You may have heard a pilot say they are jumpseating to work or riding the jumpseat home and wondered what it means. Well, these terms are used to describe a valuable resource many pilots use each day to get to and from work.
The jumpseat is literally an auxiliary seat located in the cockpit of most airline aircraft, Jumpseats are typically smaller foldout seats occupied during flight by an Additional Crew Member (ACM). Some larger aircraft may have multiple jumpseats located in the cockpit i.e. the Boeing 757.
On some occasions crewmembers designated as Check Airmen or FAA inspectors occupy the seat to perform crew observations or inspections. Other times on long flights, a relief pilot (IRO) is required as an additional pilot to provide adequate rest for all crew members. One key use for pilots is the privilege of occupying the jumpseat in a non-revenue status for personal travel. This last use is where the term jumpseating is most commonly applied. It refers to a pilot using the jumpseat, when available and permitted by the captain, to travel for free.
Why is jumpseating important to pilots?
Pilots typically use this form of travel as a means of getting to and from work. Because many pilots do not live where they are based the jumpseat privilege allows active pilots to commute to work or travel for pleasure from outside their pilot domicile. History has shown that airlines open and close bases as needed operationally which may pose a negative impact on a pilot’s personal life if they have to bare the burden of constantly moving due to changes in pilot domiciles. Sometimes these domicile changes happen often or 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 more stable lifestyle while their career may place their employment elsewhere geographically.
Are there benefits to having a jumpseater?
The Jumpseating pilot is considered to be an additional crew member (ACM), an extra set of eyes in the cockpit, an added level of safety, and in today’s day and age an extra security barrier. Pilots should 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 utilize the jumpseat for travel it is the responsibility of the requesting pilot to approach the Captain and request the use of their additional cockpit seat. Though this courtesy is rarely denied to an appropriately qualified pilot, it is a courtesy on behalf of the Captain and should be requested rather than expected. Today most airlines allow unlimited pilot jumpseaters, this means that if all cockpit jumpseats are occupied then any open cabin seat is considered an available jumpseat at no cost.