captjns

It is true that a Captain has the right to deny a pilot a ride on his jet, for adequate reasons of course. However, I don't think that because that a pilot employed by a non-union airline would be an acceptable excuse, especially where a jump seat agreement is in place. Do you think the chief pilot or D.O. would stand for such inappropriate behavior? Yeah I know there are some that boast they deny the jump seat to these types of folks because their airline does not have a union. But I'll bet these bravado types wouldn't have the balls to tell these poor folks to their face the true reason why they are being denied the jump seat.

B757200ER

If you deny a pilot from a non-union carrier the j/s, and your company has a reciprocal agreement with that non-union carrier, you are in VIOLATION of that reciprocal jumpseat agreement, PERIOD. Yes, you may get a phone call or do a rugdance with the Chief Pilot. At my last company, you could be terminated for denying eligible pilots the j/s without good reason.

reddog25

My Company's FOM (NWA) states quite clearly that the Captain retains the right of admitance or refusal of the JS. The captain is only required to file a report to the company justifying the reason for refusal if the JS rider is a NWA pilot. I don't believe that your former company would terminate the captain for refusing an off line JS rider....doesn't make sense....Who was your former company anyway?

Velocipede

Who said I would deny a SKW pilot? Read the WHOLE thread for comprehension, please. The last I looked, SKW wasn't flying A320s, 737s or any other narrowbody airliner. Therefore, its apples to oranges.

And, BTW, SKW virtually the same rates as other regional carriers. And you pay significantly MORE than jetBlue pays their EMB pilots. Therefore, you're not undercutting anyone's Union contract. In fact, B6 is undercutting YOU by paying less to fly an airplane with 30 more seats. YOU should be denying the jumpeat to B6!

SKW? Welcome aboard!

Velocipede

You're right. They're full of hot air. Virtually all FOMs support the Captain as the FINAL AUTHORITY on who rides the jumpseat, reciprocal agreements be damned. There are certain designated personnel who MUST be allowed access to the jumpseat, but that is a very specialized group.

And no disiciplinary action is ever taken or contemplated against Captains who refuse jumpseaters. We had a Captain who would not allow Company pilots on his jumpseat, much less off line freeloaders. His rationale, "I don't ask for the jumpseat, so I don't give it." NO ONE EVER QUESTIONED HIS AUTHORITY.

The same holds true for me. I don't ask B6 for a ride, so I don't feel compelled to offer their non-Union pilots a UNION negotiated privilege.

Remember that word, all you guys who think you have the right to a jumpseat ride just because there is a reciprocal agreement. Its still a privilege. And the CAPTAIN ALONE determines who that privilege will be extended to.

ralphcramden1

VelociTool,

Skywest flies 50-70-90 CRJ's for the same rate that ACA/comair/wiskey flew 50 seaters for. When United began the Bain process of forcing all regionals to the "market" rate first we had to deal with Mesa's ALPA contract, then the 70 seat rates were compromised by Skywest flying them for 50 seat rates. The current regional airline rates are all similar because one bankrupt legacy after another followed UAL's lead with the new "market" rate.

I've lived thru several rounds of concessionary contracts followed by a shutdown. Your statement that Skywest doesn't count is bunk. they do it at the level beneath you. that forces the costs down on regional lift, making it more attractive to management to replace your aircraft with an E170 or CRJ900. Using your progressive (ha) line of logic these Skywest pilots are just as dangerous to your CBA and livelyhood as any others.

Even though I was burned by the "lower cost" regionals, i'd never tell a pilot (except a SCAB) that they can't have a ride because of their rate of pay, or work rules. Best bet is to break out your "better" contract and show them what a determined group can achieve.

Fins Up

Is this just flamebait or what? That is completely wrong on all counts, straight up rates, seat-to-seat, and $/passenger. You should check out this site called airlinepilotcentral.com. They post payrates for most airlines.

fdx727pilot

And if the Captain wants to be a raving A###ole, just avoid Alaska and JS with someone else. Most Capts are not drunk with their authority.

captjns

Its not offering the jump seat that is in question, its denying the jumps seat. True the captain has the final authority, and a written explanation usually is required to be filed with the chief pilot for obvious reasons. However, you never stated, and come on be honest, that you submit an explanation to your chief pilot the reason for denial of jump seat is because the individual may be with Jet Blue, a non union carrier, and you don't recognize such pilots. Man I would love to be a fly on the wall, if you did have the balls acted in an insane manner, while your chief pilot and perhaps your DO gave you a dressing down.

ClutchCargo

I don't know about other carriers but at FDX the Capt. has complete and total control of the cockpit J/S. The FAA has expressly forbidden management from questioning a Captains decision to deny a J/S. The exception of course is the standard FAA, Secret Service, etc. This is as it should be. That being said I would personally not deny the J/S unless the person was on "The List" or was an FDX non-member.