CloudSailor

I completely agree with FedElta. Although I have never operated a 14+ hour flight, nor have I been on one of our 777's, I will go out on a limb to say that operating a "red-eye" 7 hour flight from ANC to the lower 48 (previous employer) with two jumpseaters and zero room to stretch out one's legs, and with no crew rest area, has given me a little perspective on the definition of "cramped". I did that flight more than a dozen times with 2 jumpers in a crammed cockpit, with flight bags (Jepps), barely enough room to slide the pilot's seats back, and with the need to do the flight-attendant-dance every time someone needed to use the head. Even though the conditions were so tight, we never left an off-line jumpseater behind. For someone to have even considered leaving an on-line company jumpseater behind would have been beyond belief, even mythical.

At least this 777 captain let the guy know he would be denied via email. Still, I would have done what our pilot did, and show up to try to jumpseat anyway, thinking "there is no way this captain won't let me jumpseat home". For someone else on this thread to suggest it's not a big deal and that the jumper could take the flight the day before or the day after, is almost as surprising. Most likely, these captains have never been commuters and therefore have a difficult time empathizing with someone who depends on the jumpseat program.

Sad, really. It's embarrassing to admit that this happens here at FDX to friends from other airlines. They cannot believe it.

ptarmigan

Have to agree. This thread almost makes me want to bid the 777 now just to ensure that there is another captain that will take as many as we have seats...

Overnitefr8

Cramped is flying a B52 with 10 crew members on board for 16.5 hrs. Helmets on for the pilots the entire time. I didn't fly any combat missions, but I'm sure those were even longer.

Adlerdriver

I flew more double-crew ops at my former employer but I've done a few here at Fedex on the MD-11, too.

On that aircraft, if you're on a break, you're either eating a meal while standing in the back, sitting on a cooler or your bag or at the RFO desk in the cockpit. If you're not doing one of those, you're in the bunk or a cockpit seat. Even with just 3 guys, those are your only options.

This was satisfactory on EVERY double-crew flight for the 20+ years we've been operating the MD-11 at Fedex. Now, for a 777 crew on the occasional flight with multiple jumpseaters, those same options are so bad that they have to leave one or more of our own behind?

No way, MacGuy. I'll wave the BS flag. Totally unsat.

744driver

I've had several FDX (and UPS) pilots on our 744s from HKG to CVG...usually non-stop, sometimes stops in ANC.

Come on over, the water is nice...and good catering too.

Atlas Air, Inc.

Good Beer

yes..........

CloudSailor

So much for assuming this captain does not commute...

Alaskan

Yes, Atlas truly rocks! Thanks for the rides, guys.

Maybe if would be 777 jumpseaters had better aim the lavs would hold up for 14+ hrs?

The Walrus

I guess it really is "The Jerk".

Airhoss

I said it last time I'll say it again. Plain and simple no excuses that is a prime example of SCAB type behavior.

I've done multiple long legs on 777's. There is no excuse for leaving one of your own behind. This scumbag cAPTAIN needs a blanket party.