Suggestion from a pilot...

[Midnight Flyer]

The EMB-110 was the same way.

 

[WayBack]

I guess you get upset if people don't wave or say HELLO in the terminal, too?
I don't see how this really bothers anyone. Like PipeJockey, I'm all for being left alone. I really don't care who you are or who you fly for. Just sit down.
If you're in a pilots uniform, I'm sure the FA could figure out you're a pilot....I'd atleast hope she could.

 

[Cardinal]

It matters. The whole basis upon which the JS program has been sold is safety. How can a JS'er be a resource if the crew has no idea they're back there. Secondly it's a PIC perrogative, and he can't make that judgement if he never sees a soul. There's been a few illegal jumpseaters lately, you want them on your airplane? Lastly, a little respect; If I pick up a hitchhiker I darn well expect a little interaction and a personal thank you, even if it would have morally wrong to deny them a ride. (due to wx, heat whatever). Just because a "welcome aboard" can be expected should in no way cheapen the process.

What I can't figure out is why so many FAs are so bad at jumpseating. There is no workgroup in the world with a more upclose, day-to-day view of how the etiquette goes. Then they try it themselves and act like total clods. It befuddles me. Even when we are so fortunate to be acknowledged by the offline FA, usually it's a "I'm in the back." Well let it be written, let it be done, Moses. Or "I guess I have to show you this" in the valley girl accent, doing the badge thrust without bothering to remove it from the lanyard.

Then when ya call 'em on not dropping by the cockpit there's always a fascinating excuse: "I forgot," "What do you mean stop by?" "I had a long day," and my presonal favorite "you looked busy." Never in the history of airline aviation has a working flight attendant looked in the cockpit during the preflight phase and thought "they're too busy to....adjust the temperature, call for catering, call for cleaners, readjust the temperature, run for a gate check tag, run for a burger, yell at the agent, work a seat dupe, check on a dog, etc, etc" Middle of a brief, middle of a checklist, no FA has ever been stopped by such trivial obstacles. Yet suddenly as a jumpseater they become as demure as a young fawn, the cockpit is a busy and frantic place, and we certainly wouldn't want to interrupt such important goings on. W. T. F. The whole point of the preflight phase is the gathering and concentration of information peratining to the flight, of which Additional Crew Members (fascinating term) are a key part.

Paint By Numbers: "Hi I'm Suzie with AirCal and I'm looking for a ride home" Extend hand, prepare for handshake. Repeat as necessary until you find the captain, then repeat once more. Present Identification. Captain will say "Suzie Welcome Aboard!" Respond with "Oh, thank you guys so much" and this and future rides will be assured. Is it really like pulling teeth? Does it kill you to ask in a respectful fashion? Surely not. The preceding approach is guaranteed not to piss anybody off, and didn't even require a bribe.

Disclaimer: I have nothing against FAs, I like them very much, but this is my pet peeve. Obviously.

 

[Grey Ghost]

Hi FA's, Im a Captain with a 121 airline and it would be nice that if FA's are jumpseating (even if its cabin only), to say hi to one of the crew members when they come onboard. You are crewmembers just like pilots - show ID, and jumpseat form to one of the crew members when you come on board as a courtesy for traveling for free (or nearly free). There is an airline out there (cough AA cough) where their airline training doesn't state this to them and they just casually stroll on board and have a seat. Pilots notice this and do not appreciate it.

However, I'm not saying all FA's do this - just from my experience, I have seen this happen on multiple flights.

Get a Life!!! Its not 1960 anymore! Nobody cares anymore!!! do you like the bull******************** small talk???

 

[Grey Ghost]

It matters. The whole basis upon which the JS program has been sold is safety. How can a JS'er be a resource if the crew has no idea they're back there. Secondly it's a PIC perrogative, and he can't make that judgement if he never sees a soul. There's been a few illegal jumpseaters lately, you want them on your airplane? Lastly, a little respect; If I pick up a hitchhiker I darn well expect a little interaction and a personal thank you, even if it would have morally wrong to deny them a ride. (due to wx, heat whatever). Just because a "welcome aboard" can be expected should in no way cheapen the process.

What I can't figure out is why so many FAs are so bad at jumpseating. There is no workgroup in the world with a more upclose, day-to-day view of how the etiquette goes. Then they try it themselves and act like total clods. It befuddles me. Even when we are so fortunate to be acknowledged by the offline FA, usually it's a "I'm in the back." Well let it be written, let it be done, Moses. Or "I guess I have to show you this" in the valley girl accent, doing the badge thrust without bothering to remove it from the lanyard.

Then when ya call 'em on not dropping by the cockpit there's always a fascinating excuse: "I forgot," "What do you mean stop by?" "I had a long day," and my presonal favorite "you looked busy." Never in the history of airline aviation has a working flight attendant looked in the cockpit during the preflight phase and thought "they're too busy to....adjust the temperature, call for catering, call for cleaners, readjust the temperature, run for a gate check tag, run for a burger, yell at the agent, work a seat dupe, check on a dog, etc, etc" Middle of a brief, middle of a checklist, no FA has ever been stopped by such trivial obstacles. Yet suddenly as a jumpseater they become as demure as a young fawn, the cockpit is a busy and frantic place, and we certainly wouldn't want to interrupt such important goings on. W. T. F. The whole point of the preflight phase is the gathering and concentration of information peratining to the flight, of which Additional Crew Members (fascinating term) are a key part.

Paint By Numbers: "Hi I'm Suzie with AirCal and I'm looking for a ride home" Extend hand, prepare for handshake. Repeat as necessary until you find the captain, then repeat once more. Present Identification. Captain will say "Suzie Welcome Aboard!" Respond with "Oh, thank you guys so much" and this and future rides will be assured. Is it really like pulling teeth? Does it kill you to ask in a respectful fashion? Surely not. The preceding approach is guaranteed not to piss anybody off, and didn't even require a bribe.

Disclaimer: I have nothing against FAs, I like them very much, but this is my pet peeve. Obviously.

Get a life and join a dating service if you need someone to talk to...

 

[Cardinal]

As there are no airline A/C in your profile, I am discounting your opinion in it's entirety. I won't lecture you on what to tip a line guy, or how to flirt with CSRs. You must be bored silly.

 

[Amish RakeFight]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought F/A's can non-rev, but not jumpseat. (as in cockpit, under FAR authority)

However, it is always polite to say hi to the crew in any case.

Some FA's like to sit in the cock pit.

 

[b707guy]

...and my presonal favorite "you looked busy." Never in the history of airline aviation has a working flight attendant looked in the cockpit during the preflight phase and thought "they're too busy to....adjust the temperature, call for catering, call for cleaners, readjust the temperature, run for a gate check tag, run for a burger, yell at the agent, work a seat dupe, check on a dog, etc, etc" Middle of a brief, middle of a checklist, no FA has ever been stopped by such trivial obstacles. Yet suddenly as a jumpseater they become as demure as a young fawn, the cockpit is a busy and frantic place,...

:beer:

 

[yawdamp]

Our FA's know who and where. (If I need to know, I'll pick up the phone.) Introductions required by all FFDO's, FBI, CIA, Mail Post Inspectors, etc carrying artillary - I want to know who's got my back. Otherwise, sit down... If your a pilot, sit down in a big-'in seat and have a round on us. (cheers)

It kills me that I've lowered my morals enough to post on a FA forum thread. Thanks for sucking me in guys...

 

[dapilot]

Crew members that fly for free (filling out the jumpseat form) on other airlines without a simple "hi" or "hello", if not a former introduction to the captain or flight attendant, should be banned from jumpseating, period. If you can't show a little respect and courtesy flying on another air carrier, then you have no right to fly as a jumpseater and your name should be known to the air carriers.