Hmm.....
Prior to 9/11, I used to jumpseat on UA constantly from LAX and SFO to HKG and back. All I paid was the departure tax ex HKG (which was 'peanuts'). UA was kind enough to offer me F or J class, even provide me with a F or J class meal. At the end of the flight, as I would go up to thank the guys up front for their kindness, I'd be thanked by the crew for flying with them ! Those were the days....
Domestic U.S. was just as good - I used HP (America West) and they too were just as professional as well as accommodating. Prior to 9/11, we actually were on HP's jumpseat list !! I saw their list and we were there amongst EVA, SQ, NCA, JAL, to name a few. WN also allowed us to jumpseat albeit we weren't on their list.
Apple Tree Yard mentioned our previous DFO, a regular 'Mr. Personality' refusing to reciprocate the jumpseat privilege. True....but even so, we still were on HP's and JetBlue's list. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe there was a B744 Capt. who was living in the Caribbean, commuting to our (then) pax JFK base who was on the AOA Commitee. It was because of him that we were fortunate enough to be placed on a couple of U.S. airlines jumpseat lists.
Having come from a previous US carrier like Teedub, I agree that if you have been exposed to such privileges, you suffer from JWS.
The economic times have changed, this is a new benchmark we are dealing with, the "good ol' days" are just that.
