Jumpseat Etiquette (again)

[Mooseflyer]

Because it is a priviledge not a right. Many union volunteers have spent lots of personal time working to ensure the jumpseat is available for all pilots. Some pilot groups have spent negotiating captial to solidfy jumpseating into it being just a bit more than a priviledge...ergo a negotiated right.

Many of us need the jumpseat to get to work. We've spent allot of time getting CASS online. It can be taken away. And jumpseat agreements have been voided between pilot groups, it usually comes from arrogant pilots, MIL guys too, believe it or not, that cause a stink......

For example there was a MIL pilot who was working his CIV job and was jumpseating home. He was offered a beer by the FA. He used his combat air tactics training to "convince" himself to go for it....("the fighter pilot in me said go for it!") Not very bright.

There is a mindset amongst some that the MIL guys decide to fly for the airlines and think that jumpseating is just another entitlement or rightful perk (as they j/s to guard weekend.) It is attitudes like that...that result in others having to clean up someone elses mess. And it puts us on edge that the privledge will change for the worst...Are you one of them?

Rez,
I certainly appreciate your point re: the ground that has been covered to get us this priviledge. I commuted cross country, offline, with no CASS, for awhile and certainly could not have done it without help from my peers. I'm not advocating that I think we should consider jumpseating a "right", but I'm consistently amazed at the responses to these recurrent threads about the "proper" jumpseat procedures. I mean, whose a$$ are we supposed to be kissing? I feel that we, the crews, are all on the same team so to speak. Sure it may be nice to bring candy, it's nice to help the FAs with bags, etc, but in the end, does anyone really care if I take a seat which otherwise would have been empty? Wouldn't you, as the operating crew, WANT to help out one of your peers, even from another company, if given the opportunity? I've heard guys say "well, he didn't introduce himself to me, so I kicked his a$$ off!". WTF? Is it really that much of an ego trip for someone? You're going from A to B - one of your peers would like a ride and you're in a position to offer one - why would you not?

I hope to help you understand the military background with the following statements. You said that some Mil guys consider jumpseating a "right" as they go to to guard weekend. Well, in the military, jumpseating IS a right (almost). It's called Space-A. I would never consider leaving someone behind if I have room, and I don't base that decision on how well they kiss my a$$. 99% of the time, I don't even speak to the Space-A pax - they don't ask me for a ride at the beginning, and they typically don't say thanks when it's over. Doesn't bother me one bit.

 

[RogerMOSA]

So, when Scrap is a guest at someone else's place for dinner, the rule might be:

1. Show up. "What's for dinner?"
2. Inhale dinner
3. Thanks for dinner, and bolt.

Hugh! What's up man? You going to B-5? I hope you make it. I'm probably going to j/s down there, so I was reading up on how to conduct myself.....haha...

We'll import some LBFMs to sweeten the deal if you are on the fence.

 

[CHIEEEEFS]

I believe some are confusing the 'advice' to smooze FA's on long flights with the title of the thread regarding etiquitte.

And of course the new point of mil dudes not in form to request a jumpseat due to confusion with space-a.

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

I mean, whose a$$ are we supposed to be kissing?

This is where I think you miss the point. There is none of this going on... just a simple gesture of respect and gratitude for a free ride. No where else in the world can one show up last minute at a gate and get on a jet..for free....

but in the end, does anyone really care if I take a seat which otherwise would have been empty?

Unfortunately....some people do care... for quite a while flowback or unlimited jumpseating was a real issue. FA's and Gate Agents did not want multiple off line pilots Jumpseating in the cabin because they couldn't ride for free on thier own airline. Why should someone else? It taught us to be real careful and polite. One perceived faux pas and the gate agent wouldn't let you down to see the captain...

Wouldn't you, as the operating crew, WANT to help out one of your peers, even from another company, if given the opportunity?

Ever heard of a jumpseat war?

I've heard guys say "well, he didn't introduce himself to me, so I kicked his a$$ off!". WTF? Is it really that much of an ego trip for someone?

For some yes.... ergo the whim of the captain. Life is not fair.....

You're going from A to B - one of your peers would like a ride and you're in a position to offer one - why would you not?

I agree. And I would... and if I was disprescted and taken for granted I still let the guy ride but I'd let him know his behavior was unsat. How do you know that your behavior might not be offensive to another? You don't, so you go the extra mile....

The regional guys would always wonder when they'd get chided by the major guys simply for being a regional guy...

When 9/11 occured jumpseating was gone and saved within one conference call.

I will say that jumpseating has become less of a formality. It always used to be shirt and tie. I think during the BK era many of us calmed down with the formalities. We were getting hammered and we just wanted to get to work.. but I fear we should not make it too casual. It is the one last great perk of the job... Management can and has used it as a bargaining chip...

I find the jumpseat very valuable and I have seen the jumpseat benefit change from good to bad and back to good. Thus I appreciate what the benefit is....And I am willing to go above and beyond to protect it... but that is just me...

Carry on..... you're not getting kicked off the jumpseat so your M.O works....


These are just my opinion.

 

[freightdogfred]

Moose - best post on this thread yet. Amazing.

A simple gaze a both his and Moose's avatar and you understand why they just don't get it.

 

[Carl_Spackler]

If you exit the cabin normally, the crew will still be there for you to thank. If you wait till the end, the crew will be long gone AND you have to sit there while all of the pax thank you for the nice flight.

 

[Scrapdog]

A simple gaze a both his and Moose's avatar and you understand why they just don't get it.

Jesus, I thought this thing was dead. Ok, I'll bite, what don't I get? I don't get that you need to buy cookies or other deserts to ride a jumpseat? Bullsh*t. I have said over and over (ref my prior posts) that it takes common sense and courtesy - something you do in everyday life. That's all it takes to ride the jumpseat. I've done it a fair number of times so far without issues. I say "thanks for the ride" I shake the guys hand and I take my seat. So, because I fly a fighter, I don't get it huh? So, if that's so off base, please freightdogfred, enlighten me a little further.

 

[Deuce130]

I brought cookies one time. The first time I jumpseated. Haven't done it since. Instead, I introduce myself to the usually very busy captain, politely ask for a ride, show him my tickets, then get out of his way. I then politely tell the gate agents the CA said I was good to go, wait to board, introduce myself to the head FA, get in my seat, and make a small footprint. I wait til everyone gets off, I leave, thank everyone, go home.

Rez, you claim ALPA negotiated all this stuff for us. If so, then why do I need to bring gifts, chocolates, or cookies? If I politely ask for a ride and it's granted, then both the CA and I are simply going along with the intent of our ALPA negotiators. Done deal. I've rarely met one pilot in an airport who isn't in some kind of hurry. Stopping at the airport newsstand and shelling out 9.95$ for crappy cookies who most people will never eat anyway doesn't make much sense.

 

[say again]

Got any BIG watches for sale?

I think I may have a few in the attic.:laugh:

 

[Tanker Clown]

I guess it all depends on who you jumpseat with. If the CA is a mil guy, I usually give the secret hand shake and show him nude pictures of my wife. When the CA doesn't have a mil background I excuse myself to the lav and leave a Cleveland Steamer in the sink. That's my $.02.

I realize my actions are a tad childish, but so is this whole debate on the mil vs. civil jumpseating. So I guess what I'm saying is...maybe everyone deserves to see the nudies of my wife and a Cleveland Steamer in the sink.