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Paying for a Jumpseat!!??@!%&*

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I

I'm lost

Member
Joined
Feb 7, 2002
Posts
12
This is a letter to anybody at Airtran that gives a flip. First of all, you guys are a great bunch of people, everyone has always been real cool. If it wasn't for Airtran I wouldn't get to work most of the time, and you guys are always welcome to jumpseat on my A/C, but what gives with the 25 dollar charge for hitching a ride if you're not the lucky guy who happened to be waiting at the counter first. Now I know that it is certainly not the pilots fault for this new policy, we all know that managment will try anything to make an extra buck, but this su@ks! Airtran has had a reputation as being very friendly to jumpseaters, "If we got seats, we'll take you," said one Captain, but now it seems as if Airtran is going the same way as just about every other airline.

The whole point of this is, if we as pilots don't say anything to our bosses when they start pulling crapp like this, before we know it Jumpseating for free is going to be a thing of the past man, mark my words! Anyway, this isn't meant to beat up on you guys at all, I guess I'm just a little miffed at the tran man.

Thanks for the ride, and you're welcome on my plane anytime!!! (and of course it's free);)



Anyone else wanting to gripe about the current state of the jumpseat in this industry feel free, I'm always open to a good debate.
 
Let me ask a question, would you rather Airtran have a policy like Delta, where once the one jumpseat is occupied, there will be no more jumpseaters, period? Or would you rather them have a policy where they will take some extra jumpseaters for a minimal charge? Look at it like this, you are paying 25 bucks for a non rev seat, which isn't so bad. I don't like the idea of paying for a jumpseat either, but given the choice between Airtrans policy and Deltas, give me the Airtran policy any day. $25 is well worth it to get to work on time.
 
micheal707767,

I agree with you that something is better than nothing, and Airtran certainly beats Delta in the jumpseat department, heck no telling how many times I've seen a Delta rig pull out with open seats without me being in one of them! Delta seems as if they are anti-jumpseater, the gate agents that is not the pilots. The point that I'm trying to make is that if nothing is said by us to managment when policies such as this are put into effect, that it is going to become more and more previlent. Commuting is bad enough as it is and this is just another nail in the coffin for the guy having to travel to get to work. The only way that we as pilots are going to be able to protect this privilage is by saying something about it instead of sitting back and watch it slowly eroded by management. The people in management that make these policies don't have to commute to work like us pilots, so do you think they really give a rip??? Heck no, but when their own pilots start coming to them and giving them heat about how this new policy hurts themselves when they are trying to commute on other airlines maybe somebody will think differently. Look how Delta pilots used to get treated when they would try to jumpseat on another airline.......
 
I am a Airtran 717 driver. First let me say thanks for the compliment about our employees it is always nice to hear. Next lets address the jumpseat issue. Most of the majors(as well as some of the regionals) have a policy 1 and only 1 jumpseater. We will still take as many people as we have open seats, which is more than some other airlines will do. Look at it this way, for the price of a rounds of beers you get to get home or to work. I myself have actually sat in the flight attendant jumpseat so a off-liner can get home. (full boat) 99% of the people at airtran will do what ever they can to get you on board. Does the 25 dollar thing stink, I think so but we don't make the policy. Our policy is still pretty liberal (I think). Good luck getting home or to work and hopefully someday the flightdeck j/s will open up again to releave some of these problems.
 
$$ jumseat $$$

First off let me say Airtran has a great bunch of pilots, I jumped on 'em 90% of the time when I was employeed and never had any sort of problem.

But, if the Airtran guys sit back and let management charge the jumpseaters $25 a leg, (which is $100 round trip, cause of the stop in ATL) other airlines are going to follow. You see Airtran is setting the standard, and that must be broken NOW before all the other guys follow in their foot steps. Before you know the Airtran guys are going to have to pay AA, DAL, NWA and so on just to travel to and from work.

It is not Airtan pilots at fault here, it is their management. It's almost like the PFT thing; one airline started it, and the next thing you know others folllow. Trust me, it's all about the mighty $$$$$.

that $100 adds up quick too! A lot of regional guys are making crappy wages and to pay $25 plus a $2.50 security fee per leg, really hurts the pocket book.




my .02

72Longhorn
 
Interesting meeting at LGA

First, a big THANKS to my AirTran bretheren for all of the rides I've received.

I too have traveled with AirTran frequently and find their pilots, flight attendants and res. agents to be some of the most friendly and courteous in the industry. They have never failed to treat me with respect and have tried to get me on their jet every time I've traveled. I appreciate that.

Yes, I too think that a $25 non-rev seat is better than no option at all. I just wish the old approach was still around.

As far as I know. we at JB are going to continue our policy of unlimited jumpseating for pilots and flight attendants alike. Our VP for Ops has mentioned it in terms of the Golden Rule--I only wish that others in the industry would think of it in a similar light.

I've heard that the pilots have filed a grievance over the issue. Here's a point of interest, however.

Traveling back home through LGA a couple of months ago, a fellow introduced himself at the AirTran gate as AT's jumpseat coordinator. Sorry, but I don't remember his name. He asked if I had to buy my ticket (I hadn't) and he was pleased. But, he said, the company had asked him if they ought to charge for additional seats above and beyond the normal seats allowed for a pilot and a flight attendant. He said that yes, that AirTran ought to charge because "it was good for the company" and he "didn't mind paying to get to work." He said that the company was probably going to implement this as a new policy. I didn't have time to get into a discussion about it--it wouldn't have made a difference anyway.

Hey, if that's the rationale, I'll deal with it. Again, I'd rather get to work than not get to work. I simply wish we as an industry would become more, rather than less, flexible with the jumpseating issue.

You guys are welcome to fly with us anytime, anywhere we can work it.
 
The first jumpseat is free. We (AT pilots) are asking our pilots to non-rev in order to free up the one free seat for any offline jumpers that might show up. Only jumpers after the first one are required to pay. And yes, we AT pilots are trying to get the policy changed.
 
A shout out to the Airtran boys

XGmaninGa, jackofdiamonds, and any other Airtran pilots.

Just to clearify, starting this thread was in no way meant to rip on the Tran or it's pilot's, heck I want to work there so bad I can't stand it. I just want everyone to realize what goes around comes around and if we as pilots set back and watch these things happen then we will all suffer in the long run.

Maybe I'll get lucky and Airtran might have a soft spot in their for a lowly Beech driver like me and I'll get to join the team, but until then I'll drag my bag down concourse C everyweek and be thankful that I can get a ride on Airtran 99% on the time. Thanks guys.........

:)
 
He said that yes, that AirTran ought to charge because "it was good for the company" and he "didn't mind paying to get to work."


Are you saying that the AirTran Jumpseat Coordinator thinks that this policy is good??? If this is true, he is going to have a lot of his fellow pilots very very mad at him. Not to mention all the other Jumpseat Coordinators in the industry.

I seriously doubt that a Jumpseat Coordinator would encourage a policy like this. Say it ain't so!
 
I don't think that the comment about our Jumpseat coordinator is all that accurate. He, along with the rest of us, is trying to change the JS policy back to the way it was in the past (i.e. unlimited for free). I think the rationalle was the option of a $25 charge for walk-up non rev's (after JS #1) -- or -- go to a Delta style JS of letting one JS on and leaving the others stranded.

Are we actively trying to change the policy?...yes.

Is it going to take time?....yes again.

All I can say is hang in there and thanks for your patience.

It's not the highlight of my trip to know that you paid $25 to ride in the back of my airplane, but its a heck of a lot better than watching you look back at us pushing away from the jetway.
 
First let me say that like the other posters I have nothing against airtran guys this isn't your doing. It sinks that its happening too you and it won't be long before it catches on somewhere else. The airlines are looking everywhere for $$. Read the papers they are charging for every little service on top of the ticket fare to make more cash, this is getting out of hand.

My suggestion would be to Airtran guys too hound and hound and hound management until they take it away ( and I'm sure you are) and if your are asked to pay just kindly say thanks but no thanks and use your alternate way to get to work or whatever.

Just like being limited to one JSer this policy was created by someone who isn't a pilot. Remember its our aircraft, we sign for it, we a responsible for it, we should say who rides and where and how - not some management dork who dosent know the front from the back of an airplane.
 
Again, friends, my post is not a slam on AirTran or the fine folks that work there.

As for my previous comments concerning the jumpseat coordinator, I stand by them. He had an AirTran ID and identified himself as the jumpseat coordinator. His words, in quotations within the earlier post, are verbatim. If he misrepresented himself, I am none the wiser. If someone wants to PM me and tell me the jumpseat coordinator's name to see if it dusts the cobwebs off my brain, go for it. No big deal.

But them's small beans in the big scheme of things....

The big point is that at least we are still able to fly non-rev on an ordinarily off-limits flight, and I appreciate that flexibility. Thanks again, AirTran. And come fly with us at B6 anytime.
 
I paid 10 bucks yesterday to ride on my own airline. I signed up for the jumpseat on a CAL flight. 10 minutes to go a CAL guy came and bumped me out. No big deal(even though he was kind of a prick about it) So I had to go buy a ticket for ten bucks. Gordons working together plan.
 
First the feds yanked off-line jumpseaters out of the cockpit. Next, FedEx/UPS/DHL can't reciprocate. Now this. Looks like that slippery slope is starting to tilt pretty steeply. I wouldn't be looking for any improvment anytime soon. In fact I predict it will get worse. Glad I don't commute anymore.
 
"Pilots having to pay to jumpseat.

Other pilots justifying this as ok.

Sad state of affairs."

Pilots are not paying for jumpseats! Pilots are given the opportunity to buy a non-rev ticket if the "jumpseat" is taken.
 
Why not force the company to model the jumpseat policy after Hawaiian Airlines? Sort of like USAirways is doing after the first of the year.. EVERY seat in the airplane is considered a jumpseat - FREE to ALL Part 121 pilots.. Isn't that what the jumpseat privileges were intended to be?

All this other $25 b.s. is just an excuse...
 
Like I said, if asked to pay, say thanks but nothanks and walk away. Done end of story.
Click to expand...

Ok...does that mean you just don't go to work?

Nope, I'm not happy about AirTran's new policy. But do you think that by saying "no thanks" you will force them to change their policy?

And yep, I will always have an alternate way to work--unfortunately, that alternate plan also means I have to drive 35 miles to another airport with more flights. I'll weigh my options and take the best course of action.

And despite the new policy, at least there is a seat available if I feel like paying.
 
Yes Viking you are correct. Have a lollipop. :)

But that was not my point. Pilots should be able to jumpseat for free. If there is an open seat and you are trying to get to work then you get to occupy it. Any open seat is a jumpseat.

Don't rename it, and then charge for it, and pretend everything is ok. Let managment do that.

Not lecturing anyone, I think we all agree.





:cool:
 
Had jumpseat coordinator on jump seat another day...He's very upset about this policy and the union is actively fighting to change it.
 
The "jumpseat" at AirTran is free. Period. We allow one jumpseater just like the majority of other carriers out there. The difference is that as a 121/135 pilot you can on-the-spot non rev for $25.00 - if the jumpseat is taken. This is the way management wants it. Do we like it? NO! But we are doing what we can as a union to go back to the open cabin policy, but until then our policy is still better than 90% of the airlines out there. I do not believe that any non AirTran pilot has the right to say that this is "unfair". Bad timing? .. YES. Bad PR for commuters?.. YES Unfair?... NO.

As a commuter I sympathize, and throughout my career I have commuted to domiciles all over the country, and still commute to this day. I have been left behind while an empty airplane pulled away from the gate many times. This is/was during a period when I worked for carriers that allowed all the jumpseaters we could take. I certainly NEVER ever blamed the pilots for "justifying" it, or got on a message board even remotely implying that it was BS, after all WE took unlimited jumpseaters. Its not fair?! So what?! It is/was part of the "commuter blues", and I deal/dealt with it. Management ultimately decides who gets on their airplanes for free.... period.

Our union is working on this, and hopefully we will go back to a open cabin someday, until then, I will ALWAYS non-rev and leave the jumpseat to offline pilots. I will even sit on the Flight Attendant seat if it gets you a seat onboard and off to work.
 
You guys are getting a little ridiculous, or more like spoiled rotten kids. There has always only been one jumpseat, maybe 2 on Airbus's and some 737's. That goes for CAL, DAL, UAL,ATA, and all the other airlines. AirTran for a while comes up with a policy that they will allow multiple jumpseats-unheard of as management policy(I know at CAL they let us slip on but that was the captain going above and beyond). Now when the jumpseaters exceed the amount of pax(I know we fly Airtran routes once in awhile and I sign jumpseat passes for five minutes)management decides to charge a nominal fee. Yes I am for it because I saw the system being abused, very badly. I feel bad that the Airtran guys have to pay as 80% of them commute. For an off-line guy to complain-YOU ARE WAY OUT OF LINE.
 
TurboS7:

Just to clarify... AirTran pilots do NOT have to pay at all, regardless if the jumpseat is taken or not. We can all non-rev at no cost. You may know that, but the end of your post seems to indicate otherwise. You may be referring to something else, and if I misunderstood, my apologies.

Thanks..
 
While $25 may be more than one had to pay before, it certainly isn't unfair. It is much cheaper than most ID90's. I have never jumped on Airtran but have heard good things from those who have. IMHO be grateful to a ride to work. Delta pilots couldn't even jumpseat on their OWN JETS until Contract 96. Any jump seat to work is a good one in my opinion. $25 seems a small price to pay to make sign in.
 
My problem with a "jumpseat fee" is that it sets a dangerous precedent for ALL airlines. Now that the airlines are in the big time financial slump, it wouldn't surprise me if they started charging for jumpseat regardless whether you are #1 or #10 guy showing up. It starts with AirTran charging #2 on down $25. Then hypothetically Airline B starts losing money, and as a cost-cutting measure, they institute the fee for ACM's among others. Then it snowballs to Airline C, which modifies it, and sets the fee for ALL jumpseaters... this thing has a snowball potential effect, and has to be stopped.
 
I understand your point... but I have to respond this way. They CAN stop charging for jumpseat #2 on down like you suggest. The answer is the way MOST airlines currently do it - only 1 jumpseat period! Then you have to pay FULL walk-up fare, use a ID90 (IF you happen to have one in hand) or wait for the next flight. All these options involve time and money. If all airlines would let me ON-THE-SPOT non-rev if the jumpseat was already taken, at least that is better than the three options I mentioned.

Our new policy is not good like before, but still BETTER than most carriers out there. I don't know what else to say. I still say that all non-AirTran pilots really have no right to complain about this policy. We (AirTran pilots) are trying to change this back. In the meantime, get to the gate early, sign up for the free jumpseat, and if its taken and you HAVE to get where your going, non rev for $25.00. Period
 
Thank you FL717. Let me agree with others, that I understand the "non-rev" charge for the extra seat. Much better than my own Airline or most others, of only one seat period.
 
First let me say thanks MUCHO to ALL the SWA employees!!
I'm deeply greatful and endebted to all of you.

Secondly, as you may be able to tell I am a commuter and I fly SWA on a weekly basis, sometimes two roundtrips per week. All the responses obove are reasonable and perhaps fair due to slump our airlines find themselves in. However, lets not forget that WE the pilot group are also a most important resource to our employers and count on us to be timely and proffesional about our everyday duties. Lets also not forget that most of us especially now at days, do not and possibly will not see very large paychecks due to the reasons metioned. Why you ask? Well for staters many of us will not see captain even at a commuter due to people not leaving and on and on and on......

How is all this relevant? Well you guessed it, pure economics. When you're making 18 thousand a year with no end in sight, it becomes very difficult for us to pay ANY amount for a jumpseat, no matter how fair that might be.

This is in no way, shape or form blaming the great group of employees at Airtran. It is merely a statement from someone who will be deeply affected if all the other ailines follow, including my own! It is my understanding that SWA and AT are argueably two of the most cummuter friendly airlines and frankly, I'm kind of saddened by the new rule.:(

Just my .02
 

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