That's when you bring the agent a nice cup of Starbucks with a little exlax mixed in for that extra kick.

 

You can always go to another gate to try to list for the jumpseat, but, if there is no time left, tough noogies.

 

I was trying to commute on JetBlue out of FLL to LGA. Was on the phone with the nonrev people there as I was running from Terminal 1 to 3. She said she couldnt make the reservation because they were already in the process of boarding. I proceeded to the gate anyway, 15 minutes before departure time. Got to the gate, no one was left to board, however the line to enter the plane was backed up the jetbridge into the terminal. I went up to the gate agents, and they pretty much told me I was SOL, since I didnt list on the phone. I explained that they werent able to, and they refused to make the reservation for the JS in the computer. I sat there in the boarding area for 15 minutes starring at them, watching all 3 of them sit there behind their desk and do absolutely nothing twiddling their thumbs while the flight went out with 25 seats open...

 

Thats JBU policy and how they do things... JBU has always been one of the best and continue to be.
You missed the cutoff, deal with it... I have many times... and still have no problem with JBU as they 90% of the time go WAAAY out of their way for jumpseaters.

 

Nah. They can do better. And they should. Period.

 

You missed the cutoff. Just as we don't waive the contract/rules neither do they. Get there on time or don't expect to get on. It's not that hard.

 

I agree with this 100%. I have had JB captains stick their neck out for me BIG TIME. But the flip side is that I've dealt with one serious pain in the rear JB gate agent. Luckily a non-rev JB pilot witnessed the incident and alerted the operating captain who ensured I was boarded (at that point +10 departure time).

That being said, all of the above responses are why I choose NOT to commute or be a part of 121 operations. Been there, done that, not worth it.

 

That may have been me. Gate agents didn't want to help me. Said they didn't have time because of a bunch of late connections. Passengers were still boarding and I made eye contact with a guy who gave me a look of sympathy. A few minutes later the CA comes up and tells the agent he's not leaving without me. Best feeling in the world. The gate agents wouldn't look me in the eye or speak to me after that, but I thanked them for their help anyway.

To the guys and gals that come up and check- thank you very much! I always try to pay it forward and make the walk myself. I hope this story is repeated.

 

+1

I always try to check for any non-revs before I get to the plane. Time permitting, I'll make the walk back to the gate as well. I've had one CA criticise me for doing that because "that's not my job".

Of course, he doesn't commute.

 

Had a bad experience in CVG many years ago. Got to the gate 30 min early to list for the jumpseat, but the Comair agent (typical Cincinnati Skyline chili mama) was too busy flirting with a Billy Dee Williams look a like to take notice of the five deep line of passengers waiting for her help. By the time I got to the front she started boarding and refused to list me even though I had been clearly waiting. My wife was traveling on an id90, had a seat assignment already, but that still did not motivate the agent to help. The agent at the next podium saw all of this and offered to list me while she boarded the flight, but the CVG mama yelled at the other agent and said DON'T touch my flight lol. It wouldn't have been a big deal, but it was the last flight to SGF that night and the whole point was to be home for some holiday event. I wrote a jumpseat report to my company, spoke to a supervisor at concourse C, and told all my Comair friends about the incident. Only bad experience in almost 15 years of jumpseating, by far most agents go out their way to help.