RunnerMark

I once sat in a jumpseat for two hours with my jaw broken in eight places and needing surgery as soon as we landed. (This is a true story). Technically, the crew could have not allowed me on since you could have considered my medical invalid at the time, so I was grateful for the ride... but my face was swollen to two to three times its normal size and neither pilot once even asked me if I was alright or what happened or anything at all!! Hahah. I was clearly in pain and mentioned I needed surgery as soon as we got to where we were going. They never said a word to me the whole entire flight, just talked amongst themselves. They were both under 40, the FO was probably 25-29.

nancy33

Well Like grandma always says when people get older they either get meaner or nicer. I have had the ones the don't say a word and others that do all they can for you one time a older CA stuck us in the lav as we were trying to get back to work after being stuck for 5 days because there was a JS and the back was full.

Confused

Ok side point about spikey hair. I'm an adult, not a punk or a "surfer dude" but I spike my hair, like most people my age these days. It's not 1958, it's annoying when I know the boys who listen to the old music are dismissing me based on a hair style.

At least I have hair to spike, and I am not about to change my ways for a (deleted) ride somewhere. I am not rolling up in jeans and a t shirt either, and yes I managed to drag a razor across my face that morning before people throw the show respect card at me.

I really hate dudes that go on a trip about their jumpseat like it is an extension of their dong or something. I commuted way too long, can ya tell??

80ktsClamp

I've always found the grumpiest captains to ask for the jumpseat from are the younger regional lifers- guys in their later 40's or early 50's or so that have gotten somewhat senior for whatever reason and can't viably move on to a real career job, yet aren't happy with where they are at.

Some personal favorites have been in ASA CRJ-700s... yowza! (to be fair I've run into some real characters at least once at every carrier I've routinely jumped on- Pinnacle, ASA, comair, shuttle america, Delta, and Northwest)

Me- "Hello sir, my name is xxx, I work at Delta, may I catch a ride with you guys today?" (all the usual credentials extended out)

CA- "You aren't going to be riding up front are you?"


Me- "Huh.. uh.... maybe? It could go either way right now"

CA- "I hope not." (shoves credentials back at me)


*crickets

Me- "I appreciate the ride...."


Some people wonder why they can't get hired elsewhere....

Les Habitants

What is unbelievable to me is the attitude people seem to have when jumpseating. People should remember jumpseating is an absolute PRIVALEGE and NOT a right because you are an "airline pilot." I remember reading one guy complaining that AA was not offering him international jumpseats. I couldn't believe my eyes. Even at the thought of flying for free anywhere AA flies is enough to make my eyes water. I wonder if some people need to give themselves an attitude check.

skyxbomb

I'm an FO and anytime we have a jumpseater, we do everything we can to accommodate them(PSA). Not a problem on the 700s but it can get tricky with the 200s. Every single captain I flew with welcomed the JSer with maybe GoJet being the exception.

Only had one bad experience JSing. But 99% of the time, all the crews(regionals and mainlines) were very professional and courteous. One that stood out was an AWAC crew that couldn't take a jumpseater. Capt made them put 7-800 lbs of ballasts and the last 20 mins of the flight were flown with spoilers deployed to burn the extra fuel. Couldn't thank them enough!! One time we had a jumpseater, our captain called dispatch to change the required fuel, and de-fueled the airplane. We took a delay but it was worth getting somebody home after a long trip. Be nice to others and it'll come back to you.

CAVOK84

I'm not sure that you can say people in their 20s (im guessing) mostly spike their hair. At the airlines at least I would say that is presumptuous, I don't. Also, that type of attitude is probably why guys wouldn't want to have a conversation with you.

newarkblows

I think they might have been a little peeved that you put them in that situation. They could have gotten in trouble for letting you ride. In this case they could play dumb and just say they didn't know you were sick. If your banged up the chief pilots office can positive space you wherever you need to be. That was bad jumpseat ettiquette on your part.

RunnerMark

That's a fair assumption. What's not is that my chief pilot would have positive spaced me home, you obviously haven't met him!!

Marticat

I never had a bad jumpseating experience but did have a bad jumpseater decided to ride on our aircraft. The mainline FO approached the flight deck and blatantly "told" the Captain that he was going to ride on our jumpseat. As he turned away to chat with the flight attendant, the Captain and I looked at each other and I said -- "did you hear what I did?" As an old fart FO, I decided to help educate my fellow FO. In a calm, polite yet firm tone, I showed him the error of his ways with my final words being -- "and you should know better". He then promptly apologized to both the Captain and me. He then promptly removed himself from the aircraft.