Delta Int'l Jumpseat - The BIG question

[newlife1]

Does anyone know what is the exact procedure for other airline pilots to jumpseat on Delta International?

I couldn't make it on the flight today because of some 75 or 90 minute check-in rule .... Does this only apply when jumpseating on Delta to/from international destinations?

Is this an FAA or TSA rule? If so, what exactly is the rule?

Does it apply to other airlines?

Does it apply when coming back to the U.S. from another country?

Does it have to do with CASS or the way DL computers are configured?

Is listing as a non-rev required for international jumpseating?

Is there anything I should know about international jumpseating on Continental, United, Northwest and USAirways? Any input would be appreciated on these or any other airline. My airline is CASS and has a reciprocal j/s agreement with DL.

As far as I know this rule doesn't apply on United and USAirways because I've taken them before and check-in time was never a factor when travelling to an international destination. Is there a document I can access to read about international jumpseat rules/procedures on other airlines?

BTW, all DL employees were doing their best to get me on the flight today including the agents, supervisor and Captain. Thanks guys!

Thanks

 

[SNOWBUM]

what I do when taking delta int. form ATL is:

1- go to the terminal where your flight departs from ( E I think?),

2-go to the customer service desk and ask them for the jumpseat and to list you, ask them to put the time you check in on the jump seat form so the gate agent knows, because sometimes gate agents don't show up 70 minutes before the flight if they are working other flights.

3- go to the gate 90 minutes prior and when the agent shows up tell him you would like to jump seat and you already had everything taking care off by customer service. Show him/her your ID,passport and licenses/medical.

4- remeber to give the customer service agent your Cass company identifier but keep in mind that for INT. jump seats you need to have a seat in the back even if your company is cass.

 

[newlife1]

Thanks Snowbum... everything you're saying I pretty much knew from previous experience jumpseating on DL. I know that CASS rules don't apply for int'l travel but most airlines still check on their computers to make sure you're in the system anyway.

Apperently there is a new format on Delta's computer system where they put all your passport info etc.. not a non-rev PNR but a specific screen just for jumpseaters..... I have to say that this rule is not consistent on DL and definitely not enforced at other airlines. I have jumpseated on US and DL and UA to/from Latin America/Europe/HKG and I showed up about 45 minutes prior at the ticket counter upon departure from the U.S. each time without any problems (within the last 6 months).

I just want to know what the official policy is for jumpseating int'l as per TSA or FAA for all the major carriers.. No one seems to know exactly and the policy seems to rely on how the gate agents feel that day. On UA or US it has never been an issue and on DL this is my first time out of 4 times that this has happened to me.

 

[timetoquit]

I had the same problem back during the summer. I checked in for the jumpseat for LAX-JFK (and continuing to Europe). When I arrived in JFK, I was denied the jumpseat because of the 75 minute rule (impossible to make due to connecting flights). I specifically advised the LAX agent that I was continuing on to Europe and was told that she made note of it. But the bitch at JFK could care less (I showed up 70 minutes prior!). The Captain tried to help, as did some others, but the gate agent would not budge!

So what is the best procedure when connecting from another city to an international destination when it's impossible to make the 75 minute rule?

 

[newlife1]

I think there is a way to check in at LAX or other U.S. airports for an international flight while connecting through as U.S gateway (JFK/ATL or other). I believe the pilot's info has to be entered into Deltamatic a certain way on a specific screen for jumpseaters. I'll try to find out what the entry is for next time. Either way, a good entry for DL agents to look for jumpseat info is G*JSA

 

[ExpWayVis31]

I don't think that the international jumpseat is a great option since you need to be placed in a seat in the cabin.

A better choice would be to buy a ZED ticket (they are cheap) and my guess is that you will get that last seat on the jet over a jumpseater.

I just used a ZED on BA to go from Naples to Gatwick, agent was great, put me in business class and only cost me $34.00.

 

[aa73]

Here is a breakdown with what happened to me last weekend.

Called the DAL 1-800 number to list as a "Non Rev" three days prior. No problem.

Checked in at JFK at 1300 at the ticket counter (for a 17:40 flight to BCN). Agent put my stuff in the computer, including passport scan. Unable to place me on the standby list beause "I'm not sure what priority OAL jumpseaters are."

Checked in at the gate at 16:30 (70 mins prior to dep.) Agent informs me that "we don't have anyone listed fot the j/s!" I inform her that I checked in at 1300 at the ticket counter. "Oh, looks like he forgot to list you!" I tell her that I listed three days ago. "Well, you listed as a Non-rev, not as a jumpseater! You have to list as a jumpseater. There's nothing we can do, you are inside of the 75 min window."

Folks, the bottom line is this - you MUST list as a "Jumpseater" outside of the 75 min limit - NOT as a Non-rev!

I must say that the DAL agents were very accomodating and put me on the next flight to Spain with no problem.

Good luck!
73

 

[newlife1]

ExpWayVis31, jumpseating is a great deal.. some of us don't have the option to buy ZED fares bacause our employers don't have such agreements. My airline has some ID90 deals with UA, NW and US and nothing with AA, DL or CO for int'l flights. It all comes down to about $300-400 R/T to Europe or Asia. Also I would have to purchase this dicounted tickets way ahead of time through my pass bureau and they're not refundable... it's just a pain in the a$$. Now, you do the math, pay $0.00 + taxes to go overseas for a few days several times a year or $300+ +taxes. If I could pay for a ZED fare I probably would but ID90s are never as good.


AA73 Moshi-moshi, dude, you can't list for the jumpseat on DL no matter what (unless you're a DL pilot)... it's about the way they check you in at the airport the day of the trip what really matters.. I guess there is a separate computer entry on Deltamatic just to check-in jumpseaters and add all their info. I always list myself no matter what anyway just in case they need to issue a dummy boarding pass to get through security, etc. chao pueh

 

[masedogg19]

So there is some obvious success with the intl J/S......what have your experiences been when trying to come back home then from overseas?

 

[aa73]

AA73 Moshi-moshi, dude, you can't list for the jumpseat on DL no matter what (unless you're a DL pilot)... it's about the way they check you in at the airport the day of the trip what really matters.. I guess there is a separate computer entry on Deltamatic just to check-in jumpseaters and add all their info. I always list myself no matter what anyway just in case they need to issue a dummy boarding pass to get through security, etc. chao pueh

Ya hallooo.... They have to list you as a jumpseater, not as a non rev. And that is done at the airport, like you said. But if you list yourself, the actual non rev listing in the computer could throw them off and lead them into thinking your just a non rev, not a jumpseater. That's what happened to me. Ten cuidado, tio! Watata mmm.

 

[newlife1]

mmm mmm mmm good point! but I don't think they have a way to list an off-line jumpseater (create a record or something like that).. I'm still working on finding out more about this procedure..chao pueh

 

[newlife1]

So there is some obvious success with the intl J/S......what have your experiences been when trying to come back home then from overseas?

coming back to the U.S. hasn't been too bad.. just make sure you give yourself not 2 but at least 3 back-up plans. Give yourself time to pay taxes, fill out forms, etc. I've done it from CCS, DUB, LGW, LHR, ATH, MUN, FRA, SYD, HKG, YYZ, YUL, SJO among others. Sometimes while going through security in Europe with plain clothes they think my carry-on (standard pilot size) is too big.... Just plan for that and tell them you're jumpseating and that you're a crew member. Air Canada prefers you list beforehand and try to locate the crew before going through security. It is the Captain that carries the jumpseat pass and manages the whole experience. AC takes the agent out of the loop.. this is why some AC agents are clueless about the jumpseat but are very nece most of the time. I wish all carriers were like that....

UA and DL agents are usually pretty good and know what to do but once in a while you run into one that has no idea and you might need to politely ask for a suppervisor. Knowing the local phone number for Ops might be helpful if the agents are too busy or not very helpful.

 

[newlife1]

Now, can some one answer my original Delta and TSA questions?

 

[DonVerita]

Now, can some one answer my original Delta and TSA questions?

I don't know if this is a TSA thing or a Delta thing.

A tale of two jumpseat experiences:

Was going from ATL to SJO. Due to WX delays with my connecting flight, I arrived at the Delta E-Con gate 60 minutes prior to departure. Denied due to 75 minute rule. Agents said it was TSA policy and they could not over-ride it. Result: 8 hour sit in ATL waiting for the next flight.

Two months later I decide to try CLT-SJO. Tight connection in CLT. I am literally running to the gate. Get there 80 minutes prior to departure. Whew! 5 minutes to spare. Agent asks why I was doing the OJ Simpson down the hall. I said, "To make the 75 minute TSA cut off of course". Agent said, "There is no 75 minute cutoff."

I would just assume there is a 75 minute cutoff everywhere you go and plan for that.

 

[newlife1]

Yeah, I agree with you. I also went to SJO from CLT on US Airways and they couldn't care less at what time I showed up at the gate to check-in. I don't think UA cares either... It must be a DL thing only (maybe it's in their manuals, Ops Specs, etc.)... That's what I'm trying to find out... what the actual policy is and why this 75 minute rule is only being enforced by DL. I would think that if it's a TSA rule, it would apply to all airlines.... but who knows.

later!

 

[embdrvr]

A better choice would be to buy a ZED ticket (they are cheap) and my guess is that you will get that last seat on the jet over a jumpseater.

I just used a ZED on BA to go from Naples to Gatwick, agent was great, put me in business class and only cost me $34.00.

Can ZED's be interchanged between carriers? Anotherwords you have a ZED pass for Carrier A but Carrier B has an earlier flight.

 

[masedogg19]

To answer the original question....the 75 minute rule must be a Delta thing...I received something today from a CAL pilot (former AWAC) that specifically states that there is no time limit and that checkin for intl flights on CAL is done exactly the same as domestic

 

[viking737]

Can ZED's be interchanged between carriers? Anotherwords you have a ZED pass for Carrier A but Carrier B has an earlier flight.

Yes, I have done it several times.

 

[newlife1]

just j/s to NRT from JFK on UA and there isn't a 75 minute rule on their system. It looks like it's a DL thing only.

 

[dispatchguy]

Thats wierd

According to the DAL FOM, Sept 1, 2006 edition, international online jumpseaters are required to create a VRU reservation 75 minutes before departure, however, it also says that offliners are required to checkin at the gate 45 minutes prior - there is no mention of a 75 minute minimum show at the gate.