Question for AA, DL, CO & UA Pilots

[khsgt]

Disclaimer: Not flame bait, just want honest opinions.

Guys and Gals,

I have recently been denied j/s for a third time on Delta due to their "one or two" jumpseaters policy. It is frustrating to watch a half empty plane leave as my last ride home of the night because of this policy. As a regional captain (b1900), I have never given any jumpseater any trouble, and some days I have more jumpseaters then passengers. After my experiences with the legacy carriers and this policy, I am inclined to extend the same courtesy to these pilots that they has been shown me (one jumpseater from these carriers). I really hate to do this seeing as how sometimes I am the only game intown to get to the podunk airports that we fly into. What are your thoughts and feelings concerning this. How can a lowly beech driver attempt to change thoughts and attitudes without pissing anybody off. I do not see how any Mainline policy is going to change without the pilots wanting it to change...and apparently they don't so far. Thoughts, Comments, Suggestions on how to deal with this in the most politically correct manner?

Greasy Side Down!

 

[Dizel8]

Yeah, how about it guys and girls! Sure would make a huge difference for all of us who offline commute. Having the j/s denied with 50 open seats in the back kind of blows. If not free, then at least do like a few carriers and charge a nominal fee like 10-20 bucks, sure beats siting around the airport for another hour or three.

 

[Steve 737]

I've had the same thing happen to me numerous times over the last 20 years or so. I always had ID90's on hand for several different carriers. It seems a waste to pay with open seats but it beats spending another night away from home.

 

[bafanguy]

OK Guys,


Let me tell you about the DL policy: If a DL capt denies you a JS because there are more JS riders waiting than the number of jumpseats installed at the factory, HE IS NOT GIVING YOU "...ANY TROUBLE". This is a corporate policy over which the capt has no control. He CANNOT allow you to ride even though, I can assure, he would gladly let you onboard if he had his way.

The posts seem to indicate you feel he is just being an a$$. Getting JS's on a DL flight, procedurally, goes through a gate agent who would RUN, not walk, to the nearest phone to report any capt who decided to circumvent the policy and let an "extra" JS onboard outside the official policy.

Line pilots do not set policy ( I bet they don't at YOUR airline either ). So, what would you suggest a DL capt do under these circumstances ? This policy is not the way DL guys would like to see it and they realize they cannot do as much for YOU as you can do for them. Now what ??

 

[CaptSteve]

Since the company sets the jumpseat policy and mgt is asking for a heck of a lot of money from the pilots at majors, what would be the possibilty of asking for multiple jumpseat? Meaning they want money from you and obviously you are going to want something in return. Not that a reduction in pay is going to hinge on a multiple jumpseat policy. Maybe something to look at? Just a question.

Steve

 

[T-Bags]

I'm all for unlimited jumpseats, but I've had to say no to an extra jumpseater just about as many times as I've been booted of Barbies Dream Jet for weight restrictions. Cuts both ways...

 

[bafanguy]

I wouldn't hold my breath until JS policy was on the front burner at Delta Airlines under the current circumstances...but, I've been surprised before...

 

[Dizel8]

Bafanguy,

No one is jumping your shat, we all know, that those decisions are made way above our paygrade and all a guy can do, is adhere to policy or face the music. I hope we all understand that, I know I sure do.

However, considering what DL is trying to extract from the pilots, this could well be an "oh, BTW" item. The practical cost of doing this is minimal and it would certainly make a lot of people lives better.

U pilots got that out of the bargaining deal, perhaps the DL pilots could as well.

We pilots are, according to most, a dime a dozen, no reason, why we should not try to help each other out in the ways we can, QOL and all.

 

[bafanguy]

dz8,


Absolutely...would if they could...don't hold your breath...the JS has been an ongoing pi$$ing contest with the suits for the 30 years I was there. Current events aren't likely to improve things re the JS...

 

[Dizel8]

Bafanguy,

Stranger things have happened, although not lately

P.S. Who did you fly the Coronado for?

 

[skiddriver]

I jumpseat on Delta flights regularly, and am warmly welcomed by both the flight and cabin crews. If the Delta regs allowed the Captains to take more jumpseaters they would. I'm glad that our company has allowed us to exceed the installed jumpseat limit, but the fact that Delta won't is in no way the fault of the line pilots.

 

[Dizel8]

Bafanguy,

Is this you driving?

http://www.williamdemarest.com/images/CV880/CV8-9.jpg

 

[General Lee]

Yeah, our policy stinks. Remember, if the plane has more than one jumpseat in the cockpit (764, 777, 767ER--even some domestic flights on the 767--be sure to ask) two pilots can go--as long as there are two seats open in the back for non-Delta or DCI pilots. If there is a Delta guy scheduled for the jumpseat and there are seats open in the back---find out who it is and ask them nicely if they could use a pass--which is free for them. If they don't want to, then they are jerks.

I would love to see unlimited jumpseats, and there is a chance we could eventually see them---after a huge pay cut....

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[saltyswede]

The pilot's at AA DL CO and UA need and should make this a priority they are the ones that are now commuting with all the base realignments going on. They need to push for this.

 

[rvsm410]

Dl jumpseating by ASA and Comair

Does this policy apply to the ASA and Comair pilots and dispatchers as well? Or t this on for non DL crews and ADX? Just trying to get a clearer picture.

Col. Bill

 

[Dizel8]

"I would love to see unlimited jumpseats, and there is a chance we could eventually see them---after a huge pay cut...."

While I am sorry you will take a paycut, since that will affect all of us, but if you are to take that cut, you might as well get something out of it. If unlimited j/s is one item the DL pilots think they can obtain, without sacrificing other issues, then I would certainly think, that all us OAL people would be grateful. Not that it pays the bills, however, perhaps AA and UAL will follow, which would make it easier for all of us.

 

[Chairman]

Well don't forget the time years ago when Delta would allow no one except company people but every one else allowed DELTA to JS taking the high road.....................................

 

[Relic01]

I'm based at Denver and live in Philadelphia. United guys have been more than accomodating so far. I have never been turned away from a flight that had seats. They always found a way to get me on. Funny thing is once we had three jumpseaters. It was the captains call and he made it. I felt honored to be on his flight as he was courteous and respectful to a 1900D FO. US Airways has also been one of my favorites to js on. I have not tried js'ing on delta and i look forward to doing so internationally this fall. Hopefully, I don't have any problems.

 

[Vortilon]

You have it a bit wrong there...Delta wouldn't even allow OUR OWN pilots to ride JS back then. It was reserved for official FAA/Line Check duties only. It was based on a corporate philosophy that thankfully was changed.

The system we have though is great if you are a DAL pilot in that you can reserve the jumpseat...almost like positive space. As long as the computer lets you have it, the captain approves, and the flight runs you are set.

As an RJ Captain I enjoyed being able to help out multiple jumpseaters and it'd be great if we were able to at DAL but it probably isn't on the radar screen right now now. Who knows...maybe some day. I look forward to the day when that becomes a "hot item" for negotiations!

On a side note, I'm sorry to hear you get bumped a lot but you shouldn't treat your own jumpseat as a tool to enforce your views of the world. (That's what you're supposed to use your FO for!)

 

[khsgt]

Well don't forget the time years ago when Delta would allow no one except company people but every one else allowed DELTA to JS taking the high road.....................................

Maybe the reason that the Delta pilot group has not had the motivation to truly try to get unlimited jumpseating is they have not felt the ramifications of their own company's policy. Maybe if they had to live by their own policy things might begin to change......

On a side note: To the Delta guys, let me express my true sympathy to the pay cuts that appear to be coming down the pipe. Those are going to be tough and bad for you, and bad for this profession. Good luck with it, I wish you the best!