Jump seat
Encyclopedia
A jump seat in aviation refers to an auxiliary seat for individuals — other than normal passengers — who are not operating the aircraft. In general, the term 'jump seat' can also refer to a seat — in any type of vehicle — which can fold up out of the way; vehicles include carriages, automobiles, vans, busses, fire tenders, and taxicabs. The term originated in the USA circa 1860 for a movable carriage seat.
), government officials (such as Federal Aviation Administration
staff), or airline staff. The passenger cabin jump seats are used by the cabin crew, especially during takeoff and landing. These jump seats are normally located near to emergency exits so that flight attendants can quickly open the exit door for an emergency evacuation
. The passenger cabin jump seats usually fold out of the way when not in use to keep aisles, workspaces, and emergency exits clear.
Some aircraft do not have jump seats in the cockpit, while others have one or two. In most airliners, the observers' seats have an audio selector panel so that the observer can monitor or participate in flight communications. An oxygen mask is provided for each station. There can be extra flight attendant jump seats in the main cabin, depending on how the airline has configured its aircraft and how many on-duty flight attendants are staffed. Both types might be stand-alone seats, or folding. Either type of jump seat may sometimes be used by off-duty staff (or an employee of another airline or other person) engaging in non-revenue travel, when no passenger seats are available in the cabin (a practice known as jumpseating or deadheading). Increased security requirements for the flight deck since September 11, 2001
have meant a tightening of restrictions on who is allowed to use jump seats.
CASS (Cockpit Access Security System) is now used by most Part 121 US carriers as a means to allow a crew member to have access to a cockpit jump seat.
Aviation
In aircraft, jump seats — which are officially termed auxiliary crew stations — can be located in cockpits or passenger cabins. In cockpits, jump seats are provided for individuals who are not operating the aircraft. These might include trainee pilots, off-duty crew members in transition to another airport (see deadheadingDeadheading (aviation)
In aviation, deadheading is a term used when members of an airline's flight staff are carried free of charge but not working. This most often happens when airline crew are located in the wrong place and need to travel to take up their duties...
), government officials (such as Federal Aviation Administration
Federal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration is the national aviation authority of the United States. An agency of the United States Department of Transportation, it has authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S...
staff), or airline staff. The passenger cabin jump seats are used by the cabin crew, especially during takeoff and landing. These jump seats are normally located near to emergency exits so that flight attendants can quickly open the exit door for an emergency evacuation
Emergency evacuation
Emergency evacuation is the immediate and rapid movement of people away from the threat or actual occurrence of a hazard. Examples range from the small scale evacuation of a building due to a bomb threat or fire to the large scale evacuation of a district because of a flood, bombardment or...
. The passenger cabin jump seats usually fold out of the way when not in use to keep aisles, workspaces, and emergency exits clear.
Some aircraft do not have jump seats in the cockpit, while others have one or two. In most airliners, the observers' seats have an audio selector panel so that the observer can monitor or participate in flight communications. An oxygen mask is provided for each station. There can be extra flight attendant jump seats in the main cabin, depending on how the airline has configured its aircraft and how many on-duty flight attendants are staffed. Both types might be stand-alone seats, or folding. Either type of jump seat may sometimes be used by off-duty staff (or an employee of another airline or other person) engaging in non-revenue travel, when no passenger seats are available in the cabin (a practice known as jumpseating or deadheading). Increased security requirements for the flight deck since September 11, 2001
September 11, 2001 attacks
The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks (also referred to as September 11, September 11th or 9/119/11 is pronounced "nine eleven". The slash is not part of the pronunciation...
have meant a tightening of restrictions on who is allowed to use jump seats.
CASS (Cockpit Access Security System) is now used by most Part 121 US carriers as a means to allow a crew member to have access to a cockpit jump seat.