Cessnadriver

Just wondering what tricks people have come up with to deal with some of the minor annoyances of the job, especially commuting. Here are a few of mine. Feel free to add anything to the list that I didn’t think of.

I normally arrive in my domicile around 8am for a 2pm flight. The result is that I have a lot of time to kill. As a result, I save things that I might normally do at home for my time away. For example, I try to avoid visiting forums like this one unless I’m on the road. I use my time at home to do things that I can’t do on the road. Sometimes it’s hard to resist reading that new magazine or book that I packed for the flight to my domicile though? Things like balancing a checkbook or totaling logbooks are always done on the road. That frees up my time at home so I can actually use it to do things I like rather than deal with a bunch of busy work that piled up while I was gone.

Obviously, packing meals is a big help. I’ve even resorted to powdered milk. I also have several ziplock bags in my case to save some of my breakfast for lunch. Can’t wait till the TSA finds the plastic baggie filled with powdered milk buried in my suitcase!!

At the security line, I’ve found the best order to run my stuff through the x-ray machine. The shoes, watch and cell phone go through first. That way I can put them back on while everything else is still being examined. I always run the case with my headset through last because it always gets an extra long look from the screener. I normally leave a gap between the larger cases and my other stuff on the conveyor belt. That way I can at least put on my shoes and watch and put away my laptop in the time for the screener to stop the belt and examine my larger suitcase. If I run these items through without a gap, some of them will get trapped while the belt is stopped. Any items that frequently get pulled out during an inspection, I always place on top so that they don’t have to pull too many things out. It also makes them feel special when they find what they’re looking for quickly. Before those of you who don’t commute accuse me of having too much time on my hands to think these things up, keep in mind that I fully admit that I really have nothing better to do when waiting in a long security line.

saab2000

- Get to the gate earlier than other potential jumpseaters.
- Check the weather a day before you leave.
- Consider alternate ways to get to work.
- Know your rights.
- Know your responsibilities.
- Bring something good to read.
- Act professionally to the crew of your airplane.
- Be very polite and humble to the gate agents.

rickair7777

I commute in early am for afternoon shows, and use the time for exercise/outdoor activities...obviously depends on the domicile, but you can go to a gym anywhere if you have a car.

cessna126

-work for a company with a commuter clause

BoilerUP

Cookies or candy go a LONG way to getting preferential treatment from gate agents.

ExperimentalAB

Working for XJet, we had a few Mainline CAL Pilots commute with us to EWR regularly. More often than not they'd bring along with them a dozen donuts or so.

"America Runs on Dunkin"...and they always made their commute LoL

ToiletDuck

Skip the gate agents and go strait to the pilots. If you've ever jumpseated out of IAH B gates you'll know what I'm talking about. Half the flights are weight restricted and the agents won't tell the pilots you are waiting. I'll also call dispatch and have them put a memo on the realse that a jumpseater is at the gate. Also list in advance if you can for that flight.

If there's a pilot there he'll usually get me on. The only two times I never did was because of the gate agents. They don't understand the ways you can play with the weights and telling them is damn near impossible. ie 9400lbs Ramp fuel but only 8400lbs required. If the pilots had known I was there they could just up the burn or taxi or not have the fuelers put as much on board. I've never left anyone at the gate before.

ExperimentalAB

TD is right...the agents know nothing of W&B and ACARS and fudging numbers. Plus, I'm sure there are a few that get off on being able to tell a Pilot to go home. Always beg, borrow, or steal your way down the Jetbridge to speak with the Crew.

coldpilot

Show up early and be really nice to the gate agent. Usually the only time I'm running to the gate is if I get released right before the next departure to go home.

POPA

I have never had to go over a gate agent's head, and I've never been refused a jumpseat for any reason other than somebody else's butt being in that seat (higher priority JSer). The best route to take is to remember that the jumpseat is a privilege, and not a right. Get to the gate at least an hour early whenever possible, and talk to the agent for a little bit before requesting to list for the jumpseat. They're usually much more responsive if you let them blow some steam off.