giving up a jump seat

[Milesar]

If you are waiting at the counter getting a jumpseat
on a full flight and a the gentleman behind you
Is also trying todo the same, both being from different
companies, him being more senoir, should I step back
and let him have the jumpseat?

[PanJet]

A little good will can go a long way.

[CamYZ125]

Are you both trying to get to work, or is one just going somewhere for pleasure? Can one take a later flight and still get there ok? If you're trying to get to work, and you need to be on that flight, I'd go by the policy of the airline you're trying to jumpseat on. If it's first come, first serve, and you were there first...

[JEP]

From what I have read and seen it is first come, first serve when dealing with two people and different companies. Now if they were from the same company, then maybe seniority would come into play.

Now aside from the rules, what's right could be completely different.....

[Milesar]

Originally Posted by PanJet

A little good will can go a long way.

I offered and apologized for being first once the gate agent printed the ticket, even mentioned that I was the younger of the two. He said that's ok, even said that I was first, he'll catch the next flight in an hour or so (plenty of seats) we're both commuting home. Feel bad about it, but he seemed to be ok with it?

[Minuteman]

Did he look like he had a pot-o-gold hidden somewhere or could grant wishes?

[PanJet]

Originally Posted by Milesar

I offered and apologized for being first once the gate agent printed the ticket, even mentioned that I was the younger of the two. He said that's ok, even said that I was first, he'll catch the next flight in an hour or so (plenty of seats) we're both commuting home. Feel bad about it, but he seemed to be ok with it?

Well I probably wouldn't feel bad about it. You did nothing wrong. I just meant that if you knew about it and weren't in a rush then maybe give it up. I'm sure there are no hard feelings. No harm, no foul.

Then again I know how you feel. I'm a lot like you in that I'd be more than willing to give it up, but I'd feel bad about it after even if nothing became of it.

[Soul Brotha']

Commuting to and from work first come, first serve is the majority rule.

[Airdale]

I think there are too many variables here. First of all, pilots going to work are priority. I'd give up my seat in a heartbeat in that case. Secondly, I would say company pilots are priority.

Like for example, I am trying to get to work by jumpseating on one of my company operated flights. Another guy from another airline was there before me, he is also trying to get to work. Most situations I have seen, the company pilot gets the seat (only if he's going to work. Pleasure is not an excuse to kick someone off the seat that needs to get to work.)

You have to help out your own Company pilots first.

[Screaming_Emu]

If I have priority (pretty much only happens if its somebody from another airline) I'll always check with them to see what they're going there for. If they need to be there before I do, they're going.

[staplegun]

Originally Posted by Milesar

If you are waiting at the counter getting a jumpseat
on a full flight and a the gentleman behind you
Is also trying todo the same, both being from different
companies, him being more senoir, should I step back
and let him have the jumpseat?

Assuming you are both OAL (Other Air Line) and don't work for the carrier you're trying to jump, it is first come first served, unless that company has rules concerning who has priority.

So, to answer your question, you are absolutely not expected to give way if you were there first.

If they have rules about certain pilot groups having a higher priority than others, the gate agent will sort it out. Also, they might have a flow-through so if there are seats in the back you both may get on.

All commuters understand this and know that's the way the game is played...




Kevin

[mrivc211]

I showed up to the gate 35 minutes prior to departure(was running late) and they had already let a pre-board jumpseater out to the plane. I was going to work and only had 25 minutes to check in time when we got in. I asked if he was with our airline, they replied no. I respectfully told them that since this flight was operated by our company, our pilots have priority over any other airlines(as is the policy at any other airline). When they took him off, he wasn't too happy.

If its your own airline, you have priority over other pilots from other airlines regardless of who checked in first. I've had it before where I've waited an hour for a jumpseat, had a mainline guy show up 5 minutes prior to boarding, and bump me off the flight. It's part of deciding to commute to work.

[blee256]

I agree with staplegun. You are not expected to give up the j/s. I showed up to a mainline flight, and there was a Senior 777 UA capt. And i got to the gate a lil after him. But i got the jumpseat because our company feeds mainline. I felt bad about it, but I was going to work, I had the priority, and thats how the game is played. In the end there were extra seats, so he got to go too.

Dont give up your seat, just because to be nice. They know exactly what they risk, as you do, when you jumpseat. Obviously if he is going to work, and you're just headed out for some fun, it would be courteous to offer it to him. But you have no obligation to do that.

[Velocipede]

I can think of one operations where the rules are different within the same company. One carrier uses DoH and the other first come, first serve. In both cases, online pilots have priority.

Personally, I have given up the jumpseat to other pilots if they have to be at work before I do. Of course I allow enough lead time to be at the base at least 3 hours prior to push.

[MQAAord]

At AMR it works like this:

Any AMR pilot first rides as a D2 (the personal travel non-rev classification), if there are seats in the back. An AMR pilot non-reving is not a jumpseater unless ALL seats in the back are full. If all seats are full, THEN the AMR pilot becomes a jumpseater.

Any AA pilot has first priority to an AA jumpseat, Eagle pilots have second priority, then it's OA pilots. On an Eagle flight Eagle pilots have first priority, AA pilots second then OA pilots.

If it comes down to two AA pilots or two Eagle pilots for the same jumpseat DOH (senority) is used. If it's two OA pilots it's first-come-first-serve, senority is not a factor for OA pilots.

If you want to give up your jumpseat to someone below you on priority you can. But you do not have to.

Also, an AA pilot/FA can offer to take a jumpseat if it will get other non-jumpseat non-revs on. Coming back from the Reno Air Races in 2002 I decided not to stay for the Gold race and I headed back early. The flight was very full, but there was one open seat (a middle seat about 2/3 of the way back). I told the agent I'd be happy to take a jumpseat and get the other non-rev on. The other non-rev thanked me up one side and down the other, but really he had done ME a favor! I hate middle seats and was far happier in the nice roomy aft galley of that new 737 than I would have been squished between two big guys (I saw the seat I would have had) the entire way.

[SkiHigh2002]

Is the D2 classification why the AA pilots never check in up front? Someone told me once that they get unlimited passes so technically they are not a jumpseater. Personally, I always try to check in up front even when deadheading. I always like to know up front when there are pilots in the back that could help when all hell breaks loose.

[MQAAord]

Originally Posted by SkiHigh2002

Is the D2 classification why the AA pilots never check in up front? Someone told me once that they get unlimited passes so technically they are not a jumpseater. Personally, I always try to check in up front even when deadheading. I always like to know up front when there are pilots in the back that could help when all hell breaks loose.

Yes.

At AMR there are no pass # limits for employees. They do not consider an AMR pilot or F/A to be a jumpseater unless they are actually physically occupying a jumpseat. So if they're non-reving, and there are seats in the back, they're a D2 and have no obligation at ALL to check in with the pilots. Obviously, if it comes down to the jumpseat of COURSE they're going to check in, because they're going to be sitting up there!

AMR also charges a service charge for non-rev travel. For your first 5 years of employement you pay a small service charge to ride in coach and a larger service charge to ride in first. After 5 years coach is free but you still pay the charge for 1st. Unless you're listed for coach but it ends up being full and the only open seats are coach, in which case if you're over 5 years the first class charge will be waived.

[Airdale]

Originally Posted by MQAAord

Yes.

At AMR there are no pass # limits for employees. They do not consider an AMR pilot or F/A to be a jumpseater unless they are actually physically occupying a jumpseat. So if they're non-reving, and there are seats in the back, they're a D2 and have no obligation at ALL to check in with the pilots. Obviously, if it comes down to the jumpseat of COURSE they're going to check in, because they're going to be sitting up there!

AMR also charges a service charge for non-rev travel. For your first 5 years of employement you pay a small service charge to ride in coach and a larger service charge to ride in first. After 5 years coach is free but you still pay the charge for 1st. Unless you're listed for coach but it ends up being full and the only open seats are coach, in which case if you're over 5 years the first class charge will be waived.

WOW, AMR employee travel sucks! I've been spoiled by Airways, my wife and I ride free anytime, anywhere we want. To wait 5 years? Thats insane.

[BobDDuck]

As much as soom things suck about the Airways system, non rev travel is probably the best among the majors.

I just got bumped off 2 jumpseats today, both within 5 minutes of departure. Next try is a 'bus with two seats. Here's hoping.

[MQAAord]

Originally Posted by Airdale

WOW, AMR employee travel sucks! I've been spoiled by Airways, my wife and I ride free anytime, anywhere we want. To wait 5 years? Thats insane.

Well, it's like $7 to go from MSN to ORD. $18 first class from ORD to ATL. Just as examples..... So it's not bad. But if you commute, say from ORD to SJU, it can add up.

Delta recently started charging a flat $50 fee per year to activate your pass card. We actually haven't done this He jumpseats if he needs to go somewhere, and I never non-rev anymore.

[ComplexHiAv8r]

Originally Posted by MQAAord

I never non-rev anymore.

How do you plan to get to NJC08???

You think non-rev is bad, try UAL retiree buddy passes...

[MQAAord]

Originally Posted by ComplexHiAv8r

How do you plan to get to NJC08???

I will be buying a ticket. Because I want to get there, AND get back with an actual, real, confirmed seat!

[zmiller4]

Originally Posted by MQAAord

Well, it's like $7 to go from MSN to ORD. $18 first class from ORD to ATL. Just as examples..... So it's not bad. But if you commute, say from ORD to SJU, it can add up.

It absolutely does add up. Commuting TUS-SJU I'd spend close to 300/month getting to and from work. It was a little less if I could get the jump, but gate agents were trained not to give you a 1W (jumpseat) pass if there were open seats. Some would anyway, but it still sucks big time to have to pay to ride on your own company.

[MQAAord]

Back in '98/'99 ish when 2 year upgrades were happening for the ATR in SJU some friends of mine were commuting from ORD to SJU. They incurred a lot of commuting expenses that way. Some would try to jump on UA as often as possible for their commute, just to avoid the D2 charges.