Thread: flight crews fly free

I've had jump priveledges for the longest time with the airlines, but the FAA decided to do away with mechanics in the cockpit. They went with allowing TAXI AND RUNUP qualified technicians jumpseat priveleges and decided to do away with that too. Guess the pilots are in cahootz with the FAA. Guess the pilots got tired of competing for the jump seats, they got it all to themselves now. I dont much give a crap either way anymore. I think riding jumpseat sucks. I've used it once or twice in a pinch out in the Pacific, but no need to use it here in the states with so many other options. Funny how the rules get changed around to convenience other groups after years of protocol. And I don't know how dispatchers get to keep their jumpseats over technicians. Uh???? What sux about the industry, no wonder attitudes run sour.

Dispatchers are required by the FAA to spend 5 hrs per year in the cockpit observing operations since there is joint legal responsibility in flight planning. So, that alone would require dispatchers the ability to have access to the cockpit.

I have no idea why they would remove the option for techs to sit up front.

Sorry but that 5 hours per year in the cockpit observing WHAT? Sounds very lame but I'm not trying to pick a fight with that group as to dispatchers priverledge. Technicians have taxi, run up, plus fix the planes pilots fly. Nobody is more qualified in the cockpit aside a pilot than a technician. It is what it is. FAA makes the rules for whatever purpose. Maybe some technician ticked off a pilot while jumpseating, who knows.

Be advised I mean no offense to you dispatchers. I'm glad they didn't take away your flight priveleges either. More power to you. I swear I'm not bitter on your part. Enjoy it while you have it. I've had the privelege before, I'm not bitter.

We techs do know its chicken shtt why we lost ours, but that was 3 years ago. I don't care really. You see, knife cuts both ways. Flight from here to Narita one day, pilot will want to know why something is wrong or not working, he may need the services of a mechanic that happens to be riding in the back. Not that I would do this or anything, but its possible he may get something like....."Sorry, put your complaint in the log book. I am not priveleged to be in the cockpit." Put it in the log book, they'll take care of it in Narita or maybe your flight dispacher riding with you on jumpseat knows a trick or two. Good luck."

Interesting how these procedures vary. Here in Europe, and elsewhere I believe other than the USA, who gets a jump seat is at the captain's discretion. And a life saver for many a non-rev on full flights. A request is made to the captain if all the standbys cannot be accommodated on standard passenger seats. Some captains prefer only flight crew, or those with experience flying jump, others are quite flexible. I've flown jump both cabin and cockpit on a couple occasions. Worst was a 9 hour transatlantic flight. Not a comfortable experience but the crew were great to me, in spite of the DYKWIA gold card passenger seated opposite complainng that I was taking up his precious leg space. One exception is for flights to and from the USA and the UK where only uniformed certified plots are allowed to fly in the cockpit, at least within their airpace

Originally Posted by 29palms

Sorry but that 5 hours per year in the cockpit observing WHAT? Sounds very lame but I'm not trying to pick a fight with that group as to dispatchers priverledge. Technicians have taxi, run up, plus fix the planes pilots fly. Nobody is more qualified in the cockpit aside a pilot than a technician. It is what it is. FAA makes the rules for whatever purpose. Maybe some technician ticked off a pilot while jumpseating, who knows.

I don't think this is a who knows more about the airplane issue. Dispatchers are trained in aircraft systems, but obviously know far less about them than MX does. The airplane wouldn't move from A to B without MX. All three groups are vital in keeping an airline running.

The reason dispatchers observe cockpit operations is simply because it improves the dx'ers knowledge/experience on how what you do affects those on the other end of the release, and vice versa.

When I am creating a flight release, selecting altitudes, routes, planning fuel loads, making enroute changes, sending ACARS messages, etc, how does that affect the flight crew? What phases of flight are the most demanding for them? What is the most effective means to communicate something important? Is the current iteration of the release the best possible, or are we burning 10 extra pages of paper that are unnecessary? These are all questions that can be answered by sitting with the crew while they actually do their job. Likewise, when pilots come sit in dispatch with us, they can see that we have more than just their flight on our desks, and that if we don't immediately answer them, it's more likely that we're taking care of another problem, not just reading a newspaper. It's intended to improve the communication from both sides.

I can't speak as to why the FAA removed your ability to ride up front.

Hey SKC, thanks for the insight. Really, I have no issue with dispatchers flying up in the cockpit. All I can really say about not flying in cockpit anymore, is that I'm glad I at least had that opportunity to do it many times. Seriously, I'm not bitter for you. Nothing gets me higher than to get to another country and walk around, visit new and interesting places. I never got super stoked in riding in the cockpit. You have to sit there like a bump on the log and keep your mouth shut. Interesting once or twice to see the pilots in action but that notoriety wore out on me. The only real adventure in flying for me would be to try some hand-gliding or para sailing. I'd much rather sit in a seat in the back or a FA's jump seat. I am not totally aware of all the dispatcher duties, what kind of training is involved, and what they bring to the table in education for hiring in as a dispatcher. I'd be lying if I did. The only thing that grabbed my goat a little is the sneaky way the Feds and pilots went about doing it. They really stunk up the joint.
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