International jumpseating question
 

When Jumpseating on a United international flight, can we get a First class seat if one is available or are we placed back in coach?

Sure, if available. Depends on your destination, BUT its safe to say most international flights have a nonrev list longer than seats available up front. Two class aircraft these days doesn't help the cause anymore. Many passengers use their earned upgrade certificates for being high fliers. Then come the passengers using miles to upgrade. So as a result, its a very slim chance.:(

I tried jumping on UAL few months ago. My wife made it on. Then I was the only one left on the stand by list with one business class seat open. The flight left without me. One of the pilots even came back up to see if they can do anything, but the gate couldn’t figure out how to put me in a business class seat.

Until very recently there was no option for 'upgrading' a jumpseater to Business Class. It did change recently though allowing the captain the authority to permit a jumpseater to occupy any available cabin/class seat in the cabin (with coordination of the lead flight attendant).

The change was in the Sept 8 FOM revision.

I see the change in FOM but just had this happen a month ago... the CSR can't award a JS rider a seat assignment in BC or FC in the computer... only in E... so if no open seat in E it becomes a problem. The way around this is using a Fee Waived SA9 booking. And listing for FC. Other option is hoping that the Captain can work a drug deal... which takes valuable time.

Sounds like we need to fix that ASAP. Also, UAL pilots can sit in the flight deck. Was this an offline?

You an offline JS rider?

Yes. Wife was on a ZED fare