Earl Williams
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2002
- Posts
- 75
As a Mesa pilot (did I just admit that?) I apologize for your efforts being in vain on getting aboard. I can honestly say that EVERY Captain I have flown with has made every attempt possible to ensure that jumpseaters get on board. At least in PHL, I would have to venture that over 80% of our crews are commuters, and we all understand the plight of others in getting to/from work (or whatever the reason for jumpseating). Unfortunately, a lot is out of our control. And, unfortunately, we're oftentimes not even informed by the gate agent that a jumpseater is trying to get on.
For example, we had a situation just last week at an outstation. We were told that a pilot inside the gate was needing a ride (the flight was full) and asked if he could jumpseat. We immediately said he could, and awaited him to come out to the airplane. Inside the gate, we noticed a conversation between the gate agent and the jumpseater. Then, we noticed the jumpseater leave? As the gate agent came out to the plane with the final paperwork, we asked "where's the jumpseater?" (we were already late getting off the gate). To our dismay, the gate agent told us that "he wasn't dressed in appropriate attire, so I said he couldn't get on board". We were LIVID! We could clearly see that this individual was dressed in a professional manner, and this was the last flight out that evening. He was hosed...not by the crew, but by the gate agent.
As a commuter myself, I have been denied a few times by gate agents that clearly made the executive decision themselves. It takes all of my self control to accept their decision without demanding to talk to the crew. I wonder just how many times we're denied a ride...not due to weight restrictions or other variables, but simply by a gate agent with a chip on their shoulder. To say the least, it's upsetting.
Again, my apologies for your frustrations...please don't think that, as a group, we Mesa crews are in any ways attempting to block your ability to jumpseat. If possible, try to interface with the Captain when s/he comes out to grab the release, or somehow let a crewmember know that you're trying to get on. If we're made aware of your need to get a ride, I can guarantee you we'll do everything in our power to get you where you need to go. That's a promise.
Safe flying,
-Earl
For example, we had a situation just last week at an outstation. We were told that a pilot inside the gate was needing a ride (the flight was full) and asked if he could jumpseat. We immediately said he could, and awaited him to come out to the airplane. Inside the gate, we noticed a conversation between the gate agent and the jumpseater. Then, we noticed the jumpseater leave? As the gate agent came out to the plane with the final paperwork, we asked "where's the jumpseater?" (we were already late getting off the gate). To our dismay, the gate agent told us that "he wasn't dressed in appropriate attire, so I said he couldn't get on board". We were LIVID! We could clearly see that this individual was dressed in a professional manner, and this was the last flight out that evening. He was hosed...not by the crew, but by the gate agent.
As a commuter myself, I have been denied a few times by gate agents that clearly made the executive decision themselves. It takes all of my self control to accept their decision without demanding to talk to the crew. I wonder just how many times we're denied a ride...not due to weight restrictions or other variables, but simply by a gate agent with a chip on their shoulder. To say the least, it's upsetting.
Again, my apologies for your frustrations...please don't think that, as a group, we Mesa crews are in any ways attempting to block your ability to jumpseat. If possible, try to interface with the Captain when s/he comes out to grab the release, or somehow let a crewmember know that you're trying to get on. If we're made aware of your need to get a ride, I can guarantee you we'll do everything in our power to get you where you need to go. That's a promise.
Safe flying,
-Earl
