So you finally made it to Indoctrination. Congratulations, now you have jump-seat privileges! So the big question is, “how do I exercise them??!”

First off, you should know that each airline has different rules for jump-seaters based on your affiliation with the other airlines. I only know what my limits are as an affiliate with my company. With United, I have to show up an hour prior to list for a jump-seat. While for Southwest, I can book through a common website called myidtravel.com days out from departure. Know that although you listed for a flight, you may be booted off and forced to find a ride elsewhere if someone more senior or company affiliated personnel show up. Jump-seat and standby flights ARE NOT GURANTEED. When traveling to get back to base, do not pick the last flight out or you may have to embarrassingly call your company and explain the situation.

While booking is different with each airline, there are some common rules too.

Some important ones to remember are:

 You must either be in uniform or in business casual clothes. Do not show up in sweats and expect to exercise jump-seat privileges. Remember, as a jump-seater, you are still considered a crew member and may be utilized to assist in case of emergency. Plus, when you wear that required crew badge, you are a reflection of the company you work for.

All prospect jump-seaters should show up at least 1 hour prior to the flight to prevent holding up the gate agent who is probably trying to get through a line of customers. If you show up at the last minute, the agent is probably going to make you last on their priority list.

As soon as you walk on to the aircraft as a non-revenue rider, walk up to the captain and introduce yourself. My company’s policy is that we actually still have to ask the captain if it’s okay to ride, even if the gate agent already got his approval.

If a cabin seat becomes available because Billy Bob overslept, a flight attendant will politely ask if you want to sit in the back. Unless a pilot goes out of his way to welcome you to the cockpit jump-seat, proper etiquette is to accept the cabin seat.

If you ride in the jump-seat, put everything back the way you found it after the flight. That includes picking up your trash.