Pilot Jumpseat
The Jumpseat is physically an auxiliary seat located in the
cockpit of most airline aircraft, on some larger aircraft there may be mulpiple
jumpseats located in the cockpit.The
jumpseat is physically an auxiliary seat located in the cockpit of most airline
aircraft, on some larger aircraft there may be multiple jumpseats located in the
cockpit.
These seats are occupied during flights by several different crewmembers and
officials at various times; some examples are, Airline Check Airmen conducting
line checks, FAA Inspectors conducting checks, Mechanics on Maintenance flights,
Relief Pilots during long flights requiring additional crew, and Pilots
traveling in a non-revenue status on personal travel. This last category of
Pilot traveling on personal "non-rev" status is considered an Additional
Crewmember (ACM).
The Jumpseating pilot is considered to be an extra set of eyes in the cockpit,
an added level of safety, and in today’s day and age an extra security barrier.
A pilot can consider this longstanding tradition of airline pilot Jumpseating,
which has been negotiated and protected by union pilots, as a privilege and
professional courtesy. The ultimate jurisdiction over the seat rests on the
shoulders of the Captain, the Pilot in Command. When looking to use a Jumpseat
pass it is the responsibility of the requesting pilot to approach the Captain
and request the use of their additional cockpit seat, this courtesy is rarely
ever denied. Today, most airlines allow unlimited pilot jumpseaters, this
meaning that if all cockpit jumpseats are occupied then any open cabin seat is
considered an available jumpseat. lable jumpseat.
Why is this courtesy important to pilots? Because the majority of pilots in the
US do not live in the city that their airline is based at, and this jumpseat
privilege allows an active pilot to commute to work or travel for pleasure from
outside their pilot domicile. History has shown that airlines open and close
bases, sometimes at a rather fast pace, and other times pilots must find new
employment due to a furlough or complete failure of an airline. This jumpseat
privilege allows pilots to continue to live a rather stable lifestyle while
their career may take them geographically elsewhere.
How To Ask For The Jumpseat?
When looking to ride the Jumpseat it is important to remember that this
professional courtesy is extended by the Captain of the flight and not a gate
agent, flight attendant, or other airline employee. Always be sure to report to
the Captain when boarding the aircraft. It is generally acceptable to ask a
flight attendant if you may approach the cockpit and they will often notify the
crew that a jumpseater would like to speak with the Captain. When introducing
yourself be sure to have your airline crew badge, pilots certificate,1st class
medical, and jumpseat form ready to present to the Captain. Always ask for the
courtesy of jumpseating. A common error new pilots make, that can lead to a
rather less than hoped for response, is to introduce themselves and say that
they are jumpseating with the crew, prior to asking the Captain for the
courtesy.
Reciprocal Jumpseats Agreements
You will be happy to hear that as an Airline Pilot you will be able to utilize
this professional courtesy on almost all US based carriers. Pilots at each
individual airline make arrangements with each other through the pilots groups’
Jumpseat Coordinator. These reciprocal jumpseat agreements allow pilots much
broader travel ability.
The Sterile Cockpit
Always ensure you listen to the crews safety brief and any additional
information they may have. Also, Ensure that you follow the sterile cockpit
rules under FAR 121.542:
(a) No certificate holder shall require, nor may any flight crewmember
perform, any duties during a critical phase of flight except those duties
required for the safe operation of the aircraft. Duties such as company required
calls made for such nonsafety related purposes as ordering galley supplies and
confirming passenger connections, announcements made to passengers promoting the
air carrier or pointing out sights of interest, and filling out company payroll
and related records are not required for the safe operation of the aircraft.
(b) No flight crewmember may engage in, nor may any pilot in command permit, any
activity during a critical phase of flight which could distract any flight
crewmember from the performance of his or her duties or which could interfere in
any way with the proper conduct of those duties. Activities such as eating
meals, engaging in nonessential conversations within the cockpit and
nonessential communications between the cabin and cockpit crews, and reading
publications not related to the proper conduct of the flight are not required
for the safe operation of the aircraft.
(c) For the purposes of this section, critical phases of flight includes all
ground operations involving taxi, takeoff and landing, and all other flight
operations conducted below 10,000 feet, except cruise flight.
Note: Taxi is defined as “movement of an airplane under its own power on the
surface of an airport.”
Though we hope to have explained the courtesy of jumpseating and the correct way
to approach the Captain we have intentionally left the paperwork and security
process rather vague because these are details only useful to pilots actually
flying the line. When hired at an airline please ask your check airman or Union
Jumpseat coordinator about the specific procedures at that time.