I assume that even though I'm a private pilot trained under part 121, then I still can't jumpseat?

Part 121 specifically pertains to airline ops in the USA. It's not a part of the FARs dedicated to receiving ratings and training. All that stuff is found in Part 141 and Part 61. Im sure you meant to say you were trained under Part 141 not Part 121.I also think that there is some stuff under Part 121 pertaining to how the airlines can train thier new hires and/or what needs to be done and all the logistics behind training new hire flight crews.

Part 121 specifically pertains to airline ops in the USA. It's not a part of the FARs dedicated to receiving ratings and training. All that stuff is found in Part 141 and Part 61. Im sure you meant to say you were trained under Part 141 not Part 121.I also think that there is some stuff under Part 121 pertaining to how the airlines can train thier new hires and/or what needs to be done and all the logistics behind training new hire flight crews.

Yes, you are right. I got excited for just a moment, but I was trained under 141. Doh!

I know in the US you have to be part of the United States Department of Homeland Security master crew list. This typically only includes pilots, FAs, dispatchers and AMEs. Now depending on your countries laws, and I'll use my company as a example, any employee of the airline with a airport security pass is eligable to fly jumpseat. I have flown jumpseat 6-7 times now domestically within canada during my personal travels and the flight is full. I have lucked out a few times and been able to ride up front when I mention that I work in Operations, and would enjoy the time up front. Most crews are surprized someone actually wants to sit in the most uncomfortable seat in the house, but are more then willing to have you as their guest. Basically you have to be a industry insider for most airlines, and in the US you have to be in specific job roles.

Basically you have to be a industry insider for most airlines, and in the US you have to be in specific job roles.

I searched on some other websites and that is what everybody say. My country doesn't have any terrorist experience and I don't know how the laws actually have been changed around here latelly. Once, about a year ago, I asked if I could visit the cockpit during flight and the FA said that it's prohibited because of the events of 9/11. When we arrived and parked at the gate the FA let me go to the cockpit and I could talk to the pilots and see the cockpit.Anyway, my father has a friend who works for the airline I'll fly with as a flight attendant. Maybe that could make things easier for me. But I'm not taking my hopes very high.

OK this is the skinny in jumpseat access in the US as I've lived it. I'm a non-pilot airline employee with unlimited flightdeck jumpseat access, and this is why. As many have more or less said here already, you MUST be a flight deck crew member (no flight attendants) of a part 121 or 135 certificate holder, and have a JACS agreement with that airline. So, if you're a pilot for the airline you are employed by, you many ride in the jump. If you are a pilot and want to ride in another airlines jumpseat, your airline must have a JACS agreement with that airline (JACS-Jumpseat Access Control).Now the exceptions. At my airline, certified A&P certificate holders employed by that airline may ride in the jumpseat. This is allowed by the FAA, but some airlines choose to restrict this access under their own policy. The other exception is the one that I fall under. ANY EMPLOYEE of an part 121 or 135 operator may have jumpseat access if your job code has been approved by the FAA as needing access to the flightdeck jumpseat as part as their job function. This is the one that not many people know about or understand. Basically, if your job position (safety, compliance, over-site) requires access to the jump, then the company can submit a request to the FAA with a justification for access for that position (not the person) and if granted, that position will be given unlimited access. Thats how it works as far as I know.

Work for an airline, I jumpseat all the time. Nice old 727's that the pilots actually have to fly. Been on our 767 a couple times, it nice but not as much fun as the pilots only takeoff and then push 3 or 4 buttons and sit there the rest of the flight reading the paper. It is cool though.Corey Prefontaine CYEG

OK this is the skinny in jumpseat access in the US as I've lived it. I'm a non-pilot airline employee with unlimited flightdeck jumpseat access, and this is why. As many have more or less said here already, you MUST be a flight deck crew member (no flight attendants) of a part 121 or 135 certificate holder, and have a JACS agreement with that airline. So, if you're a pilot for the airline you are employed by, you many ride in the jump. If you are a pilot and want to ride in another airlines jumpseat, your airline must have a JACS agreement with that airline (JACS-Jumpseat Access Control).Now the exceptions. At my airline, certified A&P certificate holders employed by that airline may ride in the jumpseat. This is allowed by the FAA, but some airlines choose to restrict this access under their own policy. The other exception is the one that I fall under. ANY EMPLOYEE of an part 121 or 135 operator may have jumpseat access if your job code has been approved by the FAA as needing access to the flightdeck jumpseat as part as their job function. This is the one that not many people know about or understand. Basically, if your job position (safety, compliance, over-site) requires access to the jump, then the company can submit a request to the FAA with a justification for access for that position (not the person) and if granted, that position will be given unlimited access. Thats how it works as far as I know.

Is JACS the same as CASS?

Yes it its. Some carriers accept CASS, others are part of the JACS system.

I used to jumpseat on my ID90 tickets twice a month for over ten years up till 9/11 :( it was common that when the flight was full staff would fight over seats and the 'unlucky' one's would get a jumpseat. The check in people used to think I was crazy when I would let another staff member take my seat and I would volunteer to ride upfront for 7 hours OBBI -EGLL at the time best thing was I could have a smoke! (Stupid I know) Talk about taking something for granted...Not a chance nowaday's unless your deadheading. Put it this way, I know of a long service 777 captain out in the Gulf who got fired for letting his wife sit on the jumpseat out of Heathrow quite recently. Sad time we live in.Btw - The hosty seats are also called jumpseats, I learnt quite quickly when I volunteered and ended up sat in the galley all night.

really! The guy in command got fired just for that? The pilot in command is not allowed to let his family in the cockpit? Just sadJoe Barton

In June I'll be out for a trip (in the 737 :() and I'd really love to have an opportunity to jumpseat. The thing is: I have no idea about how to achieve this. I know that many people in this forum have already had this great opportunity, so I want to ask: how did you do this? Did you just came talking to the pilots? Did you asked for permission directly from the airline? And please, share your experiences. PS.: I know that after 9/11, things are much harder and some airlines and aviation authorities simply forbid this practice, but I'll give it a try anyway.PS 2.: The trip is not to or from the US or Europe, so what are my chances now?

Hi Matheus,Assuming the rules/regs/laws don't expressly forbid jumpseating in your country (or your destination) and assuming you don't know anyone personnally in the airline you're going to fly, I would suggest to try the following :1- Find out the service in charge of PR/communication/advertisement and write them a short letter stating who you are (especially your age and passion for aviation and especially the 737 etc.) and asking if it would be possible to jumpseat or at least visit the cockpit during your trip.2- I don't know if you are at school or college or working or else but maybe you could even say you would like to write a story for your school/club/any organization magazine or any other private publication (you get the idea but don't overdo it, you are - probably - not Bob Woodward :( ).3- If this doesn't work, maybe you could take the time to prepare a very short letter explaining your passion for aviation (and mentioning your age, especially if you are young) and respectfully asking the captain to visit the cockpit or even to jumpseat. Prepare such a letter in an open enveloppe for each leg of your trip and ask the attendant to kindly pass it to the captain when boarding.I think a polite letter, providing it is VERY short and to the point, is better than a verbal message and should better get the captain's attention (especially if everyone is in a rush)I have absolutely no certitude about your chances but it never hurts to ask. Who knows? You might get lucky. I think a lot of people react kindly when they see passion combined with planning, boldness and perseverance !Hope this helps,Bruno PS (edit). If your father knows a flight attendant, ask him to check a few days in advance if he knows anyone on the flight(s). A friend - or someone he knows - would be an ideal messenger for your request to the captain.

I work as cabin crew, and I may say that for the past six months, doing sometimes 6 sectors a day, 5 days in a row, I haven't seen anyone from outside the company being allowed inside the f/d.. Guess it's really hard nowadays. I know that at least in the company I work for cabin crew/pilots who work for the company are allowed to jumpseat all the time while traveling, but other than flight crew I never saw anyone inside the f/d ever. A lot of passengers ask us for it though, most of the times they ask if it is possible for us to take their children inside so he/she can see the f/d, but unfortunately even with children there's nothing we can do about it :(.

The simple answer is this:If you are authorized to be on the flight deck, you already know the procedure to gain access. If you don't already know the procedure, you aren't authorized to be up there anyway.I'm not trying to sound sarcastic but that pretty much sums it up.Conn McCarthy

Basically illegal for anyone who is not flight crew to do it in the US unfortunately. ATC can too I believe, but it's only under special circumstances.

Naw we can't do it anymore either... ATC used to fam all the time... you'd think guys with background checks and clearance would be able to lol!

Getting a ride on the jumpseat is very difficult but it happends on some occasions it depands on the airline and the captain i personally have never been in the jumpseat but i know someone who managed it. I can't describe it in all detail but i'll give it try.What he did was making pics of his FS from the flight he was doing that day he also made a report from the flightplanning and fuel calcultions he all printed it out put it in a map and when he got onboard he asked the stewardess if she could give the map to the captain and asked if he could make some remarks on all of it.So he went to his seat and about 10 minutes later the stewardess went to him and said that the captain wanted to talk to him so at the flightdeck the captain asked him if he was familliar with jumpseat procedures that's how he managed it.I don't know if this works for you but you can give it a try.

If you're a beautiful girl, better than hostess. The captain will make you well up on his knees :(