Offline Jumpseat "Checking in"
06-17-2024, 06:27 AM
#51
Line Holder
Joined APC: Dec 2021
Posts: 97
I always check the standby list to see if anyone’s trying to get on, and I appreciate if you stop by to let me know if you did, because it saves me the step of having to check again a few minutes before we push.
That said, if you don’t stop by the cockpit, I won’t be butthurt. No need to kiss the ring. I know you’re tired and just want to go home.
The whole notion of the CA caring about a random passenger in 32A getting a free ride is stupid. Why not have every nonrev check in then?
If you’re in the cockpit jumpseat, that’s different. I appreciate if you ask, as you’re now sitting in my office.
That said, if you don’t stop by the cockpit, I won’t be butthurt. No need to kiss the ring. I know you’re tired and just want to go home.
The whole notion of the CA caring about a random passenger in 32A getting a free ride is stupid. Why not have every nonrev check in then?
If you’re in the cockpit jumpseat, that’s different. I appreciate if you ask, as you’re now sitting in my office.
06-17-2024, 06:47 AM
#52
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2022
Posts: 492
It seems as a whole that airlines/and unions should make things more clear for everyone or at least send some memos out reminding everyone of the rules. Recently I listed the JS on a JetBlue flight, although I got a seat in the back the gate agent told me “show this to the captain”. And printed on that form was “Captains Copy”. I politely knocked and stepped in and introduced myself, said I listed JS and got a seat in the back as I politely held the “captains copy” form out to the female captain. She gave me a snarky look and said if you have a seat in the back you don’t need to come up here and bother me.
Right. The policy says I need to, I was instructed by the gate agent as well, but in her own rules I don’t need to. I’ve also been told by a legacy pilot that “he doesn’t control the seats in the back, only the gate agent does”. And that if I have a seat in the back, go sit down because it’s an airline policy that the seat was given to me, not his own; he only controls who rides the JS.
too many pilots have their own rules about this and it’s just confusing.
Right. The policy says I need to, I was instructed by the gate agent as well, but in her own rules I don’t need to. I’ve also been told by a legacy pilot that “he doesn’t control the seats in the back, only the gate agent does”. And that if I have a seat in the back, go sit down because it’s an airline policy that the seat was given to me, not his own; he only controls who rides the JS.
too many pilots have their own rules about this and it’s just confusing.
06-17-2024, 08:10 AM
#53
A/THR
Joined APC: Dec 2022
Posts: 9
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.
06-17-2024, 08:42 AM
#54
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2016
Posts: 369
In the beginning of my career I had an AA captain tell me politely that it’s really not necessary to stop by the flight deck to ‘check in,’ even if assigned a seat in the back by the agent. He said if they’ve assigned you a seat in the back, just go ahead and get on and take your seat. There’s no need to come up front unless you need the JS. Before I met this captain, I had another say the same thing to me on a regional flight. A couple of other captains seemed agitated that I checked in, even after I waited patiently to say “hey guys….” while they finished their briefing or checklist so as not to interrupt. Seemed like it just wasn’t necessary.
I still remember, one of the flights I had a seat in the back and I stopped up front and said "Hi Captain, my name is XYZ with regional airline, I was given a seat in the back but I wanted to check in and say hello and thanks for the ride.". He turned around in his seat, said let me see your badge/certificates and then gave me a 30 sec lecture saying "You know, you're required to stop up here and check in" to which I said "I'm aware, which is why I'm up here". I had a coupe other AA captains say similar to me, and a United crew.
At my airline, you are literally required to come up to the front if you're offline jumpseating because we have to sign a jumpseat form that goes back to the agent. End of the day, if you're offline and jumpseating, just stop up front.
06-17-2024, 09:38 AM
#56
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2021
Posts: 366
When I started and was commuting, I was on multiple AA flights where even after checking in, the Captains lectured me on checking in.
I still remember, one of the flights I had a seat in the back and I stopped up front and said "Hi Captain, my name is XYZ with regional airline, I was given a seat in the back but I wanted to check in and say hello and thanks for the ride.". He turned around in his seat, said let me see your badge/certificates and then gave me a 30 sec lecture saying "You know, you're required to stop up here and check in" to which I said "I'm aware, which is why I'm up here". I had a coupe other AA captains say similar to me, and a United crew.
At my airline, you are literally required to come up to the front if you're offline jumpseating because we have to sign a jumpseat form that goes back to the agent. End of the day, if you're offline and jumpseating, just stop up front.
I still remember, one of the flights I had a seat in the back and I stopped up front and said "Hi Captain, my name is XYZ with regional airline, I was given a seat in the back but I wanted to check in and say hello and thanks for the ride.". He turned around in his seat, said let me see your badge/certificates and then gave me a 30 sec lecture saying "You know, you're required to stop up here and check in" to which I said "I'm aware, which is why I'm up here". I had a coupe other AA captains say similar to me, and a United crew.
At my airline, you are literally required to come up to the front if you're offline jumpseating because we have to sign a jumpseat form that goes back to the agent. End of the day, if you're offline and jumpseating, just stop up front.
I don’t work for AA, but work for one of their regionals, and have had 1 captain tell me NOT to check in when given a seat in back, and have also heard from many other pilots in casual conversations, both from the WO’s and from mainline, say that it’s not necessary to check in, UNLESS of course you need the jumpseat, which that is a given. I have never had an AA captain ‘stop me’ during deplaning to say ‘why didn’t you check in?’ Been the opposite actually. “Is this home for you? Welcome home!” Is how it usually goes, sometimes friendly conversation follows if I happen to be walking up the jetbridge with the crew if they are in a hurry to get out of there. I’ve never had someone ‘profile’ me.
On rare occasions when I had to ‘offline’ jumpseat/non-rev on delta, yes, there is no question about it. I have always checked in with the captain and ASKED for a ride, even if given a seat in back, doesn’t matter if the flight has like 20-30 seats open either. That is standard procedure and I always followed and respected that. I remember when I asked for a ride once on DL, the captain thanked me for asking to get on. I was confused at first, and then he proceeded to tell me he’s had quite a few offline dudes that just got on and didn’t ask.
Then there are a whole separate group of captains that did what the OP said happened. There are still a few captains it seems that like to chastise and ‘dress down’ pilots who are PS/DH’s and are revenue customers. That is just absolutely ridiculous and completely uncalled for. And I’d argue that it’s unprofessional too and just causes more of a rift between pilots.
06-17-2024, 06:41 PM
#57
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2017
Posts: 3,227
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.
I think I actually took a photo of you and that captain the moment he confronted you for not “checking-in”. Take a look…
06-17-2024, 06:50 PM
#58
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2007
Position: 767/757 CA
Posts: 2,695
06-19-2024, 06:51 AM
#60
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2008
Position: 737 CAPT
Posts: 1,898
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.
2. Jumpseating is a privelege not a right. The jumpseat and who rides on the aircraft is at the discretion of the captain. I was taught oh so many years ago when I started this career that even if you have a seat in the cabin that the captain gives the final blessing as to whether or not you ride. Therefore, ask don't assume.
3. If you are on a paid ticket flying as a passenger for your company in uniform, in flip flops, in a furry costume, I do not need or care to see you as you are a passenger like anyone else. Same goes with regular non-revenue travel (in appropriate attire...no furry costume).
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