ALPA's jumpseat policy is intentionally ambiguous so as to allow Captains the authority to make decisions about their own jumpseats. For every statement in the policy that states that ALPA discourages denials, there's two more statements that reiterate the Captain's authority to deny whoever he wants. The email that Nevets posted earlier was a knee-jerk response from National because of the deluge of complaints that the committee received about NWA Captains denying JetBlue pilots last year, but ALPA always defends the Captain's right to deny anybody he wants.
Here is the WHOLE ALPA Jumpseat Policy. Your company will determine its jumpseat policy (dress code, priority, etc). The captain should prohibit jumpseaters if it compromises safety (your comapny will also expect this of you).
PART 1 - JUMPSEAT POLICY
SOURCE - Executive Board October 1997; AMENDED - Board 2000
The following policy provides guidelines that may be used by Master Executive Councils in establishing jumpseat policies and procedures with their respective airlines.
ALPA encourages participation by other pilot unions and officials of non-represented airlines in the industry-wide Jumpseat Task Force.
ALPA encourages all pilots to extend the use of their jumpseats to eligible cockpit crewmembers as a professional courtesy and as a resource to enhance the safety of flight. The Captain is, and shall always be, the final authority as to admission to the flight deck.
Denial of jumpseat privileges as a means of punishing, coercing or retaliating against other pilot groups or individuals is not supported by ALPA. The Jumpseat and/or Professional Standards Representative appointed by the respective Master Executive Council or governing body should resolve disputes that arise between pilots, airlines or other unions.
Master Executive Councils should appoint a Jumpseat Coordinator/Committee Chairperson and authorize him/her to work with their Company in establishing and administering jumpseat policy and procedures.
A.MEC JUMPSEAT COORDINATOR/COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON
1.Guidelines for selection of Jumpseat Coordinator/Committee Chairperson
a.Experience - must be knowledgeable of the applicable Federal Aviation Regulations, associated legal interpretations and specific company policies that affect jumpseat usage at their respective airline.
b.Appointment/Term of Office - per MEC policy.
2.Funding for MEC Jumpseat Coordinators/Committee Chairpersons
a.Necessary funding for the MEC Jumpseat Coordinator/Committee Chairperson should be arranged by the respective MEC. Funding considerations should include flight pay loss, as well as other related expenses, to adequately represent pilot issues.
B.DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF JUMPSEAT COORDINATORS/COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS
1.Establish appropriate communication with the MEC to insure proper administration and compliance with the respective airline's jumpseat program.
a.The Jumpseat Coordinator/Committee Chairperson should report directly to the MEC Chairperson or designated appointee. The Coordinator or Chairperson should be authorized to represent the MEC in dealings with Company Officers on jumpseat matters. Issues of a critical nature should immediately be addressed to the MEC Chairperson.
2.Maintain an accurate file of company and industry-wide jumpseat policy and procedures.
a.When changes occur, the MEC Jumpseat Coordinator or Committee Chairperson should communicate them to the ALPA National Jumpseat Committee Chairperson for appropriate dissemination. ALPA resources will be used to keep all members of the Jumpseat Task Force informed on specific airline policies and procedures.
b.Communicate company and industry-wide changes of jumpseat procedures and protocol to the pilot group and other affected company employees. Appropriate union and/or company media sources should be incorporated to accomplish this.
3.Address and resolve issues that may arise over jumpseat authority and usage in a timely manner. Reciprocal airline and other off-line matters should be discussed with the associated Jumpseat Coordinator. Discussions beyond ALPA represented carriers should include the ALPA National Jumpseat Chairperson.
4.Submit a Jumpseat Coordinator/Committee report at all regularly scheduled meetings of the MEC, or as otherwise directed.
C.ADMISSION TO FLIGHT DECK
1.Captains should be familiar with applicable Federal Air Regulations and their own Company policies concerning jumpseat use.
2.ALPA supports the Captain's authority to manage the flight deck environment and resources in a manner that enhances safety. Accordingly, ALPA supports the Captain's authority to exclude any person other than required crew from the flight deck if, in his opinion, that person's presence will compromise safety.
3.If a jumpseat rider is to remain on the flight deck, the Captain will ensure that he/she is properly briefed on safety, communication and evacuation procedures. This may be done verbally or by means of a printed aircraft specific briefing card.
4.ALPA and most airlines consider a pilot jumpseat rider as an additional crewmember. Pilot jumpseat riders must be prepared to exercise flight related tasks that the Captain may assign.
D.CABIN SEATING
1.In accordance with company policy, if a cabin seat(s) is available, the Captain may offer it to a jumpseat rider(s) to accommodate additional jumpseat requests. Appropriate procedures for such accommodations should be adopted and developed as Company policy.
2.As representatives of their airline and profession, jumpseat riders must conduct themselves in a manner that is above reproach at all times.
3.Although seated in the cabin, jumpseat riders may be asked to assist the cockpit or cabin crew in certain situations.
E.SECURITY/IDENTIFICATION
1.Without exception, security is paramount in all aspects of aviation safety. The Captain is responsible for ensuring that all jumpseat riders admitted to the flight deck have in their possession the proper documentation. For pilots, this shall include airmen's certification and valid company ID. Jumpseat riders should have this identification readily available for inspection.
2.Host Captains should recognize that a union membership card is another means of identity verification, although not all pilots of represented airlines are union members.
3.Under the Captain's authority, entry to the flight deck will not be permitted for individuals with whom the Captain or his flight deck crew is not entirely comfortable.
F.JUMPSEAT FRAUD AND ABUSE
1.A fraudulent jumpseat rider is an individual attempting to gain access to a flight deck by knowingly being deceptive. Counterfeit IDs, failure of medical certificate standards or dismissal by the presented employer constitute fraudulent representation.
2.An abuse of the jumpseat privilege includes, but is not limited to, individuals revenue positioning at company request for reasons other than commuting to or from work or on personal business.
G.BOARDING PRIORITY
1.It is understood that certain individuals, such as government or company officials in the performance of their duties, must be given free and unlimited access to the cockpit by FAR. Seniority, first-come, first-served or a reservation system may be used for company and off-line pilots.
2.Extending preferential boarding to specific carriers shall be reviewed and amended when determined appropriate by the Coordinator/Chairperson, the MEC and the Company.
3.Within boarding priority, most airlines accommodate off-line jumpseat riders on a first-come, first-served basis. Due consideration should be given to union affiliation. Any problems that arise should be quickly referred to the Captain for resolution.
4.Company boarding priority for other individuals shall be mutually developed by the Jumpseat Coordinator/Committee Chairperson, the airline management and the MEC.
H.OTHER JUMPSEAT REQUESTS
1.The FAA has an established procedure whereby air traffic controllers are allowed access to the cockpit for familiarization flights. ALPA supports these familiarization flights and encourages pilots to welcome controllers into their cockpits for this purpose. ATC personnel must have in their possession FAA Form 3120-28 Parts A&B, FAA Form 3120-31 and their FAA identification card/badge.
2.Foreign air carrier pilots, FAA licensed dispatchers and other individuals may be accommodated with authorization by the FAA and company flight management authorities.
I.NATIONAL JUMPSEAT REGISTRY
SOURCE - Board 2000; AMENDED - Executive Board May 2001
The ALPA Jumpseat Committee shall produce and maintain a National Jumpseat Registry. The airlines listed will abide by ALPA Jumpseat Policy and shall have appointed Jumpseat Coordinators to work with the ALPA sponsored Industry Jumpseat Task Force. The Registry will be disseminated within ALPA to Master Executive Councils and their appointed Jumpseat Coordinators to use as they see fit.
