Originally Posted by
73qanda
Does it only exist because you can ride the jump seat though?
Depends where you are but that’s not really the driver now where I am....at a guess we have rather more than 1% that commute by air, and it certainly isn’t jumpseat access that has caused it (and FWIW due to our regs we pay even for a jumpseat ride, unless it’s a domestic flight), it’s more that fares structures have made it more viable economically.
A basic standby on our own airline possibly costs more than a full fare with the Loco which often serves the same city pair, and a discounted full fare with our own airline can sometimes be only marginally more expensive than the staff standby,possibly jumpseat ticket, on the same flight....so I’d suggest lifestyle choices/base closures/employer changes plus the need for family stability have probably caused many to commute.