A B737-300 PLT WAS DISTR DURING COCKPIT SETUP AND FAILED TO ENERGIZE THE CTR FUEL TANK PUMPS.

Narrative

WHILE THINKING ABOUT TURNING ON THE CTR TANK PUMPS DURING THE BEFORE START FLOW; I WAS DISTR BY AN OFF-LINE JUMPSEATER WHO WAS BEING FORCED UP TO THE COCKPIT JUMPSEAT DUE TO LACK OF SEAT AVAILABILITY IN THE CABIN. WHEN I CONTINUED MY BEFORE START FLOW; I FORGOT TO TURN ON THE PUMPS. I REMEMBER THINKING DURING CLBOUT ABOUT WHEN I WOULD BE TURNING THE PUMPS OFF; BUT SINCE I WAS IN A -300; I DID NOT WORRY AS MUCH ABOUT IT SINCE I KNEW I COULD JUST RUN THEM UNTIL I GOT THE FUEL PUMP LOW PRESSURE LIGHT. IT TURNS OUT THAT THE JUMPSEATER WAS VERY TALKATIVE AND; AS A RESULT; I PAID NO FURTHER ATTN TO THE CTR TANK FUEL. THE RESULT WAS THAT I NEVER TURNED THE PUMPS ON AND LANDED WITH ONLY 1000 LBS IN EACH WING TANK AND 5000 LBS STILL IN THE CTR. I THINK THAT A BRIEF REMINDER TO STAY ON GUARD WHILE JUMPSEATERS ARE PRESENT PUBLISHED IN THE COMPANY PUB WOULD BE SUFFICIENT. I KNOW THAT THIS CANNOT BE THE FIRST TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED; AND WILL NOT BE THE LAST TIME; BUT READING ABOUT IT IN A PUB WILL REDUCE THE FREQUENCY.