Offline Jumpseat "Checking in"
06-16-2024, 04:13 AM
#31
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2013
Posts: 10,518
I recently had a sour experience deadheading on a revenue ticket. CA happy assumed I was jumpseating because I was in uniform so decided to pull me into the galley while deplaing and asked me why I did not check in. My response was just as I stated, I was a Revenue customer on a paid deadhead. His claim was that we should still check in with them as fellow crew members. I bit my tongue and just walked out.
Now this was an anomaly I understand, but it got me thinking. What the hell is the point even if I am an actual jumpseater, with an assigned seat in the back, of "Checking in." Seems like an old time tradition bought from older generation Captains that has just continued on. I've had multiple pilots come "Check in" with me in the past on a single flight who have an assigned seat in the back. I’m friendly and appreciate the gesture but to me it’s just ridiculous. In no situation unless you are belligerently drunk or not wearing clothes am I going to say “nah you can’t sit in the back”.
Furthermore it interrupts crew and (although I was taught not to do this) people will still “Check in” with you in the middle of a checklist. It also backs up and slows boarding. Personally if you have a seat in the back I don’t give a damn. Sit down and shut up. We don’t require pax to come check in with the captain for approval to sit in a seat in the back, why are we making vetted airline crew do it.
Now this was an anomaly I understand, but it got me thinking. What the hell is the point even if I am an actual jumpseater, with an assigned seat in the back, of "Checking in." Seems like an old time tradition bought from older generation Captains that has just continued on. I've had multiple pilots come "Check in" with me in the past on a single flight who have an assigned seat in the back. I’m friendly and appreciate the gesture but to me it’s just ridiculous. In no situation unless you are belligerently drunk or not wearing clothes am I going to say “nah you can’t sit in the back”.
Furthermore it interrupts crew and (although I was taught not to do this) people will still “Check in” with you in the middle of a checklist. It also backs up and slows boarding. Personally if you have a seat in the back I don’t give a damn. Sit down and shut up. We don’t require pax to come check in with the captain for approval to sit in a seat in the back, why are we making vetted airline crew do it.
06-16-2024, 05:26 AM
#32
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Position: B-737NG preferably in first class with a glass of champagne and caviar
Posts: 5,995
I was working a foreign carrier. The contract provided confirmed business class travel between my home airport and base. I wore my uniform during departure security and arrival formalities as I was included on the Crew Dec.
I was at JFK, in my uniform, waiting to board my flight. An online captain approached me. No greeting, but a lecture to inform me that I don’t have a chance for the jump seat as the flight is oversold. I thanked him for the information.
I queued up for boarding when Business Class Pax offered boarding.
I knew why he was approaching me. To avoid a public commotion, I suggested we move away from the other passengers. He wanted to see my jump seat slip. I politely said no. The gate agent approached as the captain was elevating the situation. She immediately defused the situation by apologizing to me before telling the captain I am a confirmed business class passenger with an assigned seat. The gate agent asked if I wanted to lodge a complaint. I said not necessary. But requested her name so I could write a letter of commendation to the airline how professional she was in handing conflict resolution issues. Some employees don't receive the recognition deserved... But that's another topic.
After the dust settled, no apology, he, once again, lectured me that I should have told him of my status. I told him I didn’t like his pompous condescending attitude, with his presumptive status of me traveling in uniform. I told him that he really needs to work on his social and customer service skills. Alas… KARMA works both ways… Captain chaos didn’t get on the flight and I couldn’t enjoy a glass of wine, being in uniform.
I was at JFK, in my uniform, waiting to board my flight. An online captain approached me. No greeting, but a lecture to inform me that I don’t have a chance for the jump seat as the flight is oversold. I thanked him for the information.
I queued up for boarding when Business Class Pax offered boarding.
I knew why he was approaching me. To avoid a public commotion, I suggested we move away from the other passengers. He wanted to see my jump seat slip. I politely said no. The gate agent approached as the captain was elevating the situation. She immediately defused the situation by apologizing to me before telling the captain I am a confirmed business class passenger with an assigned seat. The gate agent asked if I wanted to lodge a complaint. I said not necessary. But requested her name so I could write a letter of commendation to the airline how professional she was in handing conflict resolution issues. Some employees don't receive the recognition deserved... But that's another topic.
After the dust settled, no apology, he, once again, lectured me that I should have told him of my status. I told him I didn’t like his pompous condescending attitude, with his presumptive status of me traveling in uniform. I told him that he really needs to work on his social and customer service skills. Alas… KARMA works both ways… Captain chaos didn’t get on the flight and I couldn’t enjoy a glass of wine, being in uniform.
06-16-2024, 06:29 AM
#33
It's 5 o'clock somewhere
Joined APC: Oct 2020
Posts: 2,151
Maybe I wrote poorly, but that's not what I said at all. FWIW, my second paragraph didn't apply to the OP in any way - it was only germane to the resulting discussion.
Let me try the second part another way. Unless you are have a Jumpseat boarding pass (P1, P2, FA1, FA2...), not only is "checking in" absolutely not ever required, personally I'd prefer you don't. Only if you do have a JS boarding pass, I personally think you should stop by (with your licence/medical at the ready), at least tell me you are here, and preferably give me the courtesy of pretending to ask permission. I get that part is contrary to some here, and that's fine. But that my 2 cents.
Let me try the second part another way. Unless you are have a Jumpseat boarding pass (P1, P2, FA1, FA2...), not only is "checking in" absolutely not ever required, personally I'd prefer you don't. Only if you do have a JS boarding pass, I personally think you should stop by (with your licence/medical at the ready), at least tell me you are here, and preferably give me the courtesy of pretending to ask permission. I get that part is contrary to some here, and that's fine. But that my 2 cents.
I also got the third degree when personal jumpseating when I checked in (mostly on Delta) many times because they were certain that I was abusing the jumpseat for company business. Um no your highness our company buys tickets for that. I'm actually a platinum medallion.
06-16-2024, 07:51 AM
#34
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 40,016
One reason that it is nice to know about pilots traveling in the back is the possibility of pilot incapacitation. More and more pilots are over 60, and we are getting more and more female pilots. Of the three pilot incapation events of which I have personal knowledge, two involved pregnant pilots.
I'd venture that there is *usually* a pilot on any flight with more than 100 seats, the stews can just make an announcement if necessary.
06-16-2024, 08:00 AM
#35
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 40,016
I was working a foreign carrier. The contract provided confirmed business class travel between my home airport and base. I wore my uniform during departure security and arrival formalities as I was included on the Crew Dec.
I was at JFK, in my uniform, waiting to board my flight. An online captain approached me. No greeting, but a lecture to inform me that I don’t have a chance for the jump seat as the flight is oversold. I thanked him for the information.
I queued up for boarding when Business Class Pax offered boarding.
I knew why he was approaching me. To avoid a public commotion, I suggested we move away from the other passengers. He wanted to see my jump seat slip. I politely said no. The gate agent approached as the captain was elevating the situation. She immediately defused the situation by apologizing to me before telling the captain I am a confirmed business class passenger with an assigned seat. The gate agent asked if I wanted to lodge a complaint. I said not necessary. But requested her name so I could write a letter of commendation to the airline how professional she was in handing conflict resolution issues. Some employees don't receive the recognition deserved... But that's another topic.
After the dust settled, no apology, he, once again, lectured me that I should have told him of my status. I told him I didn’t like his pompous condescending attitude, with his presumptive status of me traveling in uniform. I told him that he really needs to work on his social and customer service skills. Alas… KARMA works both ways… Captain chaos didn’t get on the flight and I couldn’t enjoy a glass of wine, being in uniform.
I was at JFK, in my uniform, waiting to board my flight. An online captain approached me. No greeting, but a lecture to inform me that I don’t have a chance for the jump seat as the flight is oversold. I thanked him for the information.
I queued up for boarding when Business Class Pax offered boarding.
I knew why he was approaching me. To avoid a public commotion, I suggested we move away from the other passengers. He wanted to see my jump seat slip. I politely said no. The gate agent approached as the captain was elevating the situation. She immediately defused the situation by apologizing to me before telling the captain I am a confirmed business class passenger with an assigned seat. The gate agent asked if I wanted to lodge a complaint. I said not necessary. But requested her name so I could write a letter of commendation to the airline how professional she was in handing conflict resolution issues. Some employees don't receive the recognition deserved... But that's another topic.
After the dust settled, no apology, he, once again, lectured me that I should have told him of my status. I told him I didn’t like his pompous condescending attitude, with his presumptive status of me traveling in uniform. I told him that he really needs to work on his social and customer service skills. Alas… KARMA works both ways… Captain chaos didn’t get on the flight and I couldn’t enjoy a glass of wine, being in uniform.
I usually travel in uniform if I'm going to work at any point coming or going because I have out-sized liquids and gels. But the pilot costume does sometimes create hassles.
But again, just don't go there. Or how about this... go ask the gate for a list of pilots in jumpseat status rather than profiling people in uniform or with crew luggage.
06-16-2024, 11:36 AM
#36
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2014
Position: Semi-Retired...
Posts: 3,224
its up to the Captain if you ride or not and it requires the Captains permission regardless where you sit
you are also an additional crewmember by law, and the PIC must be made aware of all additional crew members
i usually visit the gate to check for jumpseaters, if I can I'll preboard them to aid with the stowing of crew bags.
06-16-2024, 11:39 AM
#37
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2014
Position: Semi-Retired...
Posts: 3,224
I was working a foreign carrier. The contract provided confirmed business class travel between my home airport and base. I wore my uniform during departure security and arrival formalities as I was included on the Crew Dec.
I was at JFK, in my uniform, waiting to board my flight. An online captain approached me. No greeting, but a lecture to inform me that I don’t have a chance for the jump seat as the flight is oversold. I thanked him for the information.
I queued up for boarding when Business Class Pax offered boarding.
I knew why he was approaching me. To avoid a public commotion, I suggested we move away from the other passengers. He wanted to see my jump seat slip. I politely said no. The gate agent approached as the captain was elevating the situation. She immediately defused the situation by apologizing to me before telling the captain I am a confirmed business class passenger with an assigned seat. The gate agent asked if I wanted to lodge a complaint. I said not necessary. But requested her name so I could write a letter of commendation to the airline how professional she was in handing conflict resolution issues. Some employees don't receive the recognition deserved... But that's another topic.
After the dust settled, no apology, he, once again, lectured me that I should have told him of my status. I told him I didn’t like his pompous condescending attitude, with his presumptive status of me traveling in uniform. I told him that he really needs to work on his social and customer service skills. Alas… KARMA works both ways… Captain chaos didn’t get on the flight and I couldn’t enjoy a glass of wine, being in uniform.
I was at JFK, in my uniform, waiting to board my flight. An online captain approached me. No greeting, but a lecture to inform me that I don’t have a chance for the jump seat as the flight is oversold. I thanked him for the information.
I queued up for boarding when Business Class Pax offered boarding.
I knew why he was approaching me. To avoid a public commotion, I suggested we move away from the other passengers. He wanted to see my jump seat slip. I politely said no. The gate agent approached as the captain was elevating the situation. She immediately defused the situation by apologizing to me before telling the captain I am a confirmed business class passenger with an assigned seat. The gate agent asked if I wanted to lodge a complaint. I said not necessary. But requested her name so I could write a letter of commendation to the airline how professional she was in handing conflict resolution issues. Some employees don't receive the recognition deserved... But that's another topic.
After the dust settled, no apology, he, once again, lectured me that I should have told him of my status. I told him I didn’t like his pompous condescending attitude, with his presumptive status of me traveling in uniform. I told him that he really needs to work on his social and customer service skills. Alas… KARMA works both ways… Captain chaos didn’t get on the flight and I couldn’t enjoy a glass of wine, being in uniform.
06-16-2024, 11:44 AM
#38
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Position: B-737NG preferably in first class with a glass of champagne and caviar
Posts: 5,995
Negative! I'm the passenger, and he's an employee empowered to provide a service without provocation. He could have extended a hand and introduced himself. But no... he had to try to demonstrate that his ego overrides all.
06-16-2024, 04:11 PM
#39
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2020
Posts: 2,318
Why do people make easy stuff hard?
1. If your on a paid ticket or deadheading, no obligation or need to check in.
2. If you listed for jumpseat on your own metal or regional affiliate and a seat opened up in the back, just non-rev. No obligation to check in, but it would be polite to let the captain know that you got on so that they don't go looking for you.
3. If you list for jumpseat on another company's metal, you absolutely need to check in and ask the captain for permission to ride even if the gate agent offered a seat in the back. If you don't have non-rev benefits on that company, so you need to get the captains permission to ride, regardless if it's cabin or cockpit.
1. If your on a paid ticket or deadheading, no obligation or need to check in.
2. If you listed for jumpseat on your own metal or regional affiliate and a seat opened up in the back, just non-rev. No obligation to check in, but it would be polite to let the captain know that you got on so that they don't go looking for you.
3. If you list for jumpseat on another company's metal, you absolutely need to check in and ask the captain for permission to ride even if the gate agent offered a seat in the back. If you don't have non-rev benefits on that company, so you need to get the captains permission to ride, regardless if it's cabin or cockpit.
06-16-2024, 04:14 PM
#40
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 40,016
3. If you list for jumpseat on another company's metal, you absolutely need to check in and ask the captain for permission to ride even if the gate agent offered a seat in the back. If you don't have non-rev benefits on that company, so you need to get the captains permission to ride, regardless if it's cabin or cockpit.
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