DAL jumpseat courtesy

[737 Pylt]

Judge, what he means is that we take any "offline pilot, fa, and dispatcher" at no charge and allow them to sit in the extra back jumpseats.

Like I said, I think B6 has THE best JS policy in the industry!

737 pylt, no feathers lost or even panties in a wad. Just a rant. I kinda thought that all the "maybe he was on a ticket" comments were unjust. Not positive but I dont think DAL would go buying tickets on JB so send a pilot from JFK to MCO a route you already serve. Just a thought.

And yet your first inclination was to come on to FI and post it!?
Why would I think he was on a DL paid pass. Maybe he was on an ID 90!

Kinda PO'd, yep. Over it, yep. still willing to take any and all, as many as I can, JS'r in the future, of course.

Again thanks, I wish our js policy was 1/8 as good as B6's!

Common courtesy does go along ways doesnt it ladies and gentlemen?

It sure does, especially when you go right home and post it on Flight Info!
737

 

[Whistlin' Dan]

That's why I try not to wear my uniform when repositioning. When traveling in uniform, I feel like I represent the employees of the airline I'm traveling on, even though I don't work for them. (How many people actually take the time to decipher the symbology on our lapel wings or hood ornaments?)

In civvies, I can scratch my ba11s, pick my nose, farht like a pack-mule and read off-color magazines anywhere in the terminal. I can talk to attractive women if I want. But in uniform...that's my uniform, not the uniform of the carrier on which I'm flying...it's a different story. I have to mind my P's & Q's. It doesn't matter that I (or my company) have paid for the ticket, or that I work for somebody else. I'm "high-vis" to every passenger on that airplane...the lightning rod for every question, every comment, every beef they have about your airline or our industry. I don't know which gate the 11:15 to Des Moines departs from, where baggage claim is, or why their last landing was so bumpy. And frankly, I don't care.

As for the "Wow!" factor, and just to show you how much this business has changed in the last 10 years...I stopped wearing my uniform around airline terminals when I realized I met a better class of woman when I wasn't wearing it.

I'll usually identify myself to an F/A via business card when boarding, simply because it makes good sense for me to do so. And I'll often ask who's in the cockpit, in case there's somebody up there I know. But other than that, the fewer people who know what I do, the more relaxing and enjoyable the trip is for me.

Oh yea, and I agree...the guy was probably traveling on a ticket, and was simply showing a professional courtesy by acknowledging you on his way out. He didn't do it while boarding because he knows how busy it can get, especially on a short turn, and didn't want you to feel you needed to break pace to make small-talk with him.

 

[LetsGoBuffs]

FWIW...

last fall, while I was at Indy, i was JSing to Denver from IAD on UAL. i checked in at the gate and was told that I "didnt have to go to the Capt because it was all taken care of at the gate now."

well, upon boarding, I introduced myself to the FA's and told them that I was a JSer and wanted to check in with the Capt.

"That is so nice. No one ever does that anymore. Im sure the Capt will be happy to see you." That was the response from the lead FA.

I checked in with the Capt and told him that I was told that I didnt have to check in with him but I didnt feel right about that. So, here I am.

He was very nice and said he appriciated me stopping by and that most dont stop by anymore.

just thought I would add this. i just think its the right thing to do. FWIW.

 

[flying bubba]

And yet your first inclination was to come on to FI and post it!?
Why would I think he was on a DL paid pass. Maybe he was on an ID 90!

Not at JB he wasnt! We dont do ID90's. EVERYONE rides for free.
Not my first inclination, but not allowing any DAL JS's didnt seem quite like the thing to do does it? Somebody said earlier, dont hold everyone accountable for one bad apple.

Again thanks, I wish our js policy was 1/8 as good as B6's!

Thanks

It sure does, especially when you go right home and post it on Flight Info!
737[/quote]
I see your point in that, however I would rather have this here than questioning someone in the jetbridge, terminal, etc.

 

[Networ-King]

Wait....

bubba....

Did you find out if the guy was a JSer or not? That is the one question you should be asking right now. Cause if UPS buys me a ticket and Im in uniform I don't have to do shiat in the flightdeck. If I was jumpseating then he11 yes Im gonna check in with you and ask permission no matter what the ticket agent says. Was he on a jumpseat or a paid ticket?

 

[B6Guy]

Even When I Pay

Even when I'm a paying customer, I stop up front [if I can get by the FA] and introduce myself, tell them I'm in seat XXX.. This is if I'm in uniform or not. I consider it a courtesy to the flight crew. You never know when an ABP may be needed.

If I'm in uniform [ticketed or not] I ALWAYS stop by the cockpit just to eliminate any assumptions by the flight crew about being curtious or not.

It's just easier to be curtious than not.

B6Guy

 

[flying bubba]

King, to answer your question, he was just bumming a ride. The funny part was that he sat next to one of our own positive space pilots going to MCO for recurrent training.
That was the whole point of this thread, he isnt new to the game, he knows better.
But as I said earlier, no major harm, just a bit ticked off.

 

[A350]

All:

I have had several instances where I have found people in the back of one of my flights wearing a uniform.....and it is the first time they speak to me.

While I leave the chest pumping to others, I feel it only a courtesy that someone who is getting a ride to work or home comes up and says hello. That is, and always will be the standard.

I am sure some have had positive space tickets.....however, I have never, nor will I ever get on someone elses plane with an airline uniform on and not come up and say hello....It relieves all doubt in their mind who is where and what "assets" they may have at their disposal.

A350

 

[MrCoffee]

Heck, at FedEx, they send us through a jumpseating class during ground school (I guess they still do it) to let us know how we are supposed to conduct ourselves on our own jumpseats as well as offline. They even tell us to bring cookies for the flight crew.

 

[General Lee]

I recently did a flt from JFK to MCO. Kinda busy up front with seven wheelchairs of children from "Make a Wish" going down to Disney, Five Unaccompanied minors, and a full load of pax. In my cockpit jumpseat was FAA doing spot checks. Not your typical loading process but not overwhelming either.
Upon arrival in MCO we are working hard to get everyone off the aircraft when off walks a DAL FO. That was the first I saw of him. He walks by me with a short little "see ya round". No thanks, no introductions, just see ya.
I thought he must have checked in with the FO during boarding, or maybe the lead FA. So I ask both and neither one had even seen or talked to him.
The FAA proceeds to ask me, "you mean you had another airline pilot onboard and you didnt even know about it?"
What can I say? Uh no.
He proceeds to tell me that I have to know these things and that I should be more aware of who is on my aircraft in case of emergencies, etc.
After it was all over, all I could think of was that this all could have been avoided with a 10 second hello from this guy. Apparently, the nonreving etiquette for DAL doesnt require this. I guess from now on I will be a little more alert as to offline personnel on the aircraft (because we have so much time on our hands to watch everyone board).
Sorry for the rant but I just had to voice this.
Lastly, JB has one of these finest jumpseat policies in the business, please dont abuse us, or treat us like proverbial red headed stepchildren. (sorry if youre a redhead.)

Thanks

Maybe his wife is a Jetblue stew and constantly brings home tons of blue potato chips? I've seen guys do that from time to time. If they say "thanks for the jumpseat" as they are walking off, then that may be a problem...Anytime I jump I always see the crew first.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[Judge]

Ahhh, I see. Thanks Hair-on-fire. I don't think SWA actually allows anyone else to ride on the FA's 4th, I mean, except the 35,000 employees.

 

[propjob27]

I can't believe some of you guys think a PAYING passenger needs to stop by the cockpit and introduce himself, regardless of what he's wearing.

I've flown for 3 different airlines now that regularly position crews on offline airlines, using paid tickets, and not ONCE have I ever stopped by the cockpit to say anything, whether I was in uniform or not. Nor would I expect, or even want, a paying passenger to stop by my cockpit in a similar situation. I do not in any way consider this to be discourteous to the flight crew. I am generally not rude, or anti social. Unless I'm hammered, and then I'm both. Nonetheless, you have a paid ticket, you board and go to your seat like every other Joe. It doesn't matter that you happen to be an airline pilot, in or out of uniform. If for some reason both of you guys drop dead in the cockpit, and the FA's desperately need someone to land the plane, then they'll make the announcement that's every private pilot's wet dream: "Ladies and Gentleman, do we have any pilots on board?" I mean, come on Striker, haven't you seen Airplane? As a flight crewmember, you really don't need to know that there are some DAL or FedEX or UPS or ATA pilots in back travelling on paid tickets.

Now, if the guy WAS jumpseating, then yes, that was out of line. But you don't even know that he was, or at least you haven't indicated in this thread that you do. And to make a negative post about "DAL's jumpseat courtesy", when in fact the guy probably was NOT EVEN JUMPSEATING in the first place is pretty fuc k in g stupid.

Maybe JetBlue pilots need to realize that many airlines out there use paid tickets on other airlines to move crews around. And yes, they do this even on routes their own airline serves, due to full loads or contractual limitations such as duty day length, etc. And at that point these guys are PASSENGERS NOT JUMPSEATERS.

 

[Caveman]

Is it possible the DAL guy was a paying passenger? Yep. Pigs might fly out of my ass too. The odds heavily favor the guy was a jumpseater and IF he was he should have introduced himself as he boarded. That being said, he is the exception because most DAL pilots I've interacted with while jumpseating (me or them) have been courteous and professional. I wouldn't paint all DAL pilots with the same brush. I'm sure we have our own knucklehead jumpseaters too. One bad apple .........

 

[propjob27]

The odds heavily favor the guy was a jumpseater and IF he was he should have introduced himself as he boarded.

No, they don't. Like I said before, many "big" airlines end up positioning crews on other carriers, for the reasons I stated. There are other reasons too that I didn't mention. For example, if your wife or kid gets sick while you are on a trip, any decent airline will instantly buy you a ticket from wherever you are to wherever they are, on any airline. I'm not sure why this is difficult to understand.

I did not mean the DAL pilot in question paid for the ticket out of his own wallet (though he may have and its completely irrelevant WHO paid for the ticket), I meant DAL may very well have purchased ticket for him for whatever reason. Once you have a paid ticket in your hand, regardless, the need to walk up to the cockpit and show your license, ID, and medical and "ask politely" for ride are instantly over. You get on and off the airplane with all the other people, no matter if you happen to been wearing your uniform or not.

I don't know why the original poster assumed this guy was a jumpseater and started this bu lls hi t thread with the title "DAL Jumpseat courtesy" and a stupid thumbs down symbol, when he has NO IDEA if the pilot in question was actually jumpseating.

One bad apple my ass, the original poster is the one bad apple for starting a thread like this w/o any relevant facts. OOOOooo, the guy was wearing his uniform and didn't stop to say 'hi' to us!!! He must be abusing our jumpseat policy!! Wow, no shi t Dick Tracy. Did you figure that one out all by yourself? Can you do my taxes for me?

 

[FlyBoeingJets]

We should all try to see the Captain. Agreed. It's his/her show and we may need to get bumped to the cockpit at the last minute. Maybe there is some FAA rule about it too.

Don't know what this guy did. Maybe he was on a paid ticket?


What I don't understand---

Why didn't the ops agent let the Captain know he had a "jumpseater"?

Why was the FAA dude such a dork when the "jumpseater's" creditials have to be checked by the ops agent,remember the passport requirement and photo on the computer??

He couldn't sit in the cockpit anyways with the FAA guy's sorry butt there.

 

[propjob27]

We should all try to see the Captain. Agreed.

No, you shouldn't, when you are travelling as a passenger. It doesn't matter if you happen to be wearing a DAL uniform, or jeans and sneakers. If you are a passenger, you have no need to see the captain unless you're some snot faced kid trying to wipe your hands on the throttle quadrant or a passenger with an original and brilliant comment like, "You boys haven't been drinking, have you? Har Harh." Passengers don't see the captain, they board when their row is called and sit down. Then they get off the airplane and may or may not say "byebye" to the FA at the door. And paying passengers don't ever get "bumped back" into the cockpit, airline pilot or not.

Maybe he was on a paid ticket?

Yeah, he probably was, which totally negates his need to see the cockpit crew, and the need for this thread.

Why didn't the ops agent let the Captain know he had a "jumpseater"?

Because there wasn't one on board.

 

[DAL737FO]

I've had two different scenarios play out at AirTran (which always treats me great by the way). The first time I had my DAL flight cancel in MCO so I take off to the AirTran side to try and jumpseat to ATL. When I get to the gate the gate agent wouldn't give me the jumpseat but instead charged me an ID-90 rate to ATL. No big deal I really needed to get to work. So here I am in uniform now a non rev passenger and not a jumpseater taking my assigned seat when the lead FA says the Capt wants to talk to me. He just wanted to know if I was jumpseating and why I hadn't checked in. When I told him what happened he was mad but not at me, at the gate agent for not giving me the jumpseat free seat. (no charge but you have to sit in back).

The second scenario happens all the time. The gate agents assign you a seat at the gate because, as of right now, we can't sit on the jumpseat. As usual it's a zoo in ATL so the gate agent tells me just to go on and take my seat. I instead go up to the cockpit and introduce myself and the Capt tells me that the gate agents do that to them all the time.

My question to you is what did your paperwork say? At DAL when the gate agent comes down with the final paperwork they say something to the effect numbers are good 14, 128 with 1 jumpseater (MD-88 numbers). This is where the Capt would say that the jumpseater hasn't check in with him. So if they didn't tell you the guy in uniform was a jumpseater then my guess is that he wasn't.

DAL737FO

 

[flying bubba]

Prop, what part of the statement I made earlier, "he was just bumming a ride" did you not understand. I said he was sitting next to one of our pilots in the back who had confirmed that he was a nonrev. He did not occupy a jumpseat or was going to. As far as riding in the cockpit, he still could have as a CASS guy, and we use both cockpit jumpseats for that. I would even appreciated him being there to make small talk with the FAA and keep him busy for us.

 

[USNFDX]

When jumpseating I always ask and bring cookies (time permitting).

When I have a paid ticket, I don't stick my head in the cockpit. If every Fedex pilot did that, NWA would be shut down in MEM every Monday morning!

There's always that 2% that just can't seem to follow the rules or do the right thing. I have them at my company, you have them at yours.

Try not to get you panties in a wad..

 

[propjob27]

King, to answer your question, he was just bumming a ride. The funny part was that he sat next to one of our own positive space pilots going to MCO for recurrent training.

Sorry man, I totally missed your post on page two. Completely my mistake.

Since you've plainly stated that he was travelling as a jumpseater, and not with any form of passenger ticket, then yeah, by all means jumpseaters definately need to show their ID, License, and medical (to the anal captains) in order to travel that way.

If for nothing else, the captain has every right to check his master Scab list to make sure the jumpseater's name isn't on it, or just to make sure he isn't someone else he hates, before giving him a free ride.