Jumpseat agreement vs passes ?

[DeltaHotel]

Quick question ...

When one says "company X has jumpseat agreement with AC, Westjet or Jazz". Does it mean Zfare access for personal travel or strickly deadheading on the jump ?

What about the wife and kids ? Can they benefit from that ?

Jumpseat agreement sounds to me like it's deadheading only but im kinda hoping it's implied more as a travel benefit.

[El Comat]

The jumpseat agreement allows pilots (not family members) to ride for free (in most cases) on other airlines. You don't need to be going to work, it can be for pleasure as well. Every airline has their own arrangements as to how many jumpseaters can be on the plane at once. For example, AC/Jazz can only take the same number of jumpseaters as there are physical jumpseats in the cockpit (1 cockpit jumpseat means one jumpseater in the back), while WJ will take as many jumpseaters as can fit in empty seats in the back.

Most airlines do not charge for the jumpseat, but even if they do, it's normally much less than the cost of a ZED fare. When I lived in Thunder Bay, I used the WJ jumpseat agreement a few times to get to work, and it cost about $7.00 I think.

TC has once again given us the privilege to open our jumpseats to pilots of other airlines, as long as we have the necessary protocol setup in our COM. I haven't heard of any airlines that have taken advantage of this new rule.

EC

[J.P.WISER]

The Jump seat agreement was introduced to keep passes out. Slowly it looks like airlines are removing passes! By adding the jump seat agreement, "I think was one way that they could keep enough of ALPA and the pilots happy without having to give everyone passes" just my 2 cents.

Keep in the back of your mind how nice it is to say to the wife and kids "oh no you can't come to Vegas with us, it's jump seat only see ya in a few days".

One nice thing of being in the airline business is and was having airline passes. It looks like that is on the way to the end. I thought that if any group was going to fight to keep passes alive it would have been ALPA, but maybe the jump seat agreement is a good compromise.

Anyone else want to weigh in on this topic????

[Pugster]

Reciprocal jumpseat agreements are great if you're using them for commuting, but just like traveling on standby, I'd never do it if I was going on vacation. At this point my vacation time is worth way more than the money to travel on a confirmed ticket...and the wrath that would be faced if my wife arrived days earlier...or maybe she would be happy ...

There are some ALPA agreements out there stateside as well with US carriers. Hawaiian Airlines comes to mind. If you're an ALPA member check out the website or talk to your reps and they may be able to provide you with more information.

[ajet32]

Jump seats are designed for commuting not for pleasure. I t allows pilots at various airlines a way to live some where other than you base or domicile.
Not a substitute for pass travel. The jump has been available for years it was restricted after 9-11.

[ils09]

Nowhere does it say that recip jumpseat is for commuters only. It is a benifit shared by pilots. On a first come first serve basis, and at the discretion of the captain. One would hope that if 2 pilots were standing by for one jumpseat that the individual traveling for pleasure would have the decency to give the commuter who has to get to work first crack at it. This is how most of the captains will designate the jumpseat anyways.

It is a privilege that should not be abused and common courtesy should always prevail but there is no problem in using recip jumpseat for pleasure travel in my eyes.

[flygirl123]

But getting free passes for your family isn't it also a great benefit to become a pilot? Sure, there is other benefits such as health and other but that's what everyone else gets. Jumpseat is great for pilots. But, free limited passes will be great.
What do you guys think?
Is ALPA pilots in canada getting free passes anymore?

[Liquid Charlie]

Jump seats are designed for commuting not for pleasure. I t allows pilots at various airlines a way to live some where other than you base or domicile.
Not a substitute for pass travel. The jump has been available for years it was restricted after 9-11.

Bingo -- it's prime reason is to get to and from work - it's how most get to work south of 49

Passes and zeds are a different kettle of fish -- negotiated between companies for all employees and their immediate families(in most cases)

ALPA members do not get any "special" passes but ALPA does allow networking between jumpseat committees so it only appears that it is ALPA specific and membership allows passes.

BTW jumpseat is a misnomer - seating is always in the cabin.