breakaway2000
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or just add the link here and I'll update the OP.
FAM Flight Tips/Tricks
- Thread starter breakaway2000
- Start date
GulfBravoPapa
⭐SuperStar
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Let me see if I can find it from home...
GulfBravoPapa
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It doesn't seem to be working right now... Maybe because I am doing it from a cell phone. But here is the link to where you fill out a request:
http://atcwebdev.faa.gov/FDTAS
Here is the whole FDT page... On the right side is a phone number if you need it.
U.S. Department of Transportation: My Access: Sign In
http://atcwebdev.faa.gov/FDTAS
Here is the whole FDT page... On the right side is a phone number if you need it.
U.S. Department of Transportation: My Access: Sign In
ArcherFlyer
Member
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Thank you for the information!
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- Facility
- MKC Kansas City Downtown Tower
Does anyone know how to get a waiver if you go past an 8 hour day? I'm not looking to get OT.
Strongwater
Member
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You have to put in the remarks that your layover time will not count towards your duty day and that only the time flying will count towards your 8 hour day. I had the same problem
DowntownTG
Active Member
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Essentially a split shift. So your shifts will be flight time and layovers will not count as part of your work shift.
DowntownTG
Active Member
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I've done about a dozen FDT's trips mostly on Delta metal. Here's what I've found.
Aircraft Jumpseat Info
1.) CRJ2 - Tight fit for shoulders and legs, Seat slides out from flight wall in front of the flight deck door. Cramped ride all around, try and avoid long distances. Standard rollaboard carry on will have to go in the closet outside of the flight deck.
2.) B739 - Just like a CRJ2 but with a comfortable amount of leg room (seat still slides out of wall at the flight deck door). Cramped but tolerable for longer distances since you can move your legs slightly. Standard rollaboard carry on will fit in a compartment behind the captain.
3.) A319 - Two jump seats, one on each side of the flight deck. Both fold down from the back flight deck wall. A comfortable amount of room, plenty of shoulder room and a just ok amount of leg room. There's enough room for both jump seats to be occupied and be able to shift the way you sit left/right for long flights. Standard rollaboard carry on will fit under your flap of a seat.
4.) B752 - One jump seat behind the captain that folds down from the rear flight deck wall. When the captain pushes his seat back (and most I've rode with do) you have 2-3" between the back of the captain's seat and the end of your flap to sit on meaning you will need to sit sideways for the entire flight. I did a ATL-SLC ride this way and it started to become quite painful after the first 2-hrs to be constantly contorted sideways. I would try and avoid this ride for longer flights if you have to sit sideways. But otherwise it's a decent view as it's theater style seating sitting about a foot above the pilots with a window. Standard rollaboard carry on will fit under the flap of your seat.
5.) B764 - One dedicated jump seat behind the first officer. There is a ton of space here and the seat is comfortable since this is an actual seat and not just a flap that folds out of the wall or from behind the wall. You may actually feel far away from the pilots when they turn around to talk to you during flight with how spacious the flight deck is. Ideal for longer trips. Standard rollaboard carry on will fit laying down in any nook or cranny.
6.) B744 - There are three dedicated jump seats; two behind the captain and one behind the first officer. These are actual seats and not flaps that fold down from walls. The seat furthest back is less than ideal since you will barely be able to hear the pilots during flight unless they shout with how far back you are. You also see nothing but sky during takeoff and landing from back there. The seat behind the first officer is the one you want because it will slide to the center of the flight deck. Ideal flight deck for long trips even with all three seats occupied. Mine was unfortunately a short ATL-DTW hop. Standard rollaboard carry on will fit laying down just about anywhere.
Tips/Tricks
1.) People at the airport understand "jump seat". People don't understand "flight deck training". The sooner you switch terms, the smoother things will go.
2.) TSA has no idea who you are or what you are doing. In order to avoid waiting for a supervisor I've found it is simpler to go to the ticket counter first and tell the agent you are trying to jump seat on a flight. Same deal as someone mentioned above, when they ask you for your airline just tell them to use ATC and they'll find you in the CASS. Once they do, they'll print out a boarding pass for you and this is what will let you breeze through TSA. They won't even give you a second look once you hand over a boarding pass from the airlines instead of the handwritten one your ATM or supe will give you.
3.) Even though you get a boarding pass from the ticket agent, you still need to go to the gate and have the gate agent check you in to the jump seat manually. You won't be able to board until they check you in manually at the gate.
4.) You are technically last on the priority list. However it pays to show up early and be first.
5.) If you are trying to FDT on one of your RDO's, get your RDO's swapped around before you submit your FDT paperwork.
6.) If you have lounge access via credit cards or other avenue that gives you access while flying on that certain airline that day, the jump seat boarding pass will suffice for entrance into the lounge. With the handwritten ones from your ATM, your mileage may vary.
Aircraft Jumpseat Info
1.) CRJ2 - Tight fit for shoulders and legs, Seat slides out from flight wall in front of the flight deck door. Cramped ride all around, try and avoid long distances. Standard rollaboard carry on will have to go in the closet outside of the flight deck.
2.) B739 - Just like a CRJ2 but with a comfortable amount of leg room (seat still slides out of wall at the flight deck door). Cramped but tolerable for longer distances since you can move your legs slightly. Standard rollaboard carry on will fit in a compartment behind the captain.
3.) A319 - Two jump seats, one on each side of the flight deck. Both fold down from the back flight deck wall. A comfortable amount of room, plenty of shoulder room and a just ok amount of leg room. There's enough room for both jump seats to be occupied and be able to shift the way you sit left/right for long flights. Standard rollaboard carry on will fit under your flap of a seat.
4.) B752 - One jump seat behind the captain that folds down from the rear flight deck wall. When the captain pushes his seat back (and most I've rode with do) you have 2-3" between the back of the captain's seat and the end of your flap to sit on meaning you will need to sit sideways for the entire flight. I did a ATL-SLC ride this way and it started to become quite painful after the first 2-hrs to be constantly contorted sideways. I would try and avoid this ride for longer flights if you have to sit sideways. But otherwise it's a decent view as it's theater style seating sitting about a foot above the pilots with a window. Standard rollaboard carry on will fit under the flap of your seat.
5.) B764 - One dedicated jump seat behind the first officer. There is a ton of space here and the seat is comfortable since this is an actual seat and not just a flap that folds out of the wall or from behind the wall. You may actually feel far away from the pilots when they turn around to talk to you during flight with how spacious the flight deck is. Ideal for longer trips. Standard rollaboard carry on will fit laying down in any nook or cranny.
6.) B744 - There are three dedicated jump seats; two behind the captain and one behind the first officer. These are actual seats and not flaps that fold down from walls. The seat furthest back is less than ideal since you will barely be able to hear the pilots during flight unless they shout with how far back you are. You also see nothing but sky during takeoff and landing from back there. The seat behind the first officer is the one you want because it will slide to the center of the flight deck. Ideal flight deck for long trips even with all three seats occupied. Mine was unfortunately a short ATL-DTW hop. Standard rollaboard carry on will fit laying down just about anywhere.
Tips/Tricks
1.) People at the airport understand "jump seat". People don't understand "flight deck training". The sooner you switch terms, the smoother things will go.
2.) TSA has no idea who you are or what you are doing. In order to avoid waiting for a supervisor I've found it is simpler to go to the ticket counter first and tell the agent you are trying to jump seat on a flight. Same deal as someone mentioned above, when they ask you for your airline just tell them to use ATC and they'll find you in the CASS. Once they do, they'll print out a boarding pass for you and this is what will let you breeze through TSA. They won't even give you a second look once you hand over a boarding pass from the airlines instead of the handwritten one your ATM or supe will give you.
3.) Even though you get a boarding pass from the ticket agent, you still need to go to the gate and have the gate agent check you in to the jump seat manually. You won't be able to board until they check you in manually at the gate.
4.) You are technically last on the priority list. However it pays to show up early and be first.
5.) If you are trying to FDT on one of your RDO's, get your RDO's swapped around before you submit your FDT paperwork.
6.) If you have lounge access via credit cards or other avenue that gives you access while flying on that certain airline that day, the jump seat boarding pass will suffice for entrance into the lounge. With the handwritten ones from your ATM, your mileage may vary.
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I have a question about flying jumpseat without the fdt program. My wife works for an airline so we fly standby often. I always introduce myself to the crew so they know they have an air traffic controller on board. After conversation I’ve often been asked if I would like to fly in the jumpseat with them on that trip without any solicitation on my end. I’ve always declined the opportunity but can we get in trouble for that? Also, would it report back to the FAA that I jumpseated if I took the opportunity?
Thanks! I love all the post on here they are very informative!
Thanks! I love all the post on here they are very informative!
breakaway2000
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In that situation it wouldn't be reported back to the FAA. There is no paper trail of you being in the CASS system. The pilots are essentially offering up a favor for you to have unauthorized flight deck access.
In my experience, nothing is reported back to the FAA even when on an official FDT trip.
Mike Kilo
Legendary Member
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Unless you have done FDT before and they wanted to log you in through CASS (I think it’s called) I don’t see how the FAA would find out.
But I would not risk it. I’ve heard horror stories before and I love my job. I consider it tied into the whole “you’re conduct outside the work place should reflect positively on the FAA and conform to the same standards as when you’re at work.”
So being air traffic and meeting with pilots feels like you would be representing ATC unofficially.
That said it sounds like you have an easy out with your wife getting you the jump seat because of her position, instead of air traffic discussions with the pilot.
But I would not risk it. I’ve heard horror stories before and I love my job. I consider it tied into the whole “you’re conduct outside the work place should reflect positively on the FAA and conform to the same standards as when you’re at work.”
So being air traffic and meeting with pilots feels like you would be representing ATC unofficially.
That said it sounds like you have an easy out with your wife getting you the jump seat because of her position, instead of air traffic discussions with the pilot.
OscarHotel
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Anyone know the current beard policies? I've heard different airlines have different rules (ie American is fine w/facial hair while others say no)
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I believe the clean shaven rule is an FAA rule for us, more to do with looking professional, not an airline rule. This is what has kept me from doing FDT even though I really want to but refuse to shave my beard.
Stinger
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As far as I'm aware it's an airline rule.
breakaway2000
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Correct, it's solely for the oxygen mask on board and being able to provide a tight seal.
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Oh nonsense. There's plenty of Airlines and air forces in the world that allow beards. It's been decades since the masks couldn't seal around a *trimmed* beard.
breakaway2000
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I've FAM-ed on AA multiple times. Business as usual, no need to check in 48 hours in advance.
Roger_Roger
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For jet blue it says to check in i believe 12 hours in advance. How and who do i check in with?
