OAL guy here, wondering if it would be a terrible idea to try to Jumpseat on United with a checked bag. Can OAL guys check a bag while hitching a ride? Any issues? If it’s allowed, I assume procedure is to just show up at the ticketing counter? Thanks.

 

No clue if it’s allowed but sounds like a terrible idea to me. Vast amounts of issues could mess things up.

I wouldn’t even try checking a bag even as a ownline jumpseater.

Airline discounts at FedEx are pretty good. Consider sending that way (depending on what it is)

Otherwise consider gate checking the bag AFTER you’ve been approved to JS by the Captain.

 

How exactly do you imagining checking a bag as a jumpseater at the ticketing counter (outside of security) would work?

Without introducing yourself to the Capt. of the flight and receiving permission to ride, what's the basis for expecting that you (and your checked bag) would be accommodated?

I'll skip the SSI concerns on an open forum, but dude, really?

FedEx offers an amazing professional courtesy in the form of discounted rates. If I'm on vacation or traveling with gear on days off that's been a great way to go.

 

I’ve checked bags on both United and Delta as a jumpseater (outside of security). As long as you’re ok with the fact that your stuff may make it to your destination while you sit at your point of origin, it’s simply a matter of going to the ticket counter. As stated in previous posts it’s not ideal, but if you have to do it it’s workable.

 

Wow, seriously? I've done it, and it's a non issue.
Just accept that in the 1/100000th chance that the captain either is an ass, or thinks you're an ass and denies you the jumpseat, you'll have to pick up your bag from the list bag office after catching a later flight.

I'm surprised by the responses here. Same with gate checking a bag after getting permission to jumpseat... It is an (important) formality, but it's just that. If a captain is unilaterally denying you a jumpseat, he'll be hearing from his jumpseat committee.

How exactly do you propose to argue with a gate agent, as an offline jumpseater, right before the door closes who tells you that you need to gate check your bag. "No, I'm going to talk to the captain, come back up, have you print my bag tag, come back down, give it to the ramper, then board." Yeah, good luck... You guys must not jumpseat very often.

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A further complication as an OAL jumpseater you’d probably have few options to know if the jumpseat is already spoken for and/or if the loads in the back can accommodate more than one cockpit JS rider.

Best of luck whatever you try.

 

If necessary, check it at the gate. That’s the safest bet.

 

So to paraphrase, you've done it so it's not a big deal. Checking in at the gate is strictly a formality, never mind the practical importance of determining if the jumpseat is even available (which can't be done at the ticket counter), and checking bags at the ticket counter vs. gate checking bags are completely different.

As a working UAL guy I'll do everything I can to accommodate an OAL jumpseater, bags and all. As a UAL guy, I'd never as another airline's employees to schlep my excess luggage when I'm trying to travel as a jumpseater. But, you be you.

 

No one is schlepping anything, any more than the offline pilot has to "schlep" your body to the destination. I say it's not a big deal, because there is a procedure for the agent to do it and they had no difficulty during the couple of times I've done it. That same agent (outside security) can tell you all of the load/jumpseat available answers you're wondering about. I've done it on Delta and Usair, as an offline guy. I never said checking in at the gate was a formality.

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Our FOM says a jumpseater may check bags at the counter or gate. You simply need to have a reservation that they can check you in for to tag your bag.

If you don't travel, it probably won't either.