Jumpseat Etiquette

[flyndesk]

B190Capt

The "lesson" was for you jumpseaters, not you.

But yeah, it is asking too much to have us WAIT if you are busy, have the door closed (if you have one!), or the aircraft deplanes from a door not near the cockpit. (ATR's, 757's sometimes.) Thank 'em when you get on, and thank whomever is there when you get off.

Regional guys:

Last 2 jobs I had, both at Majors, had time set aside in Basic Indoc for someone at the company to come in and talk about jumpseats- etiquitte, how to list, dress code, etc. Talk to your training departments. Maybe you can get something started. All it takes is one or two newbies being rude to the wrong guy to have your whole airline lose its priveldges with another company.

And guys, please don't let this go off into "major guys are ruder/no, it's those regional guys....." Trust me, both have a little of each. Let's get those apples up to speed so we can all enjoy our benfits.

 

[hovermode]

My Experience

This is just my experience and view of this. I commute and I'm on the jumpseat all of the time. I also fly to popular detinations..ie VPS PFN PNS... I get jumpseaters ALL of the time. The senerios are similar, with variations.
Most gate agents will give these guys a seat in the back if available, so I never see them. However, the true commuters will ask the F/A to see the Capt(Me) to say "Hi". Usually a brief intro and an offer to see the cred's. Involved is usually a simple "hey, how's going.. or are you guys hiring?..." followed by, "will you assist my F/A's in the event of an emergency?" then " Welcome aboard, I'll see you in ATL". Every once in a while I get some.. well you know, I just hope that there is a seat in the back, so the F/O and I can talk about him on the way there. LOL..

Just my opinon. I always say thanks for the ride when I leave.

 

[DrinkSweetTea]

Just a reminder to all....Just b/c someone is in uniform doesnt mean they are JSeating. They could be on positive space crew move, or possibly they have an agreement/codeshare that allows them to nonrev for your airline. In this circumstance, a hello, or thanks for the ride may be polite, but not required

 

[DDpaysoff]

I have been jumpseating for four years now and I appreciate every flight I have been given the chance to ride on. May I add a few things to the jumpseat ettiquite list.

Always introduce yourself to the FO and thank him/her as well. I have a lot of people that do not say hi, that jumpseat on my a/c and I have taken notice. Especially, when I have to write their name on the top of the manifest. A good captain always introduces the FO to the jumpseater if he does not initially. Also, stay out of the way. I follow this rule always. At the gate, in the cabin, in the flight deck entrance. Try to be as unnoticeable as possible. As far as waiting to say good-bye and thanks again. I do if I can and still say out of the way, if the flight attendant is standing in the doorway I just say, 'thanks again guys' loud enough so they can hear.

Now for a quick rant; is there some some rule at cargo carriers that I will leave anonymous that you don't have to check in w/ captain anymore. I see this all the time and when I upgrade if it happens they will be kicked right off the airlplane. Also, what have they done the last two years to fix the door problem they have? I have slept in more recliners than I care to admit when I could be on jumpseat going home. Starting to strike some nerves.

If anyone is in doubt on jumpseat ettiquite just ask a jet blue pilot. Every one I have ever met seems to have it down they are very proffessional about riding.

 

[Singlecoil]

Another thing to remember is to read the jumpseat pass. Most airlines will put their policies on either the front or back of the form. Some airlines instruct you not to talk to the captain before the flight when they are busy. Horizon and Hawaiian come to mind. They instruct you to thank the captain after the flight. That was a few years ago, though, so that may have changed.

 

[TWA Dude]

Somebody above mentioned how gate agents give JS'ers a boarding pass and seat assignments. I'm sure y'all know but it's the captain and not the agent who grants final JS approval. The seat assignment thing is simply expedient for them and does NOT take away the requirement to ask for the JS from the captain.

Way back when I was a commuter airline newhire they didn't tell us much about JS'ing so I asked many different pilots before I attempted it myself. Just last month I had newbie hop on my J41 and tell me that he's the jumpseater. I resisted the temptation to say, "Are you SURE?" and after finding out that he's a newbie we had a little chat about etiquette. I hope he was paying attention.

Dude

 

[Freight Dog]

As for 9E, and while this "sounds" like an excuse it isn't...

We have about 200-300 new hires who are now armed with a badge and no clue on how to jumpseat. I personally got to witness one of our new hires (not even off of OE yet) make himself comfortable in 1st class and watch as myself and a AMW guy went to the back of the aircraft. He was not even in uniform and BS'ing on the phone minutes after the door closed.

Did not board near the end, went with the first class pax, did not wait until the end to deplane, went with the first class pax.

Some new hires who have never J/S'd before just don't know.

This is where you go to your ALPA Member Services and Jumpseat Committees and ask them to address the issue right there in indoc. Take time to explain and clarify the jumpseat etiquette to the new-hires.

 

[relief tube]

all very good info. but hey, was it really necessary to call out the 2 company's those 2 worked for? This ain't junior high. Every airline has enough pilots to always have a couple idiots lying around.

 

[searching]

PCL Flt-ops, no offense, but last time I checked, Pinnacle used to be a PFT airline, so you guys have alot who paid also. Not that it matters to me, but do you make fun of the captains you fly with? Many of which paid.

 

[dondk]

This is where you go to your ALPA Member Services and Jumpseat Committees and ask them to address the issue right there in indoc. Take time to explain and clarify the jumpseat etiquette to the new-hires.

We are working on the issue, the sad part is we are swamped with new hires and the average line is built between 90-95 hours. No time to work with people when and "if" you have anytime your going to get extended or junior manned.

 

[B190Captain]

Why do you want a "Thank You" from these guys? You're the one who paid for the ride!

OK I guess you're right, they should have thanked you for paying $18,000 to fund the airline so that they could ride in the back!!!

Typical response from someone that has nothing to contribute to the topic at hand. Oh my! You are from PCL. Why am I not surprised.

 

[B190Captain]

BTW,

I do not mean to say that everyone at PCL are complete morons like some examples mentioned here. I am sure there are quite a few true professionals at PCL. Hell, I have friends at PCL.

It just seems that these last few days I have been exposed to the "bad" or "un-educated" few from PCL like junior here (PCL Flt-Ops) and the jumpseater.

 

[OPECJet]

1900, the hottie in your avatar can come jump on my seat anytime.

 

[Freight Dog]

We are working on the issue, the sad part is we are swamped with new hires and the average line is built between 90-95 hours. No time to work with people when and "if" you have anytime your going to get extended or junior manned.

Don't you guys have ALPA days for committee people and the MEC or LEC reps?

 

[dondk]

You must mean those days they cancel due to scheduling (lack of coverage). Our scheduling guru could not get released this past month due to no availability.