Jumpseating with just a pilot's license?

[scubabri]

Anyone allow jumpseating with just a commercial license and a smile? I might have to start flying around for interviews and I'm sure I'm only gonna be able to afford about 2

I've heard that some of the Spirit captains will let you on, but only in the back.

How does the js thing work.

b <---- js virgin

 

[satpak77]

Please tell me you are joking

you are joking right

 

[scubabri]

I didn't believe it when I heard it, so I thought I'd ask those in the know

b

 

[Long Time Gone]

It has to be a joke

Heeellllllllloooooooo..........MMMMMcccccccFFFFFlllyyyyyyyy.....

Where have you been? Ever heard of 9/11? Maybe "new security measures"?

In order to get past security, you have to have either a boarding pass (requires a ticket), a seat request (requires a friends and family pass), or an airline ID with the word "CREW" on it.

Most places that you'll interview with will fly you there on their equipment on a space available basis. I've never had to purchase a ticket or arrange my own transportation to an interview. If it actually comes down to that, try to get a friends and family pass (also known as a "buddy pass", or by other names with other companies) from someone you know in the industry, or "someone who knows someone who knows someone".

Anyone who allows that crap to happen, i.e., "Spirit captains who allow you to sit in the back", needs to have a long talk with a Fed so they can make room for others who actually want a job without putting their pax at risk because they're trying to do someone a favor.

Not trying to sound rude or sarcastic. Good luck with the interview process. It's easy for some, and difficult for others.


LTG

 

[flyboy]

A couple of us rampers at Air Whiskey got to jumpseat a few years back (pre 911). All it took was getting in good with a certain captain and talking flying. He was the most down to earth airline pilot I'd ever met. I had my private rating at the time and he welcomed me into the cockpit while I was traveling out for vacation.

 

[350DRIVER]

I would not even try it, that would raise a big red flag in my opinion. Without a 121 or 135 company photo ID to go along with your commercial license/medical you will be unable to j/s in the back. Post-911 this is impossible. Pre-911 with a hope, prayer, and some luck this may have been possible but now it is very unlikely that any carrier will allow this let alone some captain who would make an exception.

I might have to start flying around for interviews and I'm sure I'm only gonna be able to afford about 2

If you are interviewing with the airlines then they will provide you with a space available ticket (some will give a positive space) to get to the interview city that you need to get to, so don't worry about this. If you are interviewing for a 91/135/CFI job then you will be responsible for the transportation costs to get to where you need to get to. (in most cases)

3 5 0

 

[satpak77]

In "the old days"

It aint gonna happen

In the "old days" (1992-ish), you could be any Part 135 pilot and jumpseat and/or non-rev on alot of carriers. The requirments were company ID, pilots license, and business casual. The widely-known easy ones (amongst the canceled check crowd I used to be in) were

Carnival - just needed a pulse

Continental - easy, no hassles, needed to go to "ops" and get the "triplicate form" (still?)

Am. West - easy

Southwest - Had to be "the list" but not uncommon to be granted a ride

United - so/so

Delta - impossible

American - see Southwest above, slightly less likely to be given ride, BIG problem with AA was getting past the gate agent with her revlon nails tapping away at the keyboard ("you fly what kind of checks? uh, WHATEVER major loser.....(insert california blond airhead babble)"

DHL - easy

ABX - easy

FDX - never tried, heard it was relatively painless

LIAT (Caribeean) - easy, yah man, welcome aboard


anyone care to share the memories or correct/add to the list

 

[Fly BI]

In early 2001 I tried to jumpseat on America West. I worked for a cargo carrier that got pass privlidges on AWA. Needless to say I had been stuck in PHX since the previous day and was wanting to go home. I spoke to the Captain of my flight, showed my company ID and explained myself. I wasn't a professional pilot at the time (worked in operations). This captain came unglued with my request and literally made a scene at the gate. Ultimately I was denied boarding and waited for a few more flights to finally get home. A simple "NO" would have sufficed.

 

[justApilot]

I once got the jumpseat with just a note from my mother

 

[A1FlyBoy]

Pre-9/11 there was a 'chance' that with a commercial certificate and other ID with the stars in alignment you could find a jumpseat.

Timing was everything.

Post-9/11 forget about it.

 

[navigator72]

JUmpseat

About a week after 9/11 I jumpseated with a fellow pilot to Boston on Colgan. We wanted to go to Boston for the day to hit the bars. We stopped at the Colgan counter and they gave us a free ride. Although they wouldn't let me try my hand at flying the B1900 (doh!)

 

[cxcap]

What are you guys talking about? I used to jumpseat all the time, in the cockpit (post 9/11) with nothing more than a private pilot certificate on major airlines. Once, the captain even let me take the landing from the left seat of a 777 while he talked me through it from the jumpseat. You guys are just asking the wrong people.

 

[Fly BI]

You forgot to mention he gave you the keys to his Piper and told you to "take her whenever you want".

 

[chperplt]

About a week after 9/11 I jumpseated with a fellow pilot to Boston on Colgan

If you weren't 121 or 135 no you didn't. If Colgan is anal about anything, it is security.

 

[Kaman]

Hello,
Too bad isn't like it was when I was a rampie about 20+ years ago. I jumpseated all the time in YS-11s, DC-3s, Martin 4-0-4s and even got some right-seat time in the Cessna 402 and EMB-110. Times have changed. In those days we weren't even required to have SIDA badges, screen pax or luggage.

Regards,

ex-Navy Rotorhead

 

[satpak77]

one time as a lineboy the local freight hauler let me ride with him to San Antonio, but I personally knew him and also his Chief Pilot from my line boy activities.

never seen Navajo stacks at night before that

 

[DC9stick]

Anyone allow jumpseating with just a commercial license and a smile? I might have to start flying around for interviews and I'm sure I'm only gonna be able to afford about 2

I've heard that some of the Spirit captains will let you on, but only in the back.

How does the js thing work.

b <---- js virgin

To get on at Spirit (in the cabin) you must have a Company ID, Pilot Certificate( At least Commercial) a current medical certificate
of the appropriate class and the Captains blessing. I have not heard of anyone getting on with just one of the above and said Capt. would be in violation of Co. policy and his job in jeopardy.

 

[cdog]

Way pre 9/11:
Ferried an acft from Central America to HUB. Went to a SWA gate to begin a short vacation to my home town. The SW capt read me the riot act on my appearance, oil and jet-a stains, jet-a stench. He said,"you can't ride in back with all those nice people like that, you WILL have to sit in the js" (also got to smoke along with the capt & f.o.).

 

[scubabri]

ok.. so.. that pretty much sums that up

b