I was persuaded by a post some months ago that suggested that on each flight the crew should actually seek a passenger to place on the jumpseat.
Just like at present ABP's are selected for certain seats.
On most flights it is perfectly possible to find a passenger who is perhaps travelling with his/her children. Is an off-duty police officer or airport/airline worker with ID. Or is clearly the local Vicar.
He or She could be asked to volunteer to sit on the jumpseat - if there is nobody suitable or willing then so be it.
The advantages of them on the jumpseat are:
1) In many types their seat acts as a barrier to a flightdeck storming.
2) During such a storming they may actively defend the flightdeck.
3) Their presence acts as a defence against the FO as sleeper terrorist scenario.
4) Their presence acts as a defence against the Cabin Crew as sleeper terrorist.
Whatever, the current situation is ridiculous. Off duty, often positioning from home, pilots being refused the jumpseat is contemptuous. The authorities should not place those at the sharp end in a position whereby they are contemptuous of the rules or the rulemakers.
Elsewise the rules will be floated or at least there is a great temptation to flout the rules.
I fail to see anyway how the new rules would have prevented a Sept11th?
All manner of people these days have to submit to police background checks; nursey school assistants for example.
Would it not be reasonable to make a rule that the Captain could permit jumpseat use IF that person can present a police background check certificate. In this way Spouses, offspring and airline/airport workers could, at modest cost, enable their passage on the flightdeck at the Captains discretion.
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