The correct Jumpseat request
Hi all.
Cabin Crew probably get asked this all the time however I was wondering what your views are on how YOU think Pax should request the jumpseat.
I fly light aircraft under my Private Pilot Licence at the moment and I intend to start my Commercial Pilot training in the next few months
What I have done recently is to hand in my Private Pilot Licence with a note (which is addressed to the Captain) and I ask as soon as I board for the items to be passed onto the Captain.
I often wonder if that is the correct thing to do. That method seems to work ok with the Flight Crew but I have often wondered if from a safety/security point of view, passing a note to the Cabin Crew as soon as you board is good practice?
On a number of occasions the steward/hostie that receives the PPL and the note often thumbs though my licence and pauses for a moment while I get the impression that he/she is 'looking down at me'. In one case the hostess stood there while she looked at the blank side of the piece of paper while I said 'It is just a note'. However in most cases they are very polite when they come back with it! The last thing I want to be is a nuisance to Cabin Crew and you always get the odd stare from fellow passengers while you are seen handing this brown book (licence) and this folded note to the Cabin Crew while the flight is boarding.
Recently I have also dropped a hint and told them that it is a 'Request for the jumpseat' just to avoid any immediate confusion.
Some Cabin Crew do not hesitate and open the door and pass it straight through, on the other hand I get looks from Cabin Crew and I feel uneasy about simply asking for a jumpseat ride.
I was wondering if there is a better way of going about a request for the jumpseat. When the passengers board, the Cabin Crew are very busy and in some circumstances I leave the request to another flight because I can see that they are rushed off their feet. The last thing I want to do is hold up Cabin Crew and disrupt them in any way over a simple jumpseat request!!!!
What are your views?
MG
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