat in the cabin I am a non revenue passenger. I am under no obligation to introduce myself to anyone, and if I'm not going to work I am free to consume alcohol.

Now, if the Delta flight is oversold & I feel I won't make it as a non rev, then I'll ask to Jumpseat. The agent will verify I'm a Delta pilot and issue me a Jumpseat pass. I must go ask the CA for permission, even if it there end up being seats open in the back. I'm still on a Jumpseat pass, & may not consume alcohol.

Now let's say I want to catch an American Airlines flight home. The flight is less then 24 hours away so I call the non rev assist line and they list me for the flight. I call the non rev assist line so I don't have to list as a jumpseater at the gate. It's a time saver, & a courtesy still offered by AA for OAL(other airline employees) that don't have access to AA's system. However, I'm still being listed as a jumpseater. Once I reach the gate, the agent will verify if I'm a CASS approved jumpseater. This will let the agent know if I can occupy the flightdeck Jumpseat since I'm not an American pilot. Now it turns out there are over 30 seats open in the back, & so the agent issues me a seat. I am given a boarding pass, but I am STILL a jumpseater and I MUST ask the CA for a ride.

The only time you are truly a non rev is if you are traveling on your airline(or if a regional pilot the legacy your airline connects for)using your pass privileges, traveling on a buddy pass, or if you bought an ID90(interline fare). If you aren't using one of those then you are a jumpseater. Hope this helps clear things up.

 

So if I'm using ZED fares or ID90 passes, I'm a non-rev, and don't need to disturb the crew. Otherwise I'm a jumpseater, and need to ask. I think I've got it now.

Thanks