I had a 1800 short call or field standby (don’t remember which) and by looking at the schedule was pretty sure I was going to be assigned a trip. I wasn’t consolidated yet and I wanted to fly as much as possible as I frankly wasn’t thrilled with my performance thus far. So I drove.

AA doesn't do non-rev or JS by seniority, so that doesn't make sense.

It's doable. There are usually 5+ pilots
and FAs trying to commute on every flight, sometimes lots more, but as long as you give yourself enough options, you should make it eventually. I just sort of zone out into a zen-like state and try not to get stressed about anything. It's all about your mindset!

I know they don’t, but if they listed as a normal non rev, they are higher than some lower boarding priorities from regional airlines right? I understand they get to reserve jumpseat which is good for them, but by doing so and not listing as a normal priority Non rev when there are a handful of open seats, but more non revs than seats open jumpseaters get left behind but Sky West gate agents get on.

Perhaps my understanding is totally screwed here about how AA does it and I’d love to have any clarifications, but I can’t fathom taking a jumpseat on a United plane when I could have had a seat in the back as a non rev but will now let an ExpressJet flight attendant get a seat in the back all while leaving an AA pilot behind who could have been in the jumpseat.

Underrated question.

Delta is like this too. We're not allowed to list as a jumpseater AND a non rev on the same flight.

So if it looks like I'll get a seat as a non rev then I won't list for the JS to hopefully keep the JS free for an offline pilot.

Thank you for doing that!

I answered the question.

I’m confused by your confusion.

An AA pilot traveling as a “D2” (normal unlimited non-rev listing) is eligible for the mainline jumpseat if it hasn’t been reserved in advance (or taken by a Fed, etc). Most pilots will take the jumpseat if it means it will get a non-jumpseat eligible person on board. Most pilots will take the seat in the back if it gets an off-line pilot into the jumpseat.

Same thing applies to “D2WP” or “D2WA” primary/alternate jumpseat reservations. Most won’t hesitate to take a seat in the back if it gets you in the jump, or bypass the seat in the back to get someone’s parent on board.

Sometimes folks fly on D1s for higher priority, especially when connecting to an international flight and attempting to get international first or business class. They may not want to take the jump in that scenario... you only get 6/year, and many don’t want to “waste” one in the jumpseat. They may be traveling with spouse/kids as D1s as well and not willing to jump unless it’s the only way to get their family on. Some may be willing to take a jump for a fellow D2 or offline pilot, but not a D3 (buddy pass) or ZED. You’re not allowed to check-in on a D1 and a D2WP... allowed to make the reservation but not check in on both.

I can’t imagine that thought process is much different than UAL, seniority vs reservation system aside.

Thanks for the more detailed break down. I can tell you from my 2 years of commuting on the PHX-LAX-PHX run when the stage was set where reserved jumpseat pilots could have had a seat in the back but took the jumpseats instead leaving behind 2 of us offline guys happened more often than not. Perhaps it was just my bad luck but after seeing this go down a hand full of times I never wasted my time on AA unless I knew there were those rare days with 30-40 open seats.