Delta int'l jumpseat question

[FlyinCane]

Delta Pilots:

I am attempting to non-rev to Europe next week and have access to a buddy pass from a Delta flight attendant friend. I am wondering what the pecking order is for non-rev travellers, as I also have the option of "jumpeating" (realizing that the cockpit is off limits). Would paying for a buddy pass and checking-in early give me a better chance of making the flight? Any advice would be helpful and thanks in advance for the ride!

 

[propdog]

If you're a pilot, just jumpseat....buddy passes are quite expensive. But if you jumpseat, you'll be behind the buddy pass rider as far as the pecking order goes.

 

[FlyinCane]

If you're a pilot, just jumpseat....buddy passes are quite expensive. But if you jumpseat, you'll be behind the buddy pass rider as far as the pecking order goes.

Thanks for the advice. I am a pilot, but believe it may be worth the premium to pay for the buddy pass, especially if buddies go before jumpseaters.

I guess a good follow-up question would be, how is the buddy pecking order determined? - time of check-in or the employee's date of hire? Also, does it matter if I list for Business or Coach when listing on TravelNet? Every airline does this differently, so I appreciate any clarity y'all can provide. My friend was unsure about how this works, so I thought I'd check here. Appreciate the help!

 

[Full of LUV]

Thanks for the advice. I am a pilot, but believe it may be worth the premium to pay for the buddy pass, especially if buddies go before jumpseaters.

I guess a good follow-up question would be, how is the buddy pecking order determined? - time of check-in or the employee's date of hire? Also, does it matter if I list for Business or Coach when listing on TravelNet? Every airline does this differently, so I appreciate any clarity y'all can provide. My friend was unsure about how this works, so I thought I'd check here. Appreciate the help!

All pass riders are by DOH pecking order, then buddy passes go in DOH order of the pass givers, and then finally any OAL standby (including jumpseaters). Time of listing doesn't matter at all.
List for First unless your traveling with a child less than 8 yrs old, it will automatically go back to coach if thats all thats left by the time they get down to your priority.
Send a PM if you need the actual load check, but I agree, the Buddy pass fee won't buy you but a few people up the list at most depending on how many passriders of course.

 

[FlyinCane]

All pass riders are by DOH pecking order, then buddy passes go in DOH order of the pass givers, and then finally any OAL standby (including jumpseaters). Time of listing doesn't matter at all.
List for First unless your traveling with a child less than 8 yrs old, it will automatically go back to coach if thats all thats left by the time they get down to your priority.
Send a PM if you need the actual load check, but I agree, the Buddy pass fee won't buy you but a few people up the list at most depending on how many passriders of course.

Thanks for the great info! You mention that "time of listing" has no bearing, but what about time of check-in? Just want to know how early I need to get to the airport. I guess I can purchase the pass as a back-up, but will try to j/s if it looks like I can make it.

My FA friend will keep an eye on loads for me, but I appreciate the offer.

 

[Razorback one]

Thanks for the great info! You mention that "time of listing" has no bearing, but what about time of check-in? Just want to know how early I need to get to the airport. I guess I can purchase the pass as a back-up, but will try to j/s if it looks like I can make it.

My FA friend will keep an eye on loads for me, but I appreciate the offer.

Delta prohibits simultaneous non-rev and jumpseat listing. You must pick buddy pass or j/s. Your flight attendant friend should have access to all the information that you need.

R1

 

[dispatchguy]

I thought it was list in F unless traveling with a child less than 10 yrs old.

That is what the Shanghai Ticket Counter told us when we were traveling back from China with our newly adopted daughter in March.

 

[sat74]

Dont waste the money on a buddy pass. Unless the flight is FULL it wont matter as most Captains will make sure you get a seat up front. If you jumpseat, make sure you check in at least 75 minutes (cut off time) before departure or you will not get on.

 

[FL000]

My advice is to ask your friend or another DAL employee to check the non-rev status the night before and make your decision after that. If it looks wide open, list on the jumpseat and save some money. If it's tight, see if your friend's DOH will ensure that you get on as an S4.

A lot of times the seat count will change drastically overnight, so the above strategy is no guarantee. Also check out www.seatcounter.com for a raw seat count.

 

[Plug]

I have done the Int'l jumpseat on DAL a few times and all have been confusing for the agents. Make sure you check-in at the ticket counter out front no later than 75 minutes prior. They should swipe a credit card but no charges will be made. Last time they didn't and when I got to the gate, E-something, they almost wouldn't let me on. Also, for some reason the gate agents can't put you in Biz-Elite, at least that is what they tell me, but they say it is wide open and if the Capt. wants to move me up he can. All but once I was moved up. I am with CAL so maybe they've caught on that we have a few sackless Capt's who won't upgrade jumpseaters.

Cheers

 

[propdog]

Also, does it matter if I list for Business or Coach when listing on TravelNet? QUOTE]

Always list in Business....the price is the same. However, if the loads are looking OK, just jumpseat...you'll most likely get Business.

 

[FlyinCane]

Thanks everybody! Last my friend checked, there are 9 seats in Biz and 10 in the back with 11 listed. Obviously, these numbers are a moving target, so I will make my decision the night prior as recommended.

Can someone tell me if I purchase a buddy pass, does my check-in time at the airport have any bearing on where I fall in the pecking order. I realize buddies are pretty far down the list (but on top of OAL j/s), but was wondering if another buddy pass traveller will be ahead of me based on check-in time at the airport rather than DOH.

Thanks again!

 

[Full of LUV]

No bearing at all....

Thanks everybody! Last my friend checked, there are 9 seats in Biz and 10 in the back with 11 listed. Obviously, these numbers are a moving target, so I will make my decision the night prior as recommended.

Can someone tell me if I purchase a buddy pass, does my check-in time at the airport have any bearing on where I fall in the pecking order. I realize buddies are pretty far down the list (but on top of OAL j/s), but was wondering if another buddy pass traveller will be ahead of me based on check-in time at the airport rather than DOH.

Thanks again!

Time of airport checkin or listing has no bearing at all as long as you meet the 75 mins cutoff. Once you checkin, you go from the meal listing to the "airport list" which is again sorted by priority and then DOH. I've been on the list with people who just show up without a listing and keep on bumping me down, and sometimes people who have listed miss the earlier connection etc, so you really never know until 60 mins prior on an international flight and 15 mins prior on a domestic.
If you are on a buddy pass, you'll have more chance of first class, because they will assign all of the FC first then go to coach, so if FC is full of pass riders, there won't be any seats for JS's.
Best of luck, have a blast!
Hope your FA "friend" is hot!

 

[Full of LUV]

Used to be....

I thought it was list in F unless traveling with a child less than 10 yrs old.

That is what the Shanghai Ticket Counter told us when we were traveling back from China with our newly adopted daughter in March.

Used to be 12, but with the "one great team" merger of pass bene's DAL adopted NW's 6 yr old and above policy (I believe) in June.

Travelnet automated to catch this as well, so if less than 6 as a passrider, cannot even be listed as FC.

Congrats on your adoption! Hope you are getting some sleep!
Luv

 

[zasca]

If offline J/S, you can't list ahead of time on a Delta plane (unless thats been fixed, and is like NW). Some foreign airports with contract ticket counters (AMS comes to mind) will have issues with you not in the computer. Leaving the states you need the $0 taxes paid coupon and agents will not assign you business or first. There HAS to be a seat open in coach or a supervisor HAS to personally assign you the front seat to get on when coach is full. This apparently is not a problem out of Europe. Stupid... 75 min check in requirement is not legitimate in all situations. Buy chocolates!

 

[sat74]

I always bring chocolates etc. Works most of the time, except had an ATL BEEATCH lead scoff at me and made sure I had a miserable flight in back under a dripping a/c duct with 20 open seats up front! The rest of the crew was great but kept applogizing for her utter rudeness! The most horrid lack of professional courtesy I have ever seen on an American airline! While most grateful for the ride regardless of what cabin I was sitting in, there was no excuse for her behavior. I will never nonrev via ATL ever again!