Comments on: Jumpseating

By: James Sardella

James Sardella — Sat, 11 Aug 2012 04:42:10 +0000

When I was 10 years old moving with my family from New Jersey to California, I was offered a chance to sit in the jump seat on our flight. I did not take it for reasons I can’t remember, and I opted out. Less than 10 years after that I got the flying bug, and now at 50 years later, I wish I had taken that opportunity. Too bad it’s not available to other than airline pilots. The world has changed in a sad way.

By: Tim Holloway

Tim Holloway — Sat, 11 Aug 2012 02:07:38 +0000

I would strengthen the author’s statement, “Once in the seat, you are expected to act as a third crew member…”
Whether actually jumpseating in the cockpit or seated in the cabin, it’s not an expectation; you are an “other crew member.” That means alcohol rules apply. It’s been 8 hours, and if seated in the cabin you don’t consume any. That means you may be given security sensitive information including whether one of the crew is an FFDO or whether there is a FAM on board. You may be called on to perform a duty such as occupying a spot in the cockpit if a pilot gets up to relieve, help in an evacuation, etc.

By: Jim Augspurger

Jim Augspurger — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 10:39:41 +0000

I would also add that after being approved by the gate agents that the jumpseater board last or near the end of boarding. Nothing like a jumpseater that preboards and then chats and stands in the way while I’m trying to get paperwork, preflight and get a drink of water, etc.