Why is it called a Jumpseat?

[Back Course Bandit]

G'day All,

Just pondering (as I often do) the other day why on earth the spare seats in the flight deck are referred to as "jumpseats"?

I couldn't even think of one good reason.

Cheers,
BCB

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"You've always been a cunning linguist James" - Miss Moneypenny

[redsnail]

I guess if you sit in them long enough you can't wait to jump out? I dunno.. I was just guessing. ;)

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reddo...feral animal!

[Speedbird252]

maybe a good place to jump a stewardess?

Na, im curious too.

[hasell]

Ahh, I asked the same question on this forum back in 2000 -got no response. So maybe, hopefully someone can tell me ...sorry I mean us!

[Luftwaffle]

A folding extra seat in any vehicle is called a jumpseat. The definition of jump in my dictionary starts off with "move up off ground, etc. by bending ..."

Well, that's what most jumpseats do, move up out of the way by bending. (Not to mention wiggling, slapping with your fist, cursing, unfolding to disentangle the seatbelt, latching ... and then realizing you've left your sunglasses in the cubbyhole behind the folded seat).

It's not an etymology to bet your life on, but I'd bet a beer on it.