We had a pilot the other day give up his positive-spaced seat to a non-rev passenger and sit in the jumpseat. I was wondering about the general perception/guidelines for doing that. Thanks!

 

I'd never do it when deadheading. Had several gate agents ask me to ride the JS and I've always said no. I commute and I'm not gonna screw over another commuter

 

As long as it doesn't keep another jumpseater trying to commute from getting on, no harm no foul.

 

^^^^
That's my motto as well. Unless its on a 3-4 hr ride.

 

I'll take a jumpseat to get a non rev on as long as there are no other pilots trying to go. If there is another pilot I'll take the seat in the back.

 

Bzzzzzt! HUGE foul.

Your airline contract may vary, but there a so many reasons why this is a bad idea. Just a few:

1. You have a contractual right to a positive space seat for company directed DH. Enough people settle for a JS and now you're having to justify why you need it when it's time to negotiate your next contract.

2. You end up screwing a commuter out of the JS. You don't know how many people the gate agent turns away after you take it or you're already down in the cockpit.

3. You take it, give up your seat to a revenue passenger, they board the jet and a last minute pilot senior to you bumps you off the JS. You think the gate agent is going to kick the pax out of your seat without a fight? Maybe you get to talk to a CP about why you didn't get where the company wanted you IAW your pairing. At the very least you've got one POed pax if you do get your seat back. Or maybe you end up sitting around the terminal waiting on the next flight to your destination.

This was probably the second thing everyone was taught about jumpseating (behind asking the Captain for the privilege and saying "thank you" when you block in).

 

There is that, but a lot of times it is down to the last minute anyways. I took the jumpseat one time to help out a fellow non-rev passenger. We were last ones on (gate agent closed door and walked down with us). It was not entirely selfless though... it was on a 767 so the JS was much nicer and otherwise I would have been middle seat last row. Plus I got a meal. Worth it.

I think the biggest thing - don't screw another pilot out of the JS.

Oh and before any of the mods blow a gasket, we are not disclosing any SSI so chill out. Hopefully we can educate some people with this topic.

 

I absolutely agree.

 

I don't think I'm going to be successful, but I'll try anyway.

It's easy to get into "group think" mode if you've been in a culture that allows or even encourages this. This is not the norm guys. I seriously doubt you'll find any US major airline pilot group that would consider this option a good thing. Ask any ALPA jumpseat committee member if they think this is a good idea.

First, you're not "a fellow non-rev". The gate agents might call you that, but you are a positive space deadheading pilot. The company is basically paying (by not selling your seat) to get you where they need you. It's no different than Mr. Smith who works for company XYZ in the seat next to you flying on company business.

I get that you want to help another employee out but sometimes you have to hold the line on your contract (even if you get stuck in a middle seat and you're hungry). It's a slippery slope.

Second, the fact that it's last minute is irrelevant. A lot can happen at the last minute. A gate agent looking at now removing a non-rev pax or maybe even a revenue pax, re-seating you in your old seat and boarding a last minute jumpseater is probably just going to say "no, the JS is occupied". Little would suck more than doing the strut of shame from the F gates to the C gates at Ohare only to find out a pilot with a positive space seat is now in the JS you need to get to work or home.

Please give it some thought.

 

As others have said its a good move IF there are not other pilots trying to get to work/home.

Absolutely. DHers should take their seat in the back. ONLY take the jumpseat IF there are no other pilots looking to commute. That said, you'll be the hero to the CSA if you do it and that can go a long way in the future.