Originally Posted by
Ottermatic
Has anyone ever heard of this before? Does US ever get pilots from other airlines (when they have a shortage?)?
As others have said, it was almost undoubtedly a commuting VX pilot riding the jumpseat. A pilot from another airline, even if qualified on the airplane, couldn't legally work a US flight or vice versa. Each airline has it's own training program which is approved by the FAA and no one who hasn't been through that training program can work one of their flights. Except for emergency situations like an incapacitated pilot where the other airline's pilot could assist in the cockpit, but that falls under the exemption from the rules in an emergency.
Jim