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jumpseating in Camo's

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blackbox

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 5, 2005
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383
hey guys,

I have been looking at joining the guard (non-flying position). The unit i would join is a good ways away from my home. So thought of jumpseating on a flight to get to and from drill weekends. First off, is that legit? and secondly would it be unprofessional to j/s in my BDUs?

thanks
 
I have the same question. I am in the Guard and just got a 121 job that will take me away from my unit and jumpseating is the only practical way to get there. Anybody currently doing this?
 
As far as it being legit, I say yes it totally is. Many jumpseaters I have had are doing just that, and if I were you I wouldn't worry about it at all. On your second point, I personally have no problem whatsoever with you wearing BDU's while jumpseating and really don't think it would be an issue except for the one in a million chance you run into a total prick. I do have a question totally unrelated to jumpseating. A few years ago it seemed that most military folks I ran into in airports or the grocery store for that matter, were wearing Class A or B, just curious as to the change or new policy. Either way thank for your service and God bless.
 
They were probably pencil pushers or recruiters. If you go to a nice resteraunt or bar you are supposed to wear class A or B's but BDUs are OK at grocery store or McDonald's.
 
MELVIS said:
As far as it being legit, I say yes it totally is. Many jumpseaters I have had are doing just that, and if I were you I wouldn't worry about it at all. On your second point, I personally have no problem whatsoever with you wearing BDU's while jumpseating and really don't think it would be an issue except for the one in a million chance you run into a total prick. I do have a question totally unrelated to jumpseating. A few years ago it seemed that most military folks I ran into in airports or the grocery store for that matter, were wearing Class A or B, just curious as to the change or new policy. Either way thank for your service and God bless.
Click to expand...

When I was in the Air Force we were required by regulation to wear "blues" when traveling on commercial transportation. This was ten years ago though. I see a lot of guys in BDU's now, mainly Army but even some blue suiters coming back from deployment to "the real world" from S.W. Asia. Who's going to pack a dress uniform to Iraq/Afghanistan? :)
 
I have been in the Guard 13 years now (non-flying position) and commuted to my previous unit. It's ok to jumpseat for that reason, however, why where your BDU's. I jumpseated to a hurricane and wore civilian clothes.
 
I would have a hard time believing anyone would have an issue with you jumpseating to your military duty. Many in this industry have military background, and most of us who do not recognize and appreciate your service to the country (and ultimately each one of us). So I'd say yes, go ahead and do it and be proud to say you are heading to drill when talking to the crew. As far as BDUs, I don't know that would go over, but personally I wouldn't want to be the one to deny an airline crew member who is jumpseating in military clothing. Perhaps if you have a more formal military uniform to wear.
 
SAAB Driver said:
I have been in the Guard 13 years now (non-flying position) and commuted to my previous unit. It's ok to jumpseat for that reason, however, why where your BDU's. I jumpseated to a hurricane and wore civilian clothes.
Click to expand...

thanks everyone for your replies. I'ld be in my BDUs because once drill ends on sunday, I would head straight to the airport to commute home.
 
I always thought jumpseating was at least business casual. Are BDUs business casual?

Do you not have time to change clothes before/after your jumpseat?
 
Soverytired said:
Every legal pilot gets to jump in my jumpseat.

Hell, I once took a Cactus guy in flip flops, shorts, and a Hawaiian shirt.

If I'll take a clueless dork like that, you can be sure I'll take a hard charging military type.
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That is funny. I used to take anyone as well. I took a jB guy one time that was wearing jeans and a t-shirt. As he went to the back of the plane, my FO and I just shook our head, but he did get the ride. My favorite was over 10 years ago, we had a UAL FA that was traveling on a pass. At the last minute they had to pull her off the plane for a paying pax. She came up to the cockpit and asked me (now she is wearing a workout out fit) "if I put a dress on, can I ride up front in the jumpseat?". We were ready to go, I told her "not to worry, and just go as you are." I took her up front in the jumpseat. After that time, I happened to jumpseat on 3 planes that she was working, and she always put me in First Class. It pays to be nice.
 
The only person that can ask you to jumpseat is yourself. The jumpseat is a priviledge and at many times a negotiated union benefit. The jumpseat is for personal use... so use it!

However, the jumpseat is because of your airline status, not your MIL status. So when functioning as "Other Member Crew" as UAL calls it..it is best to look like a pilot or someone from the training center.

If BDU's are ok then why not flightsuits? Where is the line?

Protect the jumpseat. Don't take it for granted.... we can't afford to lose this priviledge...
 
Sometimes travelling in military uniform can be tough. One of our fine young Marines was travelling from Iraq to the US in uniform, with his military ID, and his leave orders in hand. This man had seen combat. On his way through security the TSA detected explosive residue on his boots. Now what do you suppose happened? Common sense? Of course not. This valiant young man was placed on the F'ing NO FLY LIST. His Congressman had to get involved. So be careful. Thousands Standing Around is operated and managed by a bunch of retards.
 
I would probably laugh at you for wearing your BDU's/Cammies on the J/S unless you missed morning formation and plan to go directly to the drill center when we arrived. Nothing screams, "Boot!" more than that.

In the Marines and if your off base it's civys or class Charlies or better unless you are on duty or going directly to/from base or Iraq. I've seen a fellow Marine get a page 11 and demoted for getting caught eating in at McDonald's off base in his cammies.

Only the Army and the Airforce are heinous enough to wear their BDU's as they loaf around the grocery stores, McDonalds, etc.

You're a total dork if you J/S in military uniform unless you are in the extreme circumstance mentioned above.

That being said, you'll be welcome on my J/S anytime, just be prepared to get an earful. Thanks for even considering doing what so many people take for granted nowadays.
 
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If I was commuting to drill(im not in the guard/reserves yet) and wanted to wear my BDU's and ride the jumpseat so be it. If somebody made fun of me for wearing them, I would politely tell them to Go F themselves and get off the plane. What is the difference between a mil uniform and a pilot uniform? I think BDU's look better than the crap we wear. If a guy wants to wear a flight suit while hes commuting to drill, thats his right, he has earned it.
 
Just remember, the gate agent has the first say.... and sometimes it's hard to get past that first no...... you might not see the captain to ask him. They can be really....ummm, challenging to deal with at times. I personally wouldn't jump in my BDU's OR a bag, but I guess that's just me. It takes two minutes to change, and you'll have an overnight bag with you anyways. Good Luck!
 
Dirty Sanchez said:
I always thought jumpseating was at least business casual. Are BDUs business casual?

Do you not have time to change clothes before/after your jumpseat?
Click to expand...


Business casual IS the rule... and no, BDUs are not business casual. Some pilots wouldn't have a problem. However, YOUR problem would be the gate agents who may. Play it safe and take the five minutes to change into khakis and a golf shirt!
 
I jumpseat to the guard and do not/will not travel in uniform. I just don't like drawing extra attention, plus there is a little bit of dork-factor. It only takes a minute to pull off the flight suit, even BDUs and throw on a polo shirt and kakis. That being said if I was the capeeetan, anyone in military uniform would be welcome and I'd be up in some gate agents chilli if they were trying to deny them.
 
I've gone in the flight suit before but now it's too much of a hassle with TSA so I just bring the pilot uniform with me.
 
Anyone who has served this country in our military is welcome on my jumpseat in anything they want to wear.
 

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