Originally Posted by
Atlas Shrugged
I would be careful of the use of "should". Here is a link to the regulation. I have not been able to find where it says that the Captain must verify this as it appears that it can be done by the gate agent.
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8900.1 Vol. 3 Ch 2 Sec 1, Exemptions, Deviations, Waivers, and Authorizations
F. Identity and Eligibility Verification Methods. The following guidance is to be addressed in operators’ procedures in verifying an individual’s identity and jump seat eligibility. Methods are arranged by type of operation.
1) Method #1: Passenger-Carrying Operations—Employees of the Part 121 Certificated Air Carrier, Wholly Owned Domestic Subsidiaries, or Domestic Code-Share Partners. Certificate holder procedures for accessing the flight deck (jump seat) must include verification of identity, employment status, and jump seat eligibility at gate check-in using the procedures outlined in subparagraph 3-46D.
2) Method #2: All Operations—Eligible Employees of Other Part 121 Certificated Air Carriers. Certificate holder procedures for accessing the flight deck (jump seat) must include verification of identity, employment status, and jump seat eligibility at gate check-in using the procedures outlined in subparagraph 3-46D and as follows:
a) Additional items for non-company flightcrew members accessing the flight deck:
1. Current medical certificate if the requester serves as a flightcrew member for his or her employer.
2. Appropriate airman certificate.
b) Flight deck access by non-company employees must also be authorized by the issuance of OpSpec A048.
It isn't that you SHOULD stop by the flight deck. It's that you MUST. If you are jumpseating you must ask the CA for permission. The agent verifies whether a pilot is in the CASS data base because pilots do NOT have the ability to do so. The CA can't see who is or isn't in CASS. CASS is what allows us to occupy the flight deck Jumpseat of an airline other then our own.
Not every pilot group is in CASS(although most are now). So let's say pilot from ABC airlines(ABC pilots are not in CASS) wants to Jumpseat on XYZ airlines. He checks in at the gate, and the agent sees that he is NOT in CASS. He may NOT occupy the Jumpseat of XYZ airlines, but he may occupy an open cabin seat. However, he is still jumpseating and therefore MUST request permission from the CA for a free ride. If the cabin fills up with revenue and non revenue passengers, pilot from ABC airlines is left behind.