Airtran charging for jumpseating

[bottomfeeder]

Is this true? Please tell me it's not. Someone said they charge 30 bucks.

 

[PCL_128]

Is this true? Please tell me it's not. Someone said they charge 30 bucks.

Yep, this is old news. They only charge for more than one jumpseater though. The policy says that the first jumpseater goes for free, the additional jumpseaters pay 25 bucks. They've never actually done it to me though in the last dozen times I've gone on Airtran when I was the second or third jumpseater. Most of the gate agents will just let it go. Even if you have to pay though, it's better than getting left behind like on some other airlines.

 

[Midnight Mike]

Speaking of Airtran, how many 717's do they have? I thought they had about 67.

 

[flx757]

Mike,

Currently there are 64. There will be 73 by year's end.

 

[FLB717]

Corky

Yes a recip agreement is req.

 

[Skank]

The crews I have ridden with have been awesome, and I've never had to pay for a jumpseat. I don't think any crewmember there likes the policy.

 

[flybrowntails]

Wow! "Sure you can jumpseat--no problem--will that be cash, check or charge?"

Wow!

 

[flybrowntails]

WOW!

"Sure you can jumpseat--no problem--will that be cash, check or charge?"

Wow!

 

[trainerjet]

Air Tran has been great to jumpseat with. One of the best around.

Just curious, browntails, during the last year, how many off-line jumpseaters has UPS taken at any cost? Really...WOW!!

 

[flybrowntails]

UPS and the IPA both have wanted to allow offline jumpseaters--you may thank the FAA for not allowing this to happen. Due to many, including CAPA, ATA, IPA, UPS will will be allowing offline jumpseaters.

Welcome aboard--but please no tipping.

 

[sabreliner]

Wow! "Sure you can jumpseat--no problem--will that be cash, check or charge?"

Wow!

Sir, I find your sarcasim sorely misplaced. It is sort of like criticizing UPS pilots for not taking ANY jumpseaters.

As many have said, the first offline jumpseat is free. After that, they will fill the plane with offline pilots, but they are suppossed to charge $25. I say "suppossed to" because in all my commuting on AirTran, I have only had an agent charge me once. The $29 (after taxes) was certainly a lot cheaper than not making it to work would have been.

I find that AirTran's policy is a lot more open than many other carriers, whom only allow one jumpseater regardless of the number of open seats in the back (AA, DAL, etc.)

AirTran has gotten me to and from work many times. The agents are usually very nice, and the crews are always great. Thanks for the rides, guys.

 

[Ty Webb]

Wow! "Sure you can jumpseat--no problem--will that be cash, check or charge?"

Wow!

Spoken like a true idiot. How many off-line pilots have you carried lately, flybrowntails? How many has your whole company carried?

Tell you what- why don;t you go ahead and PM me your name, flybrowntails, and I will personally make sure that your MEC Jumpseat Chairman, whose personal letter thanking us for still carrying your colleagues is posted in our Pilot Mail Room, is made aware of your statements, and I'll let you explain to him why you feel the way that you do.

Our policy is to allow one off-line jumpseater, period. That is actually better than Delta and American, which will only take one jumpseater, whether they are on-line or off-line.

We also allow additional off-line pilots to buy a pass for $25., which is often waived at out-stations.

As was previously mentioned, we pilots here do not like to see them charge any pilot, ever. Hopefully, we can get that changed with our next contract.

 

[wil]

I was close to getting jammed up on my commute. The Delta agent suggested I buy an ID 90 on AA. I asked her to look it up, since I knew our (ASA) walk up fare was 195.00. Well, I guess the ID 90 fare is off the most unrestricted (read expensive) fare because the price was 60 bucks! I waited for the next flight and made it to work well before duty in but if I could have paid 25$ to give me the additional option I would have paid. Small price in my book.
3 years commuting and only one sick call Jumpseat safe- Wil

 

[Palerider957]

Some one mentioned DAL's jumpseat policy. Don't they allow unlimited jumpseaters? ASA does, I've had as many as 12 jumpseaters on my 700.

Just a question for clarification......

 

[Dizel8]

Not many of the big boys allow unlimited jumpseats. Heck, I would gladly pay 25 bucks for a ride, although free would be better.

Happy to say, that we can take as many as we got seats, including F/A's. IMHO great policy.

 

[Ty Webb]

Some one mentioned DAL's jumpseat policy. Don't they allow unlimited jumpseaters? ASA does, I've had as many as 12 jumpseaters on my 700.

Just a question for clarification......

Delta mainline only allows 1 jumpseater, be it on-line or off-line. I have also been bumped from Eagle flights because an AA guy walked up at the last minute . . . that was a long time ago, but I have never heard that it has changed . . . . . .

 

[Skank]

Eagle still only takes one j/s.

 

[ETXflyer]

Airtran Jumpseat

I just jumped on them yesterday and I had to pony up $25! I think it is a bunch of crap since we take unlimited jumpseaters and don't charge them, but then again, I certainly don't fault the crews. They were all exceptionally nice and treated me great. I'm sure they aren't the ones who dreamed up this little gem of a rule anyway.

CBCS

 

[FLB717]

yes the "Pay for Pass Sucks but it is better than walking. Again it was a managment thing and we as pilots dont like it. One reason that was given was our MEM station up to 6-12 J/S per flight as part of the FedEx shuttle program. One thing I remember about my brothers at SWA was when I was at CMR and walking is square circles many of our pilots were denied the J/S by SWA Captains because they felt" You should just be happy you have a job, you should never be on strike" So dont give me crap about my managment when certain pilots cant be right. By the way I want to thank again NWA, UAL, and USA for letting me ride to my duties during that "walk" nearly 3 years ago. Thanks again guys.

 

[Extra300S]

How does one go about a refund? I paid the $25 but caught a ASA flight instead, didn;t have time to wait in line at the Airtran customer service center. Can I call a number? I still have the jumpseat slip.



Signed,
$25 less in my wallet....

 

[FL717]

Re: Airtran Jumpseat

I just jumped on them yesterday and I had to pony up $25! I think it is a bunch of crap since we take unlimited jumpseaters and don't charge them, but then again, I certainly don't fault the crews. They were all exceptionally nice and treated me great. I'm sure they aren't the ones who dreamed up this little gem of a rule anyway.

CBCS

My question to you is: If its a bunch of crap.. then why did you "pony" up $25.00. If you showed up and the jumpseat was taken, then why didn't you simply walk away and catch another flight. You don't HAVE to pay a penny to jumpseat on AirTran. You CHOSE to pay $25.00 to on the spot non-rev since the jumpseat was already taken when you got there. Now you're gonna get on this board and backhand slam the policy.... a policy YOU took advantage of and benefited from (you obviously had to be somewhere.. right)?

Our one J/S rider per flight policy is in line with 75% of the industry. The fact your airline is different is irrelevant. AirTran took unlimited jumpseaters for YEARS, but but I guess that doesn't really matter to you does it? AirTran now only allows one FREE jumpseater, but hey, we also allow additional pilots who show up to non-rev on the spot for $25.00 in a pinch, but I guess that doesn't matter either.

In my opinion you're out of line in posting your negative comment here.

 

[Ty Webb]

Amen, and pass the ammunition, FL717.

I have been turned down time and time again by DAL and AMR when there were plenty of open seats- I would gladly have bought a non-rev pass for $25.

I used to feel bad about the change in policy, and felt sure that we would make it a part of our contract negotiations next year. Of course, it would turn into a "bargaining chip" which means that we would lose out on some other issue that could have improved OUR quality of life, but that would have been OK with me.

After hearing this kind of pathetic whining and crying about it- some of which came from a UPS clown (whose company doesn;t even carry anyone) I don't feel as bad about it, and I doubt that I would still be willing to give up a QOL issue for myself so that some of these whiners can get their ungrateful hides to work.

 

[FL717]

Amen, and pass the ammunition, FL717.

I have been turned down time and time again by DAL and AMR when there were plenty of open seats- I would gladly have bought a non-rev pass for $25.

I used to feel bad about the change in policy, and felt sure that we would make it a part of our contract negotiations next year. Of course, it would turn into a "bargaining chip" which means that we would lose out on some other issue that could have improved OUR quality of life, but that would have been OK with me.

I have commuted for almost 5 years to both 135 and 121 jobs. I was always used to the one jumpseat rider only allowed policy until I got to AirTran. AirTran was one of the few that did... and STILL DOES allow unlimited jumpseaters. I have been left behind by a half empty airplane several times by other carriers, but did I get on a internet message board and act as if I was due something? Of course not.

What I find interesting is this: Our policy is right in the middle of the road between Unlimited jumpseaters (best plan) and only one jumpseater period (worst plan). If you do the math, our policy is BETTER than carriers that only allow one jumpseater period, but my god, people get on here and act as if we have lowered the bar on jumpseating. Its simply not true. I WISH all carriers that will not allow unlimited jumpseaters would at least allow me to "pony" up $25.00 if I have to get somewhere.

The other option... show up early and get the FREE ride, or find another free flight. Welcome to the commuter blues.

 

[ATR-DRIVR]

I have not asked for a j/s on Airtran but if it meant being able to go home or get somewhere I needed to go, I would not only pay the $25 but would say thank you!! All you Airtran guys and others are continued to be welcome on my slow, slightly temperature troubled ATR!

 

[e120pilot]

Everyone complaining about paying $25 for a ride when the jumpseat is taken on Air Tran really needs to get over it. I've jumpseated on every major, and quite a few nationals/regionals. Air Tran would definitely be at the top of my list for jumpseating. Every time I've been on their airplanes, I've been treated like royalty. The only time I didn't get put in Business Class, the Captain apologized that the front cabin was already full. Several times the gate agent attempted to charge me for an extra pass, and one of the pilots helped me get on for free. Regardless, I'd still rather pay the $25 and get on the jet, than sit there and watch a plane leave with 20 open seats.

I've had a number of Air Tran jumpseaters ride on my flights as well. Every one of them was extremely courtious, and thankful for the ride.

I really hope the Air Tran guys realize that these morons complaining about this are really clueless. Here at ASA, I hear nothing but good things about riding on AT. Thanks for the rides!

This thread should die, and those of you morons that don't like the Air Tran jumpseat policy should find another ride to work!

 

[skykid]

I jumpseat Airtran about a dozen times a year to go fishing in Pensacola - I love those guys. The gate agents in Hotlanta and P-cola take care of you and are fun to talk to, along with the inflight crews. About half the time they FORGET to collect my money. Pensacola loves Airtran and it looks to me like they are always full. Twice I have sat by Clark Howard, the radio talk show host and had great discussions on the airline biz. There is a multimillionare lawyer who represents Roy Jones the boxer, and took the tobacco companies for about a billion dollars. I've seen him and his team on Airtran 3 times out of Pensacola. This guy and others helped bring Airtran to P-cola, and I'm glad they did. I used to spend all day trying to get out on Delta, but these guys find a way to get you on board. I've had flight crews come back to make sure I was on board after talking in the terminal. I'd even love to shake hands with my buddy Ty Webb for a flight out after some fishing!

 

[FL717]

I'd even love to shake hands with my buddy Ty Webb for a flight out after some fishing!

I'd stay away from Ty Webb!! He's pure evil you know...

Well.. he did get me back to Atlanta one day.. so he's only partly evil.

 

[skykid]

Nah, I just like to argue with him.

 

[Ty Webb]

You guys are killin' me.


If it were up to me, it would be like one of those "Buy here, Pay here" places used to advertise in Tampa:

"Everybody Rides!!!!"

 

[klhoard]

AirTran Jumpseats

It really p1sses me off to see guys get on here and complain about having to "pony up" $25 for a ride on AirTran. You can't hitchhike from ATL to MEM for that kind of money, and certainly not between any other city pair either.

Without exception, AirTran pilots and gate agents go far out of their way to cater to offline jumpseaters, and have "forgotten" to charge me the fee several times even though I already had my checkbook open.

An AirTran captain once gave up his seat in the cabin and rode in the cockpit so I could have the absolute last seat going to MEM that day. Did he have to do that - no. Did I appreciate it - absolutely!! Would I have paid $25 - absolutely, but they wouldn't take my money!! Will AirTran pilots be welcome on FDX jets once we get clearance from the FAA - Absolutey!!

I want every AirTran pilot to know that you're appreciated by the FedEx pilots, fee or no fee. Don't let the cheap jerks on here bother you. . .