Originally Posted by
mesasurvivor
As far as talking with the Captain...on the 20 minute turns typical of Southwest, it is almost impossible for the gate agent to deplane 137+ people, handle wheelchairs, and board 137+ in the 20 minute time frame. Anything that you can do to make their job easier is a huge help. Having someone request the Captain is just another unneeded task during a very hectic turn.
Another thing is that the way Southwest runs their operation. Gate Agents are just that and have no interaction with the flight crew unlike other airlines I've seen. Southwest has a whole different position that handles boarding and deplaning which does interact with the flight crew (paperwork, wheelchairs, etc). They are extremely busy for the most part the entire time the aircraft is on the ground and as soon as the plane is off the gate, they start (possibly at another gate) working the next flight to work.
The new computer system has been very difficult on jumpseaters because it is all electronic and if the information is not entered exactly it will be denied (for CASS). It should get a little better has some of the bugs are worked out.