Ups Jumpseat?

[Tatoosh65]

Was wondering if anyone knew if other 121 Pilots could jumpseat yet on UPS or any other Cargo carriers yet..
Thanks Tatoosh65

 

[cl-65link]

No.

 

[nightrider]

We have made a proposal to the FAA to reopen our jumpseats to offline jumpseaters but they have not taken any action yet.

 

[jimbo]

Heard DHL offers a jumpseat on selected runs in their Airbus. The JS is'nt in the cockpit supposedly. Dial 1800CALLDHL and get ahold of someone to get a phone line to the JS section in CVG.

 

[flybrowntails]

the union and the company are working on the issue.

 

[UPSFO]

Here's a letter from our union Jumpseat Coordinator. It's over a year old but emphasizes our predicament and desire to resolve the situation:

Dear fellow pilots,

The events of this past September have forever changed all of our lives in ways both large and small. One of the areas impacted has been the ability of the pilots at UPS and other express delivery carriers (FDX, ABX, DHL) to offer reciprocal jumpseats.

This was not a choice made by our companies or our pilot groups, but one made by the FAA and the many security directives issued in the past two months. We operate under part 108 of the Federal Air Regulations, just like the passenger airlines, and yet the regulatory burden imposed by that section creates something of a catch 22 for carriers such as ours. For example, we are all aware of the requirement for a reinforced cockpit door, but how do you handle that when your cockpit has no door to begin with? The other restrictions we are faced with are the ones that pertain to security screening and x-ray machines, and the problem with positively identifying offline pilots desiring a jumpseat.

This is what our companies are trying to deal with, but rest assured that they are dealing with them. Like so much else with the FAA, things do not move along a timetable that we dictate, and progress seems glacial, but it is being made.

In the meantime, we would like to ask for your patience, and we want you to know that the jumpseats that you have been extending to us have been deeply appreciated. We look forward to the time in the hopefully not too distant future that we will be able to welcome you back to our cockpits.

 

[sfomarc]

Do you think that management and pilots would put a little more pressure on the Gov if their pilots couldnt get to work. We know it is not your (cargo) doing but I think there needs to be a bigger fire lit under gov.

In the meantime we will still let you jumpseat to work at SWA.

 

[UPSFO]

About half our pilot group commutes and is dependent on your jumpseat. Our union has done some very aggressive lobbying in DC for the restoration of the cockpit jumpseat. They have developed a database they want the FAA to implement for jumpseat identification. My understanding is that the FAA is on board with the concept but THEY are very slow to accept it. Once this procedure is accepted, it will make life easier to jumpseat on all airlines, including cargo.

As a matter of principle, our pilot group feels the obligation to pursue this matter and every UPS pilot I've spoken with deeply regrets the fact that we are restricted from serving you. To answer your question, no, it won't accelerate the process of opening up our jumpseats. Have your union contact congress to accelerate the passage of "jumpseat friendly" legislation.

I appreciate the ride and the friendly welcome I receive from you folks at SWA as well as everyone else. I truly feel like my tail is between my legs when I ask for your jumpseat and I know that I can't reciprocate. I also appreciate the fact that none of you folks has put us on the spot for this predicament.

Thanks again for the many friendly rides!

 

[sfomarc]

UPSFO, I think most of us do understand your problem, I am just pissed because I need a ride to Europe and all PAX flights are full.

Good luck

 

[UPSFO]

SFOMarc:

I feel your pain! It'd be real nice to have you guys onboard to keep us awake during those long late night flights. Thanks again for your understanding.

I look forward to seeing you on my jumpseat real soon....UPSFO

 

[JayDub]

SFOMarc,

About half our pilot group commutes and is dependent on your jumpseat. Our union has done some very aggressive lobbying in DC for the restoration of the cockpit jumpseat. They have developed a database they want the FAA to implement for jumpseat identification. My understanding is that the FAA is on board with the concept but THEY are very slow to accept it. Once this procedure is accepted, it will make life easier to jumpseat on all airlines, including cargo.

As a matter of principle, our pilot group feels the obligation to pursue this matter and every UPS pilot I've spoken with deeply regrets the fact that we are restricted from serving you. To answer your question, no, it won't accelerate the process of opening up our jumpseats. Have your union contact congress to accelerate the passage of "jumpseat friendly" legislation.

I appreciate the ride and the friendly welcome I receive from you folks at SWA as well as everyone else. I truly feel like my tail is between my legs when I ask for your jumpseat and I know that I can't reciprocate. I also appreciate the fact that none of you folks has put us on the spot for this predicament.

Thanks again for the many friendly rides!

Marc,

I actually get to see our J/S coordinator a good bit. Here are a few nuggets from him:

There is a group out there called the Jump seat Action Committee (or something to that effect) that has been working beau coup over time on this issue. The players, in order of activity are, Continental (Jill Clark), UPS (I forget her name), SouthWest, America West, and somewhere in there is JetBlue as well. Believe me when I tell you they have been burning the midnight oil on this issue. It is now in the hands of the TSA, not the FAA. Actually, I am told there is a link on the ALPA web site that gives the latest briefing on this issue.

For international jump seats, there is only one place to look (as far as I am concerned) and that is Gemini Air Cargo. Dang good folks in that operation! Please PM me if you need to know their number. Best of luck.

JayDub

 

[sfomarc]

JayDub, thanks for the info. When I was stranded in Dublin last year with the Aer Lingus strike I came home Gemini. They were very helpful and the flight was not bad with the exception of my total journey time from Dublin to BWI was 24 hours.

I am not a commuter, just use jumpseat to move about the world freely. Hope this all gets resolved soon, but since TSA is involved I am sure it wont.

Cheers
Marc

 

[easy spirit]

Re: SFOMarc,

.......It is now in the hands of the TSA, not the FAA. Actually, I am told there is a link on the ALPA web site that gives the latest briefing on this issue............

I was just talking to a SWA Captain who seemed to be in the know about this matter. He said everything is just about in place, however the TSA WANTS ACCESS TO THE ACTUAL JUMPSEAT, and thats what's holding everything up. The whole thing might be squandered if they don't get it.

 

[vschip]

Easy, do you mean that they want to control who has the right to sit in the actual jumpseat(I'm sure all the captains out there would love that), or do they actually want access to the jumpseat, i.e. jumpseat privilages??

 

[Freight Dog]

It's the TSA that's dragging their sorry assets. Yeah, if you are an ALPA member, you can read a letter sent to Adm. Loy and Marion Blakey with CC sent to Mineta on ALPA website when you log in.

But then again, bear in mind, this is the same government office that's trying its best to torpedo the FFDO program. This is also the same government office that can instantly label you as a "security risk" and take your livelihood without due process. Can you REALISTICALLY expect them to approve this new program? I think NOT..

I think TSA needs to go under congressional microscope.

 

[easy spirit]

VSCHIP,

They want to be able to RIDE on the jumpseat is what this Capt was telling me.

Now who specifically whether it's just managers or down to the lowly screeners, I don't know but it's all totally unbelievable if you ask me.

They should never, ever, ever even be allowed.