I'm gonna agree with the first few posters. Most likely inconsiderate/incompetent gate agent that didn't know what they were doing. Ever since DL/NW switched from their veteran ground handlers to the contract workers, I've noticed this trend with the jumpseat listing. I even had a gate agent in JAN tell an FAA guy he couldn't ride jumpseat because she couldnt figure out CASS. Hopefully as they have been there longer AND the agents that don't care about other employees get weeded out things will improve.
If i remember correctly, this summer was about the time they switched from regular veteran NWA employees at TYS to contract workers, so that's why I'm guessing it was agent error.