jumpseating on nw/dl

[ricj41]

I am going to upstate mn tomorrow and going on nw. I went to alpas jumpseat website to see if there were any special procedures to list myself and didn't see any. Do I really just go to the gate or is there a # to call to list myself prior? Thanks.

 

[nwaredtail]

Just go to the gate, tell the agent you would like to see if the jumpseat is available, and she will handle the rest.

 

[Herman]

Just go to the gate, tell the agent you would like to see if the jumpseat is available, and she will handle the rest.

...or...she will tell you that you need to have listed for the jumpseat. You will tell her that there is no way to list for the jumpseat since you are an off-line jumpseater. After that you will get different varieties of "but you need to list, if you want the jumpseat", all should be answered with your original response of "I am unable to list, because I do not work for your airline"....
After about standing around for about 5 min and the gate agent getting upset with you and hacking around furiously on her keyboard the entire time, you should be set and end up with the jump.
If this sounds a bit over exagurated, I get that treatment at the NWA gates 4 times out of 5, totaling to more a grand total of more digits I have on my hands and feet. In the end it always works though, the process is just frustrating.

 

[nwaredtail]

...or...she will tell you that you need to have listed for the jumpseat. You will tell her that there is no way to list for the jumpseat since you are an off-line jumpseater. After that you will get different varieties of "but you need to list, if you want the jumpseat", all should be answered with your original response of "I am unable to list, because I do not work for your airline"....
After about standing around for about 5 min and the gate agent getting upset with you and hacking around furiously on her keyboard the entire time, you should be set and end up with the jump.
If this sounds a bit over exagurated, I get that treatment at the NWA gates 4 times out of 5, totaling to more a grand total of more digits I have on my hands and feet. In the end it always works though, the process is just frustrating.

You are more than welcome to walk next time if you find the process so frustrating. I have seen THOUSANDS of pilots jumpseat on NWA with no problem.

 

[txpilottj]

I can count on one hand the number of times I've had trouble jumpseating on NW....class act all the way around in my experience.

If someone thinks riding NW is tough, they'd better steer well clear of the average AA gate agent who would eat them for lunch and ask for seconds....

 

[FBN0223]

Tip: Start out by being extremely polite and I think that you'll see 4 out 5 times you'll have no problems.

 

[nwaredtail]

Or better yet, just give us your name and airline and I'll pass on to our jumpseat chairman that you are having a difficult time jumpseating 80% of the time on NWA.

 

[slapstick]

somebody's feeling sensitive...

 

[CiFIknow]

Upstate MN?? I am from Northern MN, and have no clue where upstate MN is.

 

[Tref]

Upstate MN?? I am from Northern MN, and have no clue where upstate MN is.

:laugh: Was just thinking that myself.

 

[Herman]

You are more than welcome to walk next time if you find the process so frustrating. I have seen THOUSANDS of pilots jumpseat on NWA with no problem.

Hey, the initial post was about the process of obtaining a jumpseat. If it was as easy as going up to the counter then I would have not shared my experiences. All I tried to share was that unfortunately some gate agents seem to think that the process is the same for every pilot, working for NW or being an off-line jumpseater. I believe I did say that in the end it always works out after jumping through the gate agent's hoops. I'm sure everyone has great gate agent stories, there just seems to be a pattern when I try to jump on NW. In the end I am always grateful to get a ride just like the NW guys that ride with us...and if walking was ever an option, I would. No TSA, no getting bumped and no fuss. In most cases that option is just not that feasible.

 

[fiel12]

NW has always been great to me. They were my bread and butter commute airline for quite a while. There have been a few times their agents got me on by doing some magic they wouldn't want their bosses to know about. If you're heading up to a smaller market in northern MN, odds are you'll be going to a Mesaba station. Same policy as NW, and equally accomodating.

 

[CrownandCoke]

I've jumped them numerous times from DEN-MSP and back and have yet to have any issues at all. In fact, they are hassle free 99% of the time. I've gotten first class on them numerous times.

 

[Twisted Mind]

If you end up on a weight limited Saab ask the CA to run the numbers thu the PDA. He might be able to get you on.

 

[glasspilot1]

>> If you end up on a weight limited Saab ask the CA to run the numbers thu the PDA. <<

I always used to tell the Capt I weighed 1 pound! I always got a laugh outa that one!

And sometimes it got the Capt thinking and being a little more creative with his numbers!

 

[AeroDMB]

I'm trying to jumpseat up to Canada from MSP on NW/DL this weekend, any suggestions or is pretty straight forward just like the US? I'm also looking to check a couple bags, will this be a problem for an off-line guy?

 

[pilotx86]

they're pretty straight forward. i call the nwa reservation number and they will list you. checking bags, not so sure

 

[pilotx86]

oh not to mention nwa pilots the number of times i've jumped msp to canada and to nyc, what a great bunch of guys. everyone is bound to have an issue with a gate agent that may be having an off-day or just new and overwhelmed. Even AA isn't so bad, you just need to be polite and not be a jerk. Even if they're being nasty to you, be polite and it goes a long way.

 

[slaquer5]

If you have to sit up front make sure you talk ( crazy talk ) I was J/S ing on NWA years ago and the FO asked me how do I like SWA then asked me what AC I am on. When I replied that I am on the DC-9 just like they are flying , they both immediately turned around with a frantic look that still sticks with me. It is still one of my favorite story to tell.

 

[BILL LUMBERG]

That reminds me of a good story...

I was jumpseating on a UAL 727 and the crew was Denver based and it was a few months before Y2K. They were the nicest guys, but NUTS!!!

They all had a "plan B" in case the Y2K thing went bad. They described stories about how all their kids have secret backroad maps so they can get to their mountain lairs in the hills when chaos erupts. One guy told stories about how every time for 3 months he was at the costco, he picked up 3 pallets of water (PALLETS!). The Engineer was telling a story about how he has set up a hydroponic food system that is immune to radiation. Another story was about how the gun shop KEEPS RUNNING OUT of 50 Cal. ammo?!?!?!?

I thought it was a joke, but as the flight progressed, they were dead serious nutjobs!!