Notices
Regional Regional Airlines

Are F/Os really scum?

Old 03-11-2008, 02:20 PM
  #41  
Gets Weekends Off
 
flycrj200's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Position: A320 FO
Posts: 1,454
Default

Originally Posted by DelDah Capt View Post
You are seriously confusing the difference between non-revving and the Jumpseat. If you list yourself to non rev as an S-3 or S-2 and you get cleared with a seat assignment, then you can take your seat and do what you please. If you request the jumpseat you will ask the Captain for permission (or at the very least introduce yourself to the Captain)....even if the gate agent gives you a cabin seat as part of the jumpseat request. All jumpseat riders, whether they sit in the cabin or in the actual jumseat , must introduce themselves to the Captain and request permission to ride the jumpseat (says so in black and white on FOM page 4-3.2). The only difference between a jumpseater who occupies the actual jumpseat and one who flows back to the cabin is that the Captain need not verify the credentials of a flowback rider.

If you are being taught something other than this, then we need to get our Jumpseat reps together for a little talk.

Believe me, I'm not being a hard ass here. I'm a commuter myself and I'm very sympathetic to fellow commuters and I never play politics with my jumpseat. However, there are certain rules to be followed. I agree that with the many new flowback agreements between airlines now in place (which is a great thing), some Captains get pretty cavalier about requiring you to introduce yourself....that doesn't mean that you should stop doing it.
I agree with you 100%. If you have a jumpseat request then you must talk to the captain and get their permission to ride weather you are setting in the cockpit or the cabin. All I’m saying is that if you have a seat assigned on your boarding pass, then you do not have to talk to the captain. I always stop by and say hi if the crew is not busy if I have a seat assignment. If I have a jump seat request then I always talk to the captain. Please let me know if it’s the wrong way of doing things.
flycrj200 is offline  
Old 03-11-2008, 02:34 PM
  #42  
Gets Weekends Off
 
cubflyer's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Feb 2007
Position: Waiting for retirements
Posts: 232
Default

Originally Posted by The Chow View Post
Not a good idea. The only folks who seems to be willing to play games with the JS are the one who don't commute.

On a side note.....I think Jet Blue has to be the friendliest place to JS.
I DO commute, and I make darn sure that I treat the crew the way I would want to be treated. As far as W&B goes, I have seen crews struggling with W&B issues in order to accomodate me. AND I APPRECIATE IT.

Give me a JSer with an attitude, and I will give him/her the next flight out of ATL due to W&B issues........Humility and respect go along way.
cubflyer is offline  
Old 03-11-2008, 02:40 PM
  #43  
Line Holder
 
aFflIgHt's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Jan 2008
Posts: 39
Default

If I have a jumpseater that doesn't acknowledge the FO I introduce the two of them -- it helps to bring down any barriers and everyone is happy.
aFflIgHt is offline  
Old 03-11-2008, 03:06 PM
  #44  
Furlough line holder
 
andy171773's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Jan 2007
Position: CRJ2, ATR, CRJ7, E145, 737
Posts: 1,845
Default

You for sure are supposed to check in, and if they ride up front, put their jumpseat card in the green envelope (for comair guys). Remember, even our w/b form has an ACM box for their name and to check "in pax cabin".

If he's in CASS listed for the J/S (even on an empty flight)..he must check in, regardless of actual seat location on the airplane.
andy171773 is offline  
Old 03-11-2008, 04:32 PM
  #45  
Gets Weekends Off
 
SmoothOnTop's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Feb 2008
Position: retired
Posts: 645
Default

Originally Posted by cubflyer View Post
As far as W&B goes, I have seen crews struggling with W&B issues in order to accomodate me. AND I APPRECIATE IT
So do I.

Don't mess with the jumpseat, if you can accomodate - do it.
SmoothOnTop is offline  
Old 03-11-2008, 04:48 PM
  #46  
Gets Weekends Off
 
SayAgain's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Mar 2007
Position: standing-by
Posts: 287
Default

Originally Posted by Meatball View Post
If I were your Captain, I would have noticed the jump-seater "dissing" you and corrected the situation. I would have done that by introducing him to you. "and this is Bob..." Disrespect my f/o and you disrespect me. Also, I would have made it a point to bring you into the conversation if the guy was ignoring you. Sounds like your captain was a bit of a jerk too. Did you mention this to him? Something like, "did you notice that guy didn't even acknowledge my existence?"

Having said all that, yes, there are many captains who look down their noses at f/o's.
You're right. I sat many years in the right seat and had a couple of j/s'ers ignore me too. So now I'm in the left, I introduce the js'er to the F/O if they don't do it themselves and include them in the coversation. It's just good manners. Your Capt. should have done that too.
SayAgain is offline  
Old 03-11-2008, 05:05 PM
  #47  
APC co-founder
 
HSLD's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Feb 2005
Position: B777
Posts: 5,853
Default

If there is any question as to what a guy or gal's attitude is, try this.

Extent your hand with a smile, and say these words:

"Hi my name is _______" Then, start a conversation and be a gracious host.

If you still get the cold shoulder, ask why.


I once had a jumpseater that was a little obtuse, and it was really grating on me. About halfway through the flight I had had enough and I asked If I had said something to offend him (I knew I hadn't but here was his opportunity to vent without being accused).

Turns out he was jumpseating home after receiving notice of a death in his immediate family. Here was this guy going home to bury his kid and I was worried out my feelings. Yes I felt like a jerk, but thankfully that I hadn't more direct. It's hard to know where a guy's head is, but what I do know is as professionals we have the opportunity to help each other - professionally and personally.

Lesson learned: It's not all about me.
Second lesson learned: When in doubt ask
Third lesson learned: No matter what you feel on the inside, maintain your composure on the outside (if you don't, it could come back to make you look like a jerk).
HSLD is offline  
Old 03-11-2008, 05:18 PM
  #48  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: May 2007
Position: Some Hotel
Posts: 1,617
Default

Can't remember where I found this, but here are some good pointers...

Here are my suggestions for getting a jumpseat and appropriate jumpseat ettiquette:

1) Travel in uniform. It always helps identify you as a pilot and often clears some of the bureaucracy. If you're not traveling in uniform, you'd better be traveling in business class attire (slacks/collared shirt), and have a tie available in your suitcase just in case- some places still have tie policies on the books and some captains might hold you to them.

2) Try to catch the crew at the gate when they come up. If that's not possible, ask the gate agent if it's okay to pre-board so that you don't interrupt the closing of the flight or get in the way of boarding passengers.

3) If you can't pre-board or meet the crew at the counter, when you go down the jetbridge, leave your bags at the door to the aircraft, off to the side and out of the way of boarding passengers. Enter the aircraft and politely introduce yourself to the lead FA. " Hi! My name is Bob, I work with XYZAirlines and am trying to jumpseat today. Mind if I poke my head upfront?"

4) Once you get the go ahead from the FA, step up to the cockpit entry way. Double check that you have EVERYTHING THAT YOU NEED TO JUMPSEAT READY. You should have your medical, certificate, boarding pass, and company ID all set to hand to the captain. If you're flying via the CASS system, you should also have your passport out and ready.

Odds are the crew is doing something. If they are running a prestart checklist, WAIT UNTIL THEY ARE DONE WITH IT! If they aren't running a checklist, knock on the cockpit door, extend your hand (to shake) and say "Hello gentlemen" or "Hello, sir/ma'am/captain" "I'm Bob Hoover, and I was wondering if I could ride along with you today."

Most captains at this point will do the once over- some might reach for scab lists or ask for additional verification of some details. If it's not 30 seconds to departure, there's nothing wrong with asking about the latest news at the company or some other mundane detail. If it is getting towards pushtime, thank the crew for the ride, offer your assistance should it be needed and hightail it out of there.

If you need to retrieve your bag from the jetbridge, stand patiently by the exit to the cockpit/galley for a break in the passengers. Most good FA's will ask the boarding passengers to wait for just a second. If they don't you can turn to face the entry and take a step forward (which 99% of the time will cause the passengers to stop), but don't try to push your way out. Also bear in mind that for this particular moment, the people boarding the plane might think that you're one of the pilots, so put on a smile and return any greetings that you get. Inform the lead FA of whatever seat you're in and let them know that they can call upon you if they need you in any manner.

Finally, once you get settled in and the flight gets underway, take a few minutes to WATCH the safety briefing. It's professional courtesy to the flight attendants. Don't put on your ipod or go right to sleep, take the 90 seconds to maintain eye contact and set an example for the rest of the passengers. You'd be surprised how much they appreciate it.

Last step is when you depart. If possible wait for most of the passengers to leave, unless you're in a hurry to connect or meet a showtime. Cross the seatbelts in your row- leave any trash on the seat cushion (unless it will spill), and then work your way to the front. Thank the cabin and flight crew for the ride and be sure to offer your company's jumpseat to them in return.

I followed this policy for 4 years of commercial flying and was never denied a jumpseat due to my behavior, and never had any uncomfortable moments like posted above. Most times I ended up in first class, although I think those days are pretty much over for non-revs with the number of free upgrades that they give out these days...

Have fun- Fly safe!
CRJDriver is offline  
Old 03-11-2008, 05:44 PM
  #49  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: May 2007
Position: ex-CRJ, now-ERJ FO
Posts: 209
Default

Yeah, I've seen that before too. Very well put-together list. Couldn't agree with it more.

ALWAYS ask the CA to jumpseat....as someone else said, if you checked in at the gate for the JS, you need to pop up front, regardless of a seat assignment. If you listed yourself on the non-rev list, head on back. Even those guys check in sometimes...and I used to as well. Nice to know sometimes if there is a qualified crew member in back in the unlikely event......

In regards to the original post, I wouldn't take offense at all. I've had some flights where the JSer and I talked the whole way without a peep from the CA, others where I took the radios so that CA & JSer could chat. Just depends...no big deal.

Also....I agree JetBlue is one of the best jumpseating experiences I've had. Thanks guys & gals!
down2mins is offline  
Old 03-11-2008, 06:02 PM
  #50  
Gets Weekends Off
 
trackpilot's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Mar 2007
Position: CRJ FO no more
Posts: 463
Default

Originally Posted by Justdoinmyjob View Post
At DAL, jumpseaters show up on our AWABS and even if you get a seat in the back you are required to check in with the captain. Jumpseating is NOT non-reving. As a NR you can drink, as a jumpseater, even in civilian clothes you cannot drink. The only difference is the OAL FA jumpseaters. Technically they are ID0 nonrevs, not jumpseaters and can only sit in a cabin seat, not an actual jumpseat.

Non reving is a benefit, jumpseating is a priviledge. In the last two weeks, had two captains threaten to throw off at least 5 jumpseaters, including one Comair guy for just taking a seat in the back. They made the agents go get them and bring them up. Was it a dick move? Some would say yes, some no. Remember, regardless of the agent handed you a seat card, you still are riding at the captains discretion and you need his/her permission.
Wow thanks for the info. I've jumpseated a few times on Delta so far and always got a spot in the back. I never thought to ask the CA for permission. There have also been times when other pilots listed for the jumpseat and got a seat in the back with me and i never noticed them asking the CA either. But now i know. Thanks.
trackpilot is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Canyonair
Hiring News
152
08-25-2023 04:43 AM
Fileater55
Regional
50
01-02-2008 10:17 AM
Apollo
Regional
13
11-08-2007 01:33 PM
mia1900fo
Regional
10
09-05-2007 02:09 PM
Freight Dog
Hiring News
0
05-03-2005 11:44 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Your Privacy Choices