jump seat solution

[THEGREENMONSTER]

This has also happened to me in the past. What i have done is found the first class check in where the line is ussally small or non existant. They are ussally very helpfull and I am on my way thru the security check point in just a couple of minutes. I believe the only airports they will not let you go directly thru are airports that your airline does not fly into. Hope this helps.

 

[flx757]

I believe the only airports they will not let you go directly thru are airports that your airline does not fly into.

Not exactly true. The TSA is testing this procedure at a few airports..STL being one..I think LAX (or at least certain terminals at LAX) being another. I think there are around 5 or 6 airports participating in this test project. They have stated that their ultimate goal is for this to be nationwide at some point in the future.

 

[PCL Flt-ops]

You know honestly, I'm not impressed with the TSA at all. It's still the same idiots, except now they are operated by the Gov't instead of private companies. They may smile a little more, but it's the same moron patting down Flight-Crews like they are criminals while Arabs with turbines on their heads waltz right through security hassle free.

 

[dkwid]

PCL Flt-ops,

lighten-up!

I'm sure you can find some positive aspects of your life to focus.

Call me "rosey optimist" or a rosey handed monkey dresser
I have had zero hassles (really none) at security. Once I did forget to unlatch my cellphone , still I found the service acceptable. AND, PCL Flt-OPs, they are just doing their job.

Dispense with your name calling or bad Karma Cometh to you ten fold...............................


Is it really that bad?

 

[PCL Flt-ops]

YES, IT'S THAT BAD! I will lighten up when ALPA gets a Universal Access Card for all Flight Crews and we don't have to go through security anymore. Unfortunately my dues are being wasted on other bs instead of restoring jumpseating and getting a Universal Access Card.

dkwid- I appreciate your optimistic attitude, but unfortunately I'm not as "cheery" as you when it comes to these security idiots without GED's. Believe me, there are plenty of other airline pilots who share my same opinion. Some are even stronger opinionated then me on this subject.

 

[PCL_128]

YES, IT'S THAT BAD! I will lighten up when ALPA gets a Universal Access Card for all Flight Crews and we don't have to go through security anymore. Unfortunately my dues are being wasted on other bs instead of restoring jumpseating and getting a Universal Access Card.

dkwid- I appreciate your optimistic attitude, but unfortunately I'm not as "cheery" as you when it comes to these security idiots without GED's. Believe me, there are plenty of other airline pilots who share my same opinion. Some are even stronger opinionated then me on this subject.

You're right, I'm another pilot who shares your opinion. Although there are many TSA agents that do their job well, there are just as many that get a power trip and treat pilots like sh*t. There are several airports that we serve that treat us especially bad. Those airport shall remain nameless, but suffice it to say that they seem to get a joy out of treating us like your average terrorist. I'm sorry, but I think my company ID, SIDA badge, pilot cert, medical, etc.. should be enough for me to get through security without this much hassle. In my short airline career I've had 5 FBI background checks, 2 sets of digital fingerprints taken, numerous employment background checks, taken several security classes, and received GSC certification at my previous airline. I shouldn't have to go through all this BS just to get to the gate to jumpseat.

 

[Huck]

I've said this before: they treat us this way, because THEY CAN. They day they can't, they WON'T. Let freaking Norman Mineta come out and fly the jets.

This is why we have a big ole' union, ain't it?

 

[enigma]

Let freaking Norman Mineta come out and fly the jets.

I think I read last week that Minetas two sons are Major airline Captains. Hopefully they are letting him know what's happening.

8N

 

[dispatchguy]

They're probably check airmen who only fly turns, and never do overnites, and never leave the sterile area at their turnpoint.

Oh well, gotta go pack for my commute - I bet ORD will be a zoo this morning!

 

[ifly4food]

While I agree that it's BS that we must still get harassed at security (where is ALPA anyhow?) you have to admit it's much better now.
Contrary to some opinions, the truth is that less than 20% of the old screeners made it into the TSA.

Unlike before, they are required to focus on BOTH security and customer service. The TSA people are also accountable. If you find them not following a procedure to the letter or get an attitude from one of them, tell a supervisor. In my experience, the supervisor will immediately have a "talk" with the offender, especially with "attitude" complaints.
Before, if you had a problem, the supervisor basically told you tough luck. Now, even if the sup doesn't help you, a badge number and a letter to the TSA will get you help.

Another nice thing is that the policies are supposed to be standardized from airport to airport. You don't have to worry about which airports are "tough" anymore. From all the airorts I go to, it seems to be true... the ones that used to be tough have relaxed and the ones that used to be easy have gotten harder.

All in all, I'd say the TSA is a good thing. At least it's better than it was before when the screeners were a bunch of mean, uneducated, wannabe cops who were accountable to no one.

 

[NEDude]

The only thing I can guess is TSA must be trying this at airports with seperate security points for different airlines. I am fortunate enought that I commute in an out of airports that either have one security point, or the airline I am commuting on shares a wing the the airline that issued my ID badge.

Commuting is getting harder and it seems like ALPA and the airlines are not doing too much to make jumpseating for us easier. I still think ALPA and all pilot groups should implement a national "Can't find a Jumpseat" day and see how many flights get cancelled or delayed due to pilots not being able to make it to work. My guess is one or two of those and everyone will be screaming loud and hard at TSA and the FAA to open things up. It is time to take the gloves off and flight hard for this. Our quality of life is deeply affected by this. My airline has closed five or six bases in the past year and now the majority of us commute and things are very hard for a lot of us.

 

[IAHERJ]

NEDude,

I believe you guys are allowed in the cockpit JS on our ERJ's now. If not on paper you should be soon as many of our pilots (70) are planning on heading up to your training department to help staff the expansion into CLE and the 12 or so new markets Commutair will be getting in a few months. I don't know how that makes you guys feel right now but most all of those pilots will be back at Express by the end of 2003 which means things will be moving fast for your seniority list in 2003 as well. We need to get together on this so your guys can come over to Express if they want without having to interview. I hope our pilot groups work together in the future as we see Commutair as a well run airline that we are proud to be affiliated with.

EWRERJ

 

[NEDude]

IAHERJ,

From what we hear, it is still not a formal agreement. Although I don't commute on Continental or COEX, many of the guys who do have had the cockpit offered if the back was full. I think our company has recently submitted another formal request to Continental to open the cockpit to us at both mainline and express, but there has been no announcement. We do meet the FAA and TSA requirements for cockpit access.

As for the CLE thing, you guys know more about it than we do. Everything we hear is from you. Although our Chief Pilot and the guys in the training department have begun to admit privately they are gearing up for it. I think most of us are excited about this opportunity and are fine with furloughed Express guys coming over for a bit. On a personal note I have to say the vast majority of your guys I have come accross have been cool about it. I think we all hope that as pilot groups we can work together on this so it becomes a positive for all involved. And I think our respective managements would be smart to help facilitate a good agreement as well.

And thanks from all of us who may need use the COEX jumpseat