Hey guys and girls,
Off line jumpseater (NK) looking to maybe visit Guam via HNL later In September. Do some scuba diving. It looks like one 777 a day to the island . Any advice or inside knowledge, For jumpseating that route? I assume it’s full mostly but would love to hear from people who’ve done it. Is carrying dive gear an issue ? How’s NRT from Guam I’m case HNL home doesn’t work? Thank you.

 

If your willing to go to Guam to scuba dive (very clear water) with huge drop-offs, then go to ROR instead, a few hours south and 1000% more to see in terms of fish, sharks, and wrecks.

They use US $, no visa required, and the diving was very competitive. If you tell them at Sam's dive shop your airline crew, you'll get free dive gear rental as well. If you stay at the Palau Pacific Resort (PPR) arguably the nicest hotel in all of Palau, the dive shops will pick you up/return you right to the dock at the hotel, and no need for a rental car as taxis are cheap and easy.
The snorkeling right by the hotel is hugely entertaining as well. Giant clams like you see on a Disney cartoon.
Both locations have very clear water though, in Guam you will see much less wildlife due to the topography than in Palau.
Bon Voyage!

 

HNL-GUM is always full and sometimes weight restricted; non-revs and small- motor 777s. I don't think that would affect JS though. NRT seems easier. Good luck.

 

Ditto via NRT. More flights from US and more to GUM!

 

Thanks for the info !

 

Well, I would clarify the 'always full and weight restricted' comments. I flew this route twice a month for mostly the past two years (until ORD base took it over....). Although the flight is often full'ish.....there were days with 80-100 open seats. When the locals see that, everyone and their uncle lists to non-rev, so you will see 50-60 on the non-rev list....mostly buddy pass riders (and many who never check-in or show up).

The weight restrictions can often be mitigated, and I would say that in my experience it was only as issue on perhaps 20% of the flights. HNL westbound is a cargo load issue. The flight will often show max weight, but when the cargo is loaded and 2,000 pounds disappears, we can get most if not all of the non-revs on. GUM eastbound is a runway climb limit. We could get more peeps onboard by doing a packs-off takeoff and mostly eliminating the climb limit issues. Always able to get out of both cities with full loads....and jumpseaters. But.....there is the occasional day when it all falls apart and maxed out is maxed out....
If you are going that far to dive, you might as well continue on to Palau via the flight out of GUM. Never went there, but everyone who did said it was much better than the diving on GUM.
Good luck!

 

Good news is it is domestic and you can ride in the JS if you go through HNL (comfy jumpseats). NRT requires a seat in the back (probably coach).

 

Bad info, hnl-gum is considered a International route so no actual cockpit jumpseat unless you’re a United employee

 

but of course! Ain't colonialism grand --anybody got a copy of the Insular cases? I seem to have misplaced mine....

 

You can borrow mine.