Kitty Hawk Jumpseat?

[b737fo]

I hear that Kitty Hawk is one of the few freight company's who are takig offline jumpseaters on all their airplanes.....is this true?
I know they have an extensive overnight system through their hub. Is the hub comfortable or a collection of old buildings?

 

[I.P. Freley]

I have taken advantage of the KH jumpseat agreement, and I have but one thing to say... GOD BLESS KITTY HAWK!!

Their hub is in Fort Wayne, which is where I happen to live, so it worked out rather nicely for me... And KH guys are welcome in my airplane anytime. More than one of them has come aboard my aircraft and they get a 1st class seat every time.

Anyhoo, the facility in FWA is ONE building, actually, and it's just a big open space with some computers (if you want to check your e-mail), a place to smoke, and a breakfast counter with good coffee and (I'm told) decent food for a comically low price. The usual jumpseat etiquette applies: Be thankful for the free ride, be pleasant, and pal around a bit, don't interrupt them during the preflight/flight, and you'll get where you are going with an absolute minimum of hassle.

You won't be lounging in leather-clad comfort in the hub facility, but if you are going into the facility from one of the outstations and then going back out again (as I imagine most will), you won't be there long anyway... Two hours at most. The KH guys I've met (and I met far more than the six crewmembers that did my two legs) were a great bunch and made the experience an unusually good one.

Be sure to list yourself ahead of time, which involves faxing them copies of your license, company ID, and driver license (if memory serves).

Thanks, KH.

 

[justApilot]

I believe the Polar jumpseat is open to offliners also.

 

[Pondscum]

Not that this is connected with this thread about Kitty Hawk, but Gemini is also open to just about any and all offline jumps. The main thing is the 24-hour notice for international tavel (also not a bad idea for the domestic trips) and proper documentation (ie: passport (intl), pilot certificate, etc.). One caveat (sp?) is the AMC trips - I think we are only allowed to have Company personell on board. Sorry, no summer vacations in Iceland!

 

[classof75]

I jumpseated on the Kitty Hawk system a few weeks ago and will do so again. The crews were friendly and made sure that I was introduced to the outbound crew in the Fort Wayne hub. Their hub is four years old. Food is cheap. Computer access is free. Bunk rooms are there if you need a nap. I would not describe the operations area as one big area, it;s actually several.
I think the fly into 30 or so cities five nights a week.
Two thumbs up for Kitty Hawk.