Jumpseating Etiquette

[ILLINI]

I will be jumpseating for the first time in a few days and was looking for some advice on jumpseating etiquette. I know some basics like attire, thankfully passing on meals/drinks offered, and introdcucing yourself to captain and crew. I have heard that it is common for j/s'ers to bring candy bars, or something of the sort, for the crew... is this true? What about baggage? I assume it should only be a small carry on. I'm a 135 freight pilot, so I don't really have a uniform, so I will just be wearing shirt & tie w/ khakis... this should be ok eh?

Thanks in advance for your input!

 

[AWACoff]

I once tried passing on a meal on a United flight from DEN to ORD. The captain, first officer, AND the other jumpseater all turned around at the same time and gave me the "look". The captain then says, "you work at Lakes, right?". I say "yes". He then says, "Well, then you going to eat the **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** meal and stuff as many extra meals into your flight case as you can fit, understand?!". I say "yes SIR". Apparently politeness can only go so far. I got 6 extra meals out of it. The flight attendant actually brought me a doggy bag. Never decline food or drink I say! Oh, and always thank the flight attendants. They're the ones doing the hardwork "behind" the scenes. You never know when you'll have the same FAs again. First Class is at their discretion...

 

[njcapt]

As a ten - year commuter, I think the most important thing you can do is ASK the Lead F/A if you can have a seat in the back (no matter what the Captain says, the cabin is theirs). I have never been refused (I don't know what I would do if they did!), but this goes a long way in getting you fine treatment. Don't drink (I can't believe I have to advise that, but I do), and don't discuss your freebie status with civilians any more than necessary. Also, thank the crew for the ride on the way out if it won't cause you to get in the way.

Too bad you can't ride in the cockpit, I remember my first jump seat ride on the old Midway Airlines on one of their DC-9's and it was totally cool.

 

[Saluki Dawg]

Not to rain on your parade Illini, but if you are with a 135 operator, you will need to do some thorough checking with the airline you are trying to jumpseat on and make sure that they are taking 135 jumpseaters. Most airlines, including the one I fly for only allow pilots from other 121 operators to jumpseat or limited 135 operators with whom they have a recpricol jumpseat agreement with.

 

[Boeingman]

ILLINI

PT 135 freight? I can't think of any 121 carriers BEFORE 9/11 that allowed them on. We can't even allow some 121 carriers anymore

I'd be very carefull with your planning and have a good back up.

NJCAPT:

The Captain does own the cabin. I've had this discussion several times with bitchy FA's and I can assure you they did not prevail.

 

[ILLINI]

Thank you all for your information. I'd just like to clarify that when I said to pass on meal/drink, I meant pop or juice - not alcohol. I just spoke with this particular airline's pass bureau and HR departments and confirmed that they DO allow 135 pilots to jumpseat, and will take as many jumpseaters as there are empty seats.

 

[AZaviator]

Just a little more advice to add. When you first get up to the airplane, leave your bags in the jetway. Then walk into the aircraft and ask the Flight Attendant to speak with the captain about the jumpseat, as opposed to just walking in the aircraft and on into the cockpit. It sounds like common sense, but I have seen people do it, during my jumpseat experiences.

Also, when you talk to the captain, be sure to ASK about the possibility of jumpseating. The very first time I jumpseated, I wasn't sure what to say, so I told the Captain, "HI, I'm your jumpseater on this flight." The captain replied with, "are you asking me, or telling me?" haha. We had a good laugh about it later.

For baggage, yea, the previous posts are correct. Bring one carry on, and that should be about it. Wearing a tie is a must, if you don't have a uniform to wear.

Hope this helps!

 

[wildbill]

ILLINI,
Be sure to use common courtesy at the gate and introduce yourself to both the Captain and his First Officer. They are a professional team and it is important that they both get to know a little bit about you. Have your license, medical and I.D. ready from them to view. The many times I had the privilage to jumpseat, I found it interesting and educational. It is great to see other teams work together. The crew will take the time in most instances to explain their cockpit proceedures if you get to ride up front. If you need to ride in the back act professional and like the other poster said say as little as possible to passengers as to your flying status. I rode one trip and a passenger looked around the first class cabin which was about full and asked me if he was the only one who bought a ticket for first class. As for food, while riding up front the captain told a lead FA to bring me a steak for my meal. Next thing I knew the cockpit door opened and a trash bag of almonds came flying up with a big laugh. Again, remember to be professional and enjoy the privilage. There are a lot of great crews out there who will make you feel welcome.
Best of Luck.

 

[135fr8r]

As far as whether or not 121 carriers allow 135 guys to jumpseat I can say this. Vangaurd, ATA, and Frontier are taking 135 guys right now. Out of those 3 airlines my company has an agreement with one of them, but all 3 have welcomed myself and other fellow pilots from my company with no prob. A friend I work with has regularly jumped with one of the "Big 3" airlines. It`s all up to the Captain so at least give it a try. If the gate agent says "you aren`t on the list", then ask if he/she will let you talk to the captain, or if he/she will ask the captain themselves. Just don`t be pushy, or act like they owe you something. Good luck to ya.

 

[shamrock]

I'd have to echo wildbill's point about introducing yourself to BOTH crewmembers. Being a lowly FO I am biased about this but I think it's just common courtesy. I've lost track of the number of jumpseaters who have blown by me with hardly a nod on their way to talk to the captain. To me that's a little rude so I try to introduce myself to everybody up front when I jumpseat. Sometimes the FO is busy or just isn't interested in talking (common on a RJ) but I always make the effort.

 

[bin LAAidoff]

I started a post complimenting all the good advice given thus far, and adding a few tidbits of my own.

I ended up cancelling my post. I had a conversation with a buddie at a trash hauler today, and we concluded it would be great if there were the Omnibus Jumpseat Act and Ettiquite Guide. However, in publishing ettiquitte, I'm afraid we inadvertently give away the store. Though most requests are sincere, it only takes one. Plus, we never know who reads content. One smooth talker, silver toungued devil could cause a disaster.

As an industry, I think we need to keep this information guarded, like other cheezy videotapes with bearded men.... I'd love to share the information, but if you are working for a company that has j/s priv., somebody at your company should be able to give you the lowdown, or put you in touch, or you know a pilot somewhere you can ask by phone etc. The "I know a guy who knows a guy" network is powerfull.

if you think I'm overboard, check out

http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/ap/20020114/us/attacks_phony_pilot_1.html

or type in "jumpseat" at yahoo. Pretty clear that person who wrote this is scamming on free travel. Even if fraudulent rider does not have criminal intent, it damages our ability to get to and fro...

 

[njcapt]

> The Captain does own the cabin. I've had this discussion several times with bitchy FA's and I can assure you they did not prevail.
<

Ahhh.... the difference between perception and reality. I sincerely hope that you decline any opened beverages or coffee from Flight Attendants who have heard your opinion about who OWNS the cabin. Asleep during the CRM portion of your last recurrent training, huh?

 

[LR25]

Just be casual an friendly (that goes without saying) and when the cokpit door shuts usaully the crew has a pretty good time.

Just remember the 10,000 ft thing, even if the crew does some chatting, just courtesy, unless one of them turns around and asks you someting.

Oh, just realized you won't be up front I guess unless they have changed some of the rules of rescent. Oh well.

Advice for the future.

LR25

 

[Boeingman]

[B
Ahhh.... the difference between perception and reality. I sincerely hope that you decline any opened beverages or coffee from Flight Attendants who have heard your opinion about who OWNS the cabin. Asleep during the CRM portion of your last recurrent training, huh? [/B]

CRM with the sky goddesses? Nope, but I will not tolerate abusive FA's demeaning JS riders. Our company policy specifically states they are to be offered FC accomedations. Secondly it is a security issue with me as well. I cover this in the initial breifing.

You going to let some PMS'g FA run roughshod over your airplane?
I'm not.

Incidently, I eat quite well on my flights.

 

[Broke in CVG]

I am still waiting for a j/s to bring me an Egg McMuffin. It's all I ask... and hasn't happened yet. I am starting to loose faith in humanity.

 

[KlingonLRDRVR]

ILLINI,

You will never go wrong in bringing a small bag of good quality candies to share with the pilots and FAs. As I always tell my wife the way to a person's heart is through their stomach. If they don't want any, more for you. It's a nice touch of class to offer.

KlingonLRDRVR

 

[StaySeated]

One more note about the food, an FA might not know that you are jumpseating and the catering could be short for the flight. Make sure they know before they give you the last meal and one more paying passenger remains.

Boeingman, if I were you I would not eat anything already opened after the PMSing comment.

 

[bobbysamd]

Jumpseating eats

For what it's worth, I heard that it won't hurt to bring on a bag of Egg McMuffins to share with the crew.

 

[English]

In the days before 9/11, food was graciously accepted. Since, crews I've jumpseated with have declined food. Can't say I blame them...I guess the concern is that food could be tampered with. Too bad...I was always good for bringing Cinnabons, brownies and cookies...

 

[TurboS7]

Be professional, and have fun. Be sure and ask the captain for permission to use the jumpseat. Be prepared to answer questions about your job and the aircraft you fly. Don't B.S. more often than not the captain has time in the aircraft you fly and can give you an oral on it that you will never forget.