I agree. I also think it's getting tougher to hire the kinds of folks they want to hire. The Gen X, Y, and Z people in general are a tough group to root through to find the kinds of candidates they are looking for.

Always enjoyed the courtesy and kindness of SWA pilots accommodating me on the jump seat and/or with a seat in the back.

Gate agents and FA's do get a bit snippy, but not bad really. I just ignore the mean ones.

A plug here for AA. I had a Captain come out of the cockpit and apologize he didn't have a first class seat for me when I was JSing and I ended up in Coach. heck, I was just glad to have a seat in the back. However, he had to manage the Stew's. I could tell his FA's were a bit cantankerous. AA FA's seem to be a bit tired and worn out.

In my experience, it depends upon the station. Most of the stations will let you preboard so you can show your tickets, drop off the paperwork and ask the Captain for a jumpseat ride even if you're in the back.

Other stations don't and those are usually at the busier airports (LAX, ATL, for example). That said, it ALWAYS helps to list on the phone. That way it make it easy for the CSA to pull up your info and process you, especially at the busier stations.

Note: You can't list on the phone if the flight departs in less than 1 hour.

I've never had a single problem with a SWA jumpseat. Everyone I've encountered, pilots, F/As and CSAs have been uniformly helpful and accommodating. Thanks for the ride!

Cockpit jumpseaters are supposed to preboard in order to get your introductions without jamming up the boarding process. It is in the GOM. When they announce preboards, go line up behind the wheelchair folks and go down right after them. You are doing everyone, including yourself, a favor.

Does this apply to "cockpit jumpseaters" who are sitting in the back? I have tried to pre-board a few times, and was told to get to the back of the line. And a couple of times, I have been allowed to pre-board but got the stink eye.

Conversely, I have also been told to pre-board when I got my boarding pass, and a seat in the back.

So it seems to be all over the map. Would be nice to know what the official policy is, if I am jumpseating but have a seat in the back.

I use SW a lot and I am always treated great! Thank you!

Mr. White

Agreed. It's all over the map and leaves me always on edge as to what to do. When I wait, I'm asked why I waited. When I ask to pre-board, I'm told I'm in group C. Hahah. Can't win!

That said, all the crews I've dealt with have been more than accommodating, so Thank you!

I believe that any time you are on a jumpseat pass, you are required to check in with the cockpit to verify credentials. Even if they give you a seat in the back, you are still a jumpseater. Go down with the preboards. You are not a nonrev pass rider obligated to board with your group. Many ops agents are clueless.

I had a SWA pilot look it up one day, and from what he read, you are allowed to pre-board when your boarding pass is for the actual flight deck jumpseat. Otherwise they can tell you to find your place in line with your boarding group. Most of the time I get away with pre-boarding when I have a seat in the back, but it always depends on what mood the agent is in, of course. I use SWA all the time and they always treat me well!

The key is to have a flight deck jumpseat pass. Some of the agents don't want to take the extra 10 seconds to do CASS so they will just print a boarding pass. If you politely ask them (before they print the pass is best) for the flight deck jumpseat then that is usually what you will get.
Flight deck jumpseaters always flow to the back unless the flight is going to be completely full. The standard spiel is "thanks for checking in, welcome aboard, take a seat in the back somewhere close and we will call you if we need you".
At most of the smaller or older SWA stations, anyone in uniform will preboard regardless of what kind of boarding pass they have.

Tried to pre boaRd on my DH today and the ops said I had to wait in line with everyone else. I brought up the policy has changed so we can pre board and he wouldn't even look at me.
We had 3 DH and not one of us was allowed down before our group.
So there is definitely some grouches out there.