JetBlue Jumpseat

[LGAPilot]

I’m going to try to jumpseat on Jetblue tomorrow morning from JFK. I've never jump-seated on JB before. To anyone who works for JB: Do I need to go to the ticket counter or can I go directly to the gate? Does JB have an open JS policy (i.e., as many jumpseaters as open seats in the cabin)?

I fly for ACA...we have an open JS policy, if that matters (I know some airlines only offer open jumpseats to those who do the same).

TIA.

LGAPilot

 

[Dizel8]

Yes, open jumpseats.

Not sure about security, "new" TSA directive and all, but you can request jumpseat either side of security.

Any agent should be able to help you or point you in the right direction.

Enjoy!

 

[LGAPilot]

What I Learned

Just a few things I learned about JS’ing on jetBlue out of JFK. First, and most important, if you’re going to try to jumpseat, do NOT list ahead of time. One of my buddies who is a JB FO told me I needed to list. This is not true only makes matters much more difficult. Trust me, I almost missed my flight and I got there almost an hour and a half early.

Second, unlike any place I’ve tried to JS (and I commute for a living) you cannot go through security in JB’s JFK terminal with only your company ID. You must have a boarding pass. You must check in at the ticket counter before going through security, and those lines are LONG.

All in all, it was a learning experience. I waited on 4 different lines (each person sent me elsewhere) and had two supervisors working to correct what the CSR had improperly entered in the computer when I called to list.

Oh, and two of the ticket counter rep’s were insistent that I couldn’t JS out of uniform. Ultimately the top supervisor said I was dressed fine for the jumpseat (business casual).

So, basically (1) DO NOT LIST and (2) Go straight to the ticket counter. And wearing your uniform will probably make life easier too.

I’m not complaining…everyone was helpful in the end. I just don’t want to see anyone else have unnecessary problems in the future.

LGAPilot

 

[dgs]

LGA Pilot -- I'm sorry you had a difficult experience. As an offline commuter myself, I feel your pain. If we have some problems, I sure would like to get them fixed.
As for listing, we normally list to jumpseat on our own aircraft. It can be done via reservations, at the ticket counter, or at the customer service desk upstairs. While you can do it at the gate, it helps to already be in the system.
I believe wearing a uniform makes it easier no matter where or with whom you fly. That's why I always wear mine offline. However, our policy is business casual and that should work just fine.
Getting through security with only your company ID varies by airport and your company. I'm not going to post the details of the TSA policy here, but there are plenty of places you have to go to the ticket counter before going through security. I have to do it all the time. When in doubt, go to the ticket counter. In our case the lines are long, but from what I see they go very fast because of the number of agents we have at the counter.
We carry a lot of jumpseaters, including FAs. Can anybody tell me if they have had similar problems. You can PM me with details. If this is pervasive, and not an isolated incident, I'll do what I can to fix it. -- dgs

 

[blahshmah]

You can list at the gate or customer service desk. Even better, list at 1-800-JETBLUE.

 

[LGAPilot]

You can list at the gate or customer service desk. Even better, list at 1-800-JETBLUE.

Well, like I said, my experience was that they refused to let me through security w/o a boarding pass. I showed my ID and explained I was jumpseating and that I’d get a boarding pass at the gate. They said no way.

When I called 1-800-JETBLUE to list beforehand, I explained that I wanted to JS. I was very clear that I did not want to list as a pass writing non-rev. The CSR put me on with a supervisor. I explained again that I wanted to list for JS. The biggest problem I encountered at the ticket counter…the problem that took two supervisors and the better part of 30 minute to rectify…was that the computer was indicating I hadn’t paid the $30ish non-rev fee. I explained again that I wanted to JS (for which there was no fee) but the CSR said the person at 800-JETBLUE had entered my info incorrectly and because of this, they could not get the system to generate a JS pass for me. All of the people who were trying to help me at the ticket counter kept saying the same thing…in the future do not call to list. Just show up and come right to the ticket counter. I even offered to pay the non-rev fee if it would speed things along, but by that point apparently the computer was such a mess I think the supervisor felt he was on a personal mission…a challenge if you will...to get things squared away.

So, I stick by my summation…don’t list ahead of time and don’t try to go straight to the gate.

LGAPilot

 

[Ace75]

I Just jumpseated on Jetblue and before we landed the flight attendant gave me a pair of latex sanitary gloves and asked me to help her clean the cabin and fold the seatbelts after everyone got off. I thought this was weird but folded 3-4 rows and left because I had someone waiting to pick me up at the airport. Has this happened to anyone else? Is this a new Jetblue policy? I certainly would not ask any jumpseater to help clean up the aircraft on my plane, you are a guest and should be treated as such. The pilots we're very nice though as ive found all Jetblue pilots to be but has anyone ever heard of something like this?

 

[sayagain?]

Here we go again, and again, and again.....

 

[Ace75]

Listen this isnt about the pilots that work for Jetblue, I know their company expects them to help clean up whenever they can so they can get their turns done a little quicker, but dont you think it would be a little far fetched to ask a pilot that doesnt work for the company who is jumpseating to do the same?

 

[pilotyip]

I do it for a free ride, a real way to show appreciation for getting ride. Might even make you remember you if looking for a job later on or trying to get on a future jump seat. They have always treated me great; I would find no problem helping them clean up.

 

[HAZ-MAT]

I've done it on SWA, NWA, Comair, ASA and Pinnacle... Whatever row I was placed in I just grab a few loose newspapers that passengers have left behind as I make my way towards the door. I just got a free ride to where I need to go. So whats an extra 3 or 4 minutes of my time to help them with a quicker turn? Come on guy, pitch in everyonce and a while.

 

[blahshmah]

Ace,

You are absolutely right.

I have had offline FAs and pilots lend a hand cleaning our plane and it is very much appreciated BUT IT SHOULD NEVER BE EXPECTED. We do have a few overzealous FAs that I have noticed do exactly whay you said... hand out gloves. I've seen them do it to offline folks and JB crewmembers. I don't let it go unnoticed and will talk with that person about how we are treating our guests. I myself like to lend a hand when I can (which is almost all the time) and I am grateful for those that do the same but it should never be expected.

What you experienced should not be happening. I've run into may 2 or 3 FAs that I noticed doing this so I have to believe that this is the very rare exception and not the rule.

Regards,
BS

 

[38tango]

We have a few FAs who get really bent out of shape when everybody else doesn't help....realistic answer: If you have time why not lend a hand...but you're certainly never obligated to no matter what their opinion may be in that regard. I've had to go running off to try and grab a tight connection or had someone there waiting, and the folks who work in back certainly understand that..most of them do the same stuff we do. It's just a nice gesture, and I can't say it's ever gone unappreciated.

 

[Mr Wu]

We had a Commutair F/O jumpseat with us last week on the 1900. He was last off the airplane. When I went to check the cabin, he had all the belts crossed, reading lights turned off, and brought all the news papers forward. I didn't expect any of this but it was greatly appreciated. Don't remember his name - Guido something.

 

[pilotmiketx]

Uniforms=Free ride and 10% off at Starbucks!

I believe wearing a uniform makes it easier no matter where or with whom you fly.

I got to jump on another airline that shall remain nameless with my uniform and ID. Nevermind the fact that I worked for a 2-bit trash hauler. Just showed up at the counter (ticket in hand) to check my bag and the next thing I know, I'm giving the Capt. the secret handshake.

I made it to the first stop before Capt. Grumpy came back to read me the riot act. I guess they checked "The List" and my company wasn't on it. I used my Jedi mind trick on him and got him to all think it was a big misunderstanding. Whew!

The worst part was the damn pax handing me their trash on the way out. Not only am I not a sky waitress, but I don't even work for your friggin' company! Uniforms suck.