Experiences commuting on ExpressJet

[RobCat]

Xjet has been nothing less than exceptional, even creative at times when getting me to work. Usually the issue isnt the crews, its the CO gate attendants. Get by them and make sure you let the crew know you there. When we first started CO flying we learned right away to see for ourselves if there was a J/S waiting.

 

[nimtz]

As one who many times got 52 peeps on aircraft #'s 925-948, I find this thread slight bs. I don't what airline you work for, but there is no freaking way in 2009 any US airline will bump revenue and accommodate a jumpseater. Quite frankly any creditibility you had went out the window when you made that claim, which was well before the CAL sucks bs you started.

 

[BID]

Express pilots have been great. I honestly can't think of one time where there was an issue.

thanks for the ride!

 

[catIIIc]

I second that I can count on one hand how many times I was bumped off an ER. Thanks for the ride.

 

[dell]

While it is rare to have a weight restricted flight on United, they will take a jumpseater in the cockpit when there is a weight restriction. I do not recall if this applies to other airline jumpseaters as well.

When I was at Express I would occasionally have a restriction that could not be resolved. When this did happen I would in person go to the jumpseater and explain the situation and apologize for not being able to do more. With that being said I would also delay flights until all weight was accounted for, and every person that could be was accomodated. I would use the delay code "Revenue Enhancement" and was never questioned for the tardy departures.

 

[Whydoitry]

While it is rare to have a weight restricted flight on United, they will take a jumpseater in the cockpit when there is a weight restriction. I do not recall if this applies to other airline jumpseaters as well.

I remember this happening once with me, the CA explained that they included all seats in the cockpit as occupied in the BOW or something.

 

[luvz2fli]

Only once did I have a problem with Xjet and that was a flight from CLE to RIC in an XR where everything in that area was like 200-1 so they had to take a ton of fuel. I totally understood and didn't blame them. Every single time the crew went above and beyond, even in the ERs. This guy is just full of it. And the CRJ-200 never weight restricted? HAHAHA ur kidding right? Try Pinnacles or Mesabas. If it's not weight, it's balance restricted. Those planes are terrible.

 

[TNPILOT]

As far as jumpseating on XJT I think we go above and beyond for our guests...I know I do. I would argue that we have the least weight restricted flights of any 50 seat operator with our XR and LR fleet (we have very few EPs). We raised our landing structural weights considerably last year to the point that I have not had a weight restricted flight in over 6 months. Our electronic weight and balance program allows us greater ability to accommodate than a paper system like most carriers because changes are easy. We have opened up the FA jumpseat to CAL and XJT pilots if the cockpit JS is occupied...no as offline you can't take it but I can sure put the CAL or XJT employee in the FA jumpseat and have you up front if it gets you on.

Personally I really don't understand why the guy doesn't go up and introduce himself to the crew while they are making their way to the jetway. I always appreciate when a JS comes up to me an introduces themselves and makes sure I know they need a ride. I always go out of my way to get a JS'er on within legal limits. I'm not going to break any FARs or company regs to get you on...sorry. I wouldn't expect you to do that for me.

As far as CAL gate agents, yes there are occasionally problems however I tend to use the "shower them with kindness" approach whenever I anticipate their might be a problem. Ask them about their day, offer to go them a cup of coffee, smile, empathize a bit if they have a bunch of angry pax around...it's really not that hard. You have to understand that they are angry because you get a FREE ride in a seat that they don't have access to. They pay for their pass riding priveledges. I'm not justifying their attitude just explaining where they are coming from. I'm sure it's frustrating for them when they are traveling and a flight is full in the back and they watch you (who is not a CAL employee and lower on the priority list) walk down the jetway with a free seat.

If you have had a bad experience or two I am sorry, but I refuse to believe that we have an epedemic as you seem to indicate.

 

[Popeye0537]

Only once did I have a problem with Xjet and that was a flight from CLE to RIC in an XR where everything in that area was like 200-1 so they had to take a ton of fuel. I totally understood and didn't blame them. Every single time the crew went above and beyond, even in the ERs. This guy is just full of it. And the CRJ-200 never weight restricted? HAHAHA ur kidding right? Try Pinnacles or Mesabas. If it's not weight, it's balance restricted. Those planes are terrible.

No I'm not kidding, typed in both A/C and have never left a jumpseater behind while on the 200 even with the heavy weights the FAA imposes on us. Can't say that for our 145's

I can say I was once weight restricted on a flight from CLE-DAL when we needed 12500lbs of fuel. I ended up taking everyone at the gate,(47) just made them find room for their bags in the cabin.

 

[nerjdriver]

The branded side is totally different. I agree; very amenable, mostly long term captains. I am just saying, before every push I ask if there are jumpseaters. ALWAYS. Because they are gate agents and get payed muy poco and want to call the shots. I have told agents point blank that its my decision to bring them on board, period.

I have never flown with anybody that would do what you suggest. Sometimes we are a little busy turning an airplane, dealing with weight issues on an ERJ, and going pee pee to come up and pamper jumpseaters. But like I said, get past the gate agent, and I am sure you will be fine. It really isn't our job to come up to the gate after every flight to see if there are jumpseaters is it?

 

[Captain Morgan]

I work at CHQ and I have jumpseated many times on XJT. They have always welcomed me and made me feel at home. It's actually been nice to ride on a clean and orderly airplane. I also had a XJT jumpseater on one of my flights the other day. Despite a 3 hour delay in the deice pad and then 45 minutes of holding, it was a pleasure having him on board and he was nothing but cordial and polite. Nice job XJT. There are a few in every bunch, but I think most people from all airlines are very professional. The original poster must have had a run of bad luck.

 

[urflyingme?!]

Only one problem ever, nobody knew if they could take a JS to mexico, but they had 6 people working on it, and someone had been fired the week before for improper js protocol. Went to the ticket couner for DAL and got a cheap ZED and the total babe FA hooked it up wit' da' strong stuff.

never had a problem

 

[Uncle Bunkle]

As far as CAL gate agents,.... You have to understand that they are angry because you get a FREE ride in a seat that they don't have access to. They pay for their pass riding priveledges.

Woopie doo...Ask a gate agent how much she paid for training to get that job...Better yet, ask a gate agent about their college degree...Oh wait, you mean most gate agents have a GED at the most? Come on, man, be real... An airline can put flyers on a telephone poll and get a new-hire class for gate agents.

 

[DHPFLYN]

I appreciate the responses. All informative and useful. Glad I got to hear some of the other side. Thanks a ton. The weight restrictive ERs have been a problem. FWIW, I rode on a CRJ the other day that was weight restricted and still got on. Very inventive WB.

I have to agree that a leg like MSP-IAH is just asking for a restriction regardless of the regional airframe. Is CHQ still flying to MSP? Surely the CRJ-200 hasn't the fuel capacity to make that.

Funny how you act like you know nothing about the CRJ since you work for CHQ. You talk big here why don't you speak up when I walk up to the boarding area in CRP and tell me you are the one bashing us on flight info. Maybe I will bump some revenue passengers to make sure you get on. ENJOY THE DRIVE A**HOLE.

 

[TNPILOT]

Woopie doo...Ask a gate agent how much she paid for training to get that job...Better yet, ask a gate agent about their college degree...Oh wait, you mean most gate agents have a GED at the most? Come on, man, be real... An airline can put flyers on a telephone poll and get a new-hire class for gate agents.

Did you miss the part where I said I wasn't excusing their behavior only stating where it comes from? Geez.

 

[Whydoitry]

I got to spend the day in MSP due to wt. restrictions on CRJs to CID last week.

 

[CiFIknow]

This whole thread was a flame bait. Notice the person that originated it has not commented on it since the first day. It started out being a thread about why we aren't seen at the gate asking for jumpseaters. Ended up being a thread about our whole jumpseat etiquette. I will take anyone I can and try as hard as I can to take them. I am a commuter as well. I call B.S. on the original poster and still ask the question as to wether he actually flies....

 

[IBNAV8R]

I suspect if the originator displayed the attitude of "me before revenue," he would not get a very warm reception. I'll bend over backwards (increase taxi fuel, lower altitude, etc.) to carry everyone I safely can. If I perceived this guy's attitude I likely wouldn't be in a "helping a brother out" kind of spirit either.

Seems I've heard United has the jumpseater figured into their empty weight.

 

[ces152]

I commuted on ExpressJet From MCI-CLE-MCI for 4 years, when I worked for CommutAir. This route was usually full so I was welcomed up front many times. I can say out of four years I was only denied the jumpseat 4 times, 3 for really overweight situtations, inwhich all three times the captain took the time to explain to me the reason for the denial, which I didn't expect or think was necessary. One other time was a captain who just said no for whatever reason. I really appreciate everything that your crews did to get me on throughout the years and I view your airline as a first class regional thank you.

 

[ArcticFlier]

SkyWest has some nazi gate agents too, especially in SLC

That's something of an ongoing battle. It's not so much the gate agent as it is our Ops. They run the math using some nonsensical numbers and then determine that we can't take an ACM, never bothering to ask us to run the numbers too. Then they tell the gate 'no jumpseats for (insert destination). That's changed somewhat fairly recently. They are supposed to send us an ACARS message letting us know about the ACM request. Seems that's running about 50% for me. I just go inside the terminal for a cup of coffee, ask the agent if there are any jumpseat requests, and stand around for a bit looking to see if anyone looks like they are trying to jumpseat. It's about the best we can do. Hard to get around Ops sometimes if they aren't giving you the proper information regarding ACM's.

The -200's are getting to be a real pain in the ass CG-wise when it comes to being able to get a guy/gal in the actual.

 

[OneBadLT123]

I doubt Mesaba is ever weight restricted between MSP and IAH on the CRJ-900.

Only if we need to use MSY or DFW as an alternate with 35+ min of hold and a full flight of 76 PX. Then its critical, but not necessarily over weight.

 

[OneBadLT123]

Hey I was wondering from a XJT pilot perspective, how do you guys generally feel about dispatchers wanting to hop rides as well?

I was told to avoid XJT because of a few bad experiences in the office, but I find it hard to believe thats its a general problem.

 

[TNPILOT]

Hey I was wondering from a XJT pilot perspective, how do you guys generally feel about dispatchers wanting to hop rides as well?

I was told to avoid XJT because of a few bad experiences in the office, but I find it hard to believe thats its a general problem.

No problem here. Frankly we rarely have dispatchers ask for rides so chances are someone didn't know the policy. If someone ever gives you grief tell them to reference our FOM. It clearly says we can take off line dispatchers if a cabin seat is available.

 

[BlackPilot628]

Nothing but good things on XJT here as well.
I used them from CLE-CLT once and twice from IAH-CLT.

No problems what so ever..