Unlimited Jumpseaters on Delta?

[180ToTheMarker]

Any word on the CASS system to allow off-line guys? DALPA should go for that as well.

 

[InclusiveScope]

Last flight out of LGA to ATL tonight on a 767 with 179 empty seats and only one of the offline jumpseaters taken.

Capn Mike

179 empty seats and the General still thinks we need larger aircraft on these routes? Amazing! If this keeps up, unlimited jumpseats will be the least of our problems.

 

[michael707767]

179 empty seats and the General still thinks we need larger aircraft on these routes? Amazing! If this keeps up, unlimited jumpseats will be the least of our problems.

If its that empty everytime, then yes there is a problem. I fly LGA-ATL a lot, and that is very, very rare. But I suppose RJs never have the occasional flight that is mostly empty.

 

[spanky2]

Inclusive,
Yes, big jets sometimes have a bunch of empty seats...especially the late night ones. That 767 would fly from LGA to ATL even if it was empty...repositioning for the next day. But you knew that, right?

Look at the traffic jams at ORD (and LGA) if you want to make conclusions about big jets vs small jets.

 

[InclusiveScope]

If its that empty everytime, then yes there is a problem. I fly LGA-ATL a lot, and that is very, very rare. But I suppose RJs never have the occasional flight that is mostly empty.

The next 10 767 flights between ATL and LGA have an average of 81 empty seats. The 3 highest numbers of empty seats for 767 flights in the next two days are 148, 115, and 97. Combine this with the low fares that are being to charged to fill these seats and you might see the problem. I now return you to your regular programing....resume putting your head in the sand.

 

[P38JLightning]

knee jerk jumpseaters

>>>I intervened in that case, asked our online pilot to non rev in back and got the offline pilot on the jumpseat


Why is it Delta guys automaticaly sign up for the jumpseat even when there are dozens (or in some cases hundreds) of open seats in the back? No big deal for Comair or ASA pilots, since we have the pass card, but don't you realize that totaly screws lots of offline jumpseaters, many of which offer Delta pilots their unlimited jumpseats?

Come on guys, this isn't 1990 when you only got 6 free passes a year (or 8, whatever) you have unlimited pass benifits but only ONE (OK in rare cases two, IF the gate agent is willing to do it, which is not too often) jumpseats per flight. Hogging it for no other reason than you are too lazy to spend 2 minutes on a phone or 30 seconds online or a minute with a gate agent checking loads is pretty selfish.

You only offer one jumpseat per flight. At least let an offline pilot use it.

 

[sweptback]

Why is it Delta guys automaticaly sign up for the jumpseat even when there are dozens (or in some cases hundreds) of open seats in the back? No big deal for Comair or ASA pilots, since we have the pass card, but don't you realize that totaly screws lots of offline jumpseaters, many of which offer Delta pilots their unlimited jumpseats?

I was just going to ask the same question, but I see you beat me to it. I agree, it makes no sense. I have seen it a lot on the ATL-DFW flight, where you see about 5 Delta guys go try to check in for the jumpseat, just to be told that "the guy over there" got it checked in first. And yes, I did make the flight using a S3, so there were obviously seats available in the back.

As I understand on AA (somebody could probably back me up on this that is more familiar), an AA or Eagle pilot can't jumpseat unless every seat in the back is filled. That helps offline jumpseaters because you don't get freaked out about missing the flight every time some uniformed AA pilot steps up to the gate agent.

 

[8vATE]

Hey, I think I saw in the Dalpa concession sheet that we wanted unlimited "flow back" for jumpseats---so maybe, just maybe----we might get unlimited jumpseats----for only 30% or more in pay cuts....


Bye Bye--General Lee

PLEASE don't negotiate multiple jumpseats for offline pilots, General....
I wouldn't want to be responsible for YOU taking a pay cut.... even if its
an additional 1/16 of a percent...

All the carriers out there offering multiple jumpseats to offliners just need to tell the Delta guys/gals... "sorry, we already have one"..

That's what a "reciprocal" agreement means...
We'll take only one if you only take one....

Suck it up General!!

 

[blusideup]

Why is it Delta guys automaticaly sign up for the jumpseat even when there are dozens (or in some cases hundreds) of open seats in the back? No big deal for Comair or ASA pilots, since we have the pass card, but don't you realize that totaly screws lots of offline jumpseaters, many of which offer Delta pilots their unlimited jumpseats?

Come on guys, this isn't 1990 when you only got 6 free passes a year (or 8, whatever) you have unlimited pass benifits but only ONE (OK in rare cases two, IF the gate agent is willing to do it, which is not too often) jumpseats per flight. Hogging it for no other reason than you are too lazy to spend 2 minutes on a phone or 30 seconds online or a minute with a gate agent checking loads is pretty selfish.

You only offer one jumpseat per flight. At least let an offline pilot use it.[/QUOTE]



You need to understand that it has absolutely nothing to do with 'hogging' or 'being lazy'. It has everything to do with a commuting pilot properly planning his/her trip to/from work. The jumpseat reservation ASSURES the pilot will have a seat on that flight regardless of what the back looks like. I can almost guarantee that most Delta guys would be more than happy to let you have the jumpseat if there are available seats in the back. If you're a commuter then you would know that checking loads and the accuracy of those numbers don't hold much truth.

The next time you attempt to check in for a Delta jumpseat and it's taken ask the agent if the JS is taken by a Delta pilot. Scope him/her out, walk over, introduce yourself, and 'splain the situation. You just may surprise yourself....

 

[General Lee]

Inclusivescope,


"179 empty seats and the General still thinks we need larger planes!"


Really smart comment! (genius caliber) The poster said it was the last flight out of LGA for the night--probably a position flight. I just got off a long 4 day and we were mostly full on every flight--even Song.

If I were that jumpseater---I would have found the guy filed for the Delta jump and would have asked him if he could non-rev---which I AM SURE he would have.


I think management was miffed that we asked for unlimted jumpseats, and to counter that--they said they wanted to possibly take some away. The end result will probably be status quo---and there isn't much we can do about it at the moment---we don't have much leverage. Hopefully people can understand that and not make comments like "Red" is doing over at Jetblue---"They better keep um or else!"



Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[N8Dogg]

Gate agents can be real pricks. I have witnessed that myself, picking up the paperwork and watching as an agent happily tells some pilot the jumpeat is already taken. I intervened in that case, asked our online pilot to non rev in back and got the offline pilot on the jumpseat, which seemed to piss off the agent. Have to say I enjoyed pissing off that agent.

I would not bet on Delta getting more jumpseat access though. Management is actually asking for the opposite, they want to get rid of the jumpseat for offline pilots, or something to that effect.

I am starting to wonder if being completely unprofessional is a requirement to be a Delta gate agent. News flash!! Just because you are having a bad day doesn't give you the right to be a total b@#ch! I'm just trying to get to work. For the record my cockpit doors are always open to my fellow pilots.

 

[mach zero]

From blusideup:The next time you attempt to check in for a Delta jumpseat and it's taken ask the agent if the JS is taken by a Delta pilot. Scope him/her out, walk over, introduce yourself, and 'splain the situation. You just may surprise yourself....

...or better yet avoid taking DAL in the first place. I'd rather pay Airtran the 30 bucks to be JS #2 than anxiously sit around a DL gate "scoping" out the non-rev DL pilots to ask them to ride a pass.

 

[P38JLightning]

no cigar

>>>>You need to understand that it has absolutely nothing to do with 'hogging' or 'being lazy'. It has everything to do with a commuting pilot properly planning his/her trip to/from work. The jumpseat reservation ASSURES the pilot will have a seat on that flight regardless of what the back looks like. I can almost guarantee that most Delta guys would be more than happy to let you have the jumpseat if there are available seats in the back. If you're a commuter then you would know that checking loads and the accuracy of those numbers don't hold much truth.


Bluesideup,

I understand what you're saying. That's not something unique to Delta in any way. Any pilot could use that arguement. The fact remains that every day tons of Delta flights leave the gate with empty seats available and stranded jumpseaters because a Delta pilot reflexively snagged the jumpseat out of habbit.

Sometimes its easy enough to see the Delta pilot in uniform sitting by the gate, or the commuter in civilian clothes who just happens to be wearing black pants with the purdy neat stuff bag. But quite often the pilot in question signed up for the jumpseat long ago and is chilling out in the crew lounge nowhere to be found. Even if you can sopt him 5 minutes prior as he strolls up to the gate, good luck getting an agent to deal with you at that time.

Guys, all you have to do is list for the flight with your pass card. Then about 30 minutes to an hour prior tell the agent you are listed, but want the jumpseat ONLY if there is another jumpseater or (of course) to help another non pilot non rev get on. You can't always find the Delta pilot, and you've got to realize that lots of jumpseaters are told to pound every day because its "already taken" even with 100 open seats in the back. Yes I know that loads can change, but if you're on the jumpseat its your responsibility to make sure you didn't screw an off liner just because you were too lazy to do the right thing.

 

[DonVerita]

From blusideup:...or better yet avoid taking DAL in the first place. I'd rather pay Airtran the 30 bucks to be JS #2 than anxiously sit around a DL gate "scoping" out the non-rev DL pilots to ask them to ride a pass.

Point of Clarification: It is $25, not $30 for the #2 jumpseater and all subsequent pilots trying to ride the jumpseat. This policy does not sit well with the AirTran pilots and it WILL be addressed in Contract 2005.

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

is the dork captains putting on extra fuel they don't need, seen it many times, clear and a million, adding 2000 extra lbs, thats over 10 people.

No no no..it is the tool captains that don't know how to manage fuel to get an extra 185 lbs on in the jumpseat. They think they are being professional.

I can make 185lbs of jet fuel dispapear real quick on jet....

The jumpseat is like Dubya's educational policy!!

No one gets left behind!!........

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

Was "victim of loads" just the other day with Independence Air from JFK to IAD. One seat left, one ACA pilot non-revving, and me in line for JS. Twist to the story was that the pilot and gate agent worked in harmony to get me on. Very professional, and much appreciated.Red

Whew.... I was hoping we did ok. Fellas, here is a couple things on Independence Air....

Since we are just starting up our brand, there are LOTS of seats available.
Gate agents are new to the system, so they maybe be fustrated trying to enter jumpseaters. If you are sitting in the cabin anyway, you can just fill out the paper copy. I can't imagine a IA pilot not wanting to get you on...find any of us and we'll help. We have an unlimited jumpseat policy.

Also, all of our agreements are intact. We are still operating under the same FAA Part 121 certificate and airline code of DH. In the appollo system is ODH (for offline).

Come one, come all.

 

[Capn Mike]

Point of Clarification: It is $25, not $30 for the #2 jumpseater and all subsequent pilots trying to ride the jumpseat. This policy does not sit well with the AirTran pilots and it WILL be addressed in Contract 2005.

Actually it is $28. I think they throw in an additional $3 for tax or a security fee. I have been charged that amount a couple of times. But still thankful to get onboard and home.

 

[FNG320]

Unlimited Jumpseaters on Delta? For who?

Just my $.02. While you guys are trying to get unlimited jumpseats for pilots, how about going all the way (sts) and ask for the same for offline flight attendants?

The airlines that allow flight attendants to jumpseat have also been hosting many pilots from Delta and others that don't allow offline flight attendants. Don't you think they deserve a break for taking care of you and the other pilots in the industry.

It is just a shame to see empty seats go unused, with pilots and flight attendants left sitting at the gate. It cost almost nothing to allow unlimited, just a little time by the gate agents to process the paperwork.

Again, just my $.02. Good luck.