Can a pilot upgrade a Pax?

[Rally]

Who really controls the cabin? Is it ultimately the Captain? Like Pax upgrades and denial for boarding etc. Just curious.

 

[Mike man]

What airline?

I'm pretty sure it all depends on the airline...for example AA has a line drawn from the cockpit door forward that the pilots control and from the door back that the FA's control...unless the airplane is at a gate then the gate agent controls it...for the most part anyway.

 

[BigMotorToter]

At TWA the Captain could upgrade anyone he wanted. A true Captains airline. I think there is less and less of that now anywhere.

 

[viper548]

I don't know if I'm allowed to but I upgrade people. It's almost always troops going to or from Iraq that I upgrade

 

[Ridgeback]

The Captain is the FINAL authority in the airplane...he could have the FO ride in the lav if he wanted

 

[Skybus]

You keep telling yourself that pal.

 

[BlueandWhite]

The Captain is the FINAL authority in the airplane...he could have the FO ride in the lav if he wanted

Yep, you can do anything you want as a captain....just be prepared to justify it when you land.:erm:

 

[Helos2Galaxy]

Touchy, but if there is a good repoire (?) between the front and the cabin, it can happen.

Agents have their rules and won't upgrade.

If a friend (rev pax) is in the back, you can ASK the Lead F/A if its OK. They'll usually say OK if the plane was going out w/ room in front.

 

[hockeypilot44]

Captains don't have the authority they used to; do they?

 

[BLing]

Over a year ago I was jumpseating along with an American MD80 FO on a United 757 out of OMA. The other guy and me were the last ones to board. We were issued seats in the back, but as always we made our way to the cockpit to introduce ourselves and make sure it was okay to hop a ride to ORD.

The CA was a great guy who told us to grab seats in first class. The whole first class was open, so we thanked the CA and sat up front... Well, the gate agent came on board and saw that and freaked out. She yelled a us and the FA's who were apparently new hires. Well, we were forced to go sit in our assigned seats.

Im sure the CA would have wanted us to tell him about this gate agent. However, we were guests on the airplane and didnt feel it was right to cause a sceen and stir up more drama. We figured it was best just to have the flight go out on time.

Looking back, maybe we should have told the CA? I know that I would have wanted to know if I were him. This gate agent in OMA does have a reputation amongst most commuters. It would have been nice to see her put in her place!

As of now (well, its been about a year since I've commuted out of there), but this one gate agent in OMA has the final authority!

 

[Bavarian Chef]

I was waiting for someone to bring up the United gate agents.

I don't commute out of Dulles on United anymore, but when I did, I always came to the gate armed with a refreshingly cold bottled water, a skinny latte from Starbucks, two dozen banana chocolate chip muffins that my wife just pulled outta the oven, $1000 in German Bearer Bonds and the pocket version of "How to Speak Indian and Pakistani" and despite all that, they still acted like I was trying to push a universal health care bill or kyoto accord through Congress.

It's almost comical. Almost.

 

[PCL_128]

Touchy, but if there is a good repoire (?) between the front and the cabin, it can happen.

Agents have their rules and won't upgrade.

If a friend (rev pax) is in the back, you can ASK the Lead F/A if its OK. They'll usually say OK if the plane was going out w/ room in front.

What airlines are you guys working for? Ask the stews? Are you kidding me?

 

[michael707767]

I have upgraded people. Mostly military guys and gals (I always put the lowest ranking person in first class) and one time we had a couple on their honeymoon. First class had two open seats so I had the FAs move em up.

 

[frog_flyer]

"uhhh, yeah. We need to make some seating changes for W&B. Let's move 28B up to First class. Thanks"

 

[Redmeat]

What airlines are you guys working for? Ask the stews? Are you kidding me?

You came from Pinnacle and things are a bit different at regionals (the FA's couldn't find their ass with both hands and a flashlight). You gotta remember that some senior mommas at NW started out on DC-6's.

You don't give orders to these gals trust me.

At NW the cabin 'technically' belongs to the Lead FA.

Yes if it came down to a knock down drag out the CA would prevail...but trust me it wouldn't be worth it.

 

[Long-Gonner]

While I was USAirways Express, I would jumpseat on UA from time to time. On one trip, down to Australia, the gate agent went out of his way to make sure I got a seat in business class. After boarding the flight, I went up to the front to ask for a ride and of course the captain made sure I had a comfortable seat as well. The worst I've ever been treated was on AA. F-100, with 1st completly empty on a three hour flight, was told to just "take my assigned seat in coach"............a nice middle seat no less That garbage won't end until pilots take their profession back.........

 

[PCL_128]

You came from Pinnacle and things are a bit different at regionals (the FA's couldn't find their ass with both hands and a flashlight). You gotta remember that some senior mommas at NW started out on DC-6's.

You don't give orders to these gals trust me.

At NW the cabin 'technically' belongs to the Lead FA.

Yes if it came down to a knock down drag out the CA would prevail...but trust me it wouldn't be worth it.

It's only that way because you've allowed it to get that way. It certainly doesn't work that way at AirTran. Some of the crusty old rEAL guys here would laugh their asses off if some stew tried to argue with them about upgrading a jumpseater.

 

[FmrFreightDog]

It's only that way because you've allowed it to get that way. It certainly doesn't work that way at AirTran. Some of the crusty old rEAL guys here would laugh their asses off if some stew tried to argue with them about upgrading a jumpseater.

Agreed. I commute regularly on DAL, NWA, and AirTran. By far, and I mean BY FAR, the best commutes I have are on the AirTran flights. Having said that, however, it's usually the lead FA that parks me in a first class seat... not the Captain. Nonetheless, I always appreciate the ride to Memphis, regardless of where I end up sitting.

 

[JumpJetter]

I always see SWA pilots upgrading pax/jumpseaters to first class....

 

[McNugget]

It's only that way because you've allowed it to get that way.....

'Nuff said.

 

[Dumb Pilot]

rEAL guys

Best airline that ever was. Those were the days when pilots had integrity

 

[curtis46]

Careful,some people may think you're trying to be sarcastic.

 

[BrokenWing]

Got to agree with AirTran. If there's a business class seat available, they will offer it. If there's not, they're usually very apologetic and will still make sure you're well taken care of. I ride them all the time and they are by far the best!

 

[skiandsurf]

Had a full fare coach ticket on CAL. Just happend to know the FE (DC10). After they closed the door, one of the FAs came back to my seat, and said that we (my wife and I), "were in the wrong seats". Put us in First Class. I was told that once the door is closed, its the captains decision to upgrade who he wishes.

This was 10 yrs ago.

 

[Cpt Oveur]

I've had great luck on American. The gate agent had difficulty pulling me up in CASS, and I thought I would be left out. The captain came up to the gate after he could see the exchange I had with the agent, and wondered what the problem was. He took out his cell phone, called their dispatch office and asked for their jumpseat person. He had taken my info, and was able to list me for a seat in the back. He then put the agent on the phone, and was instructed on how to use cass. He took a minute or two delay, but said it's unacceptable that gate agents don't know how to do their job. Props to American for taking care of people. Gate agent gave me coach, captain cleared with the number 1 FA and let me sit in first. Not too shabby at all.

 

[AvroJockey]

Denied

As far as denying passengers, look at the ICAO Conventions...particularly the Tokyo Convention. These clearly define the Captain's authority in regards to passengers denial, deplaning, and restraint. Believe it or not, they are pretty liberal rights...the Captain has much authority and immunity.

...and notice the conventions refer to the Captain as the Commander.

 

[Dumb Pilot]

As far as denying passengers, look at the ICAO Conventions...particularly the Tokyo Convention. These clearly define the Captain's authority in regards to passengers denial, deplaning, and restraint. Believe it or not, they are pretty liberal rights...the Captain has much authority and immunity.

...and notice the conventions refer to the Captain as the Commander.

Apples and oranges. You are talking about deplaning a passenger because of unruly behavior and you are correct, here in Japan your word in a case like this is final. The thread started with the notion of upgrading a passenger to first class and sure, we are referred to as "commander" around here when you are the PIC, but like somebody else mentioned before. Get ready to explain your actions when you get back from your trip because at the end of the day it is NOT your name on the aircraft registration.

 

[AvroJockey]

Like Pax upgrades and denial for boarding etc..

This is what I was refering to. No one had addressed this yet.

 

[chimichanga]

Apples and oranges. You are talking about deplaning a passenger because of unruly behavior and you are correct...

One thing you can't do is deny boarding to a passenger because he wouldn't let you cut ahead of him in the coffee line. Your employer will frown on that.

Ask me how I know.... :0