Yesterday, I JS'ed on B6 for the first time since they began requiring that we (offline guys) list using the MYIDTravel website. I did this and was surprised to receive a regular style JetBlue reservation confirmation email, which had the option to check-in for the flight, which I did.

I got to the gate about 45 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time, approached the gate agent and explained that I'd like to JS. She told me to sit down and she'd call my name when she had time.

After the entire boarding process, I was called. It was very close to scheduled departure time. She asked if I was CASS and said if I wasn't, she won't delay the flight to "CASS me." I told her that I'd listed on MYIDTravel, as my airline has instructed us to do. I quickly and politely reminded her that I identified myself as a JS'er 45 minutes prior. I assumed if there was anything else required of me, she would have told me at that point.

She again told me she would not delay the flight for me and that I knew I should have seen customer service "to be CASSed." Again, I politely explained I thought I had followed the required procedure.

In the end, she gave me an old style paper JS request form to fill out and sent me down the jet bridge with a boarding pass for a seat in the cabin. Of course, I stopped to introduce myself to the CA and ask for a ride.

I'm not posting to complain. I simply want to know what procedure I should be following in the future to make sure I'm "CASSed" (and able to sit in the cockpit, if need be). Is there something I should have done differently?

Thanks for the ride and the info!

Tipsy

 

Sounds like the agent was having a bad day. You will always have an old school paper Jumpseat request form. If you need to be CASS approved, the section for that is on the top. If you were in JFK, the help desk can CASS you if the gate agent is busy. Sorry you didn't have a great experince at the gate. Usually, the agents will CASS you right away if there is any question to needing the Jumpseat.

 

Yes, it was JFK. I did notice a help desk near the gate, but no one was working there.

In the future, I'll find a manned help desk or at the very least, ask for a paper JS form from the gate agent before I have a seat.

Thanks for the info.

Tipsy

 

I'd email your jumpseat coordinator who will get in touch with ours and hopefully send a friendly reminder email to that particular agent on what the proper procedure is. You didn't do anything wrong and I'm sorry you had to deal with that. Our gate agents are now part of an incentive program for on time flights. I can't see that helping the situation. So anybody that has any issues whatsoever please email your jumpseat coordinator with details. 99% of our agents are great but occasionally a bad apple slips through the cracks.

 

Always do two things when you ride with us....

1. List on idtravel. That will of course list you for the flight and give you a confirmation number. Check in with it ASAP 24 hours prior, that locks in your S8 (OAL) check in time on the standby list. This way if there's say 5 open seats and you're number 5 on the priority list because you checked in before the other OAL S8 priority non-revs, the seat is yours first.

2. When you get to the airport, make the "just ask" desk your first stop as early as possible. They will give you the form to fill out and have them CASS you. Either way, seat or Jumpseat, you will need the form so just get one and get the CASS signed off. Doing this they will also write in the time on that form. That time is ...."supposed"....(your results may vary by gate agent) to be the jumpseat priority for you and any other OAL jumpseater. If 3 OAL riders show up to an Airbus and jumpseats are all we got, the earliest 2 check-ins should get it. So when you show up to T5, get the form done before you go to the food court or something.

I became quite good at JS on us before I got hired, learned the ropes pretty well as I was JFK/LGA based

 

Thanks again for the information. Very helpful.

Tipsy

 

I think that is mostly correct, except for the part about checking in at the airport having any effect on your jumpseat priority. The priority is set by the check in time up to 24 hrs prior whether for the cabin seats or the jumpseat for offline pilots. Otherwise it is correct.

 

While it is recommended to list via myidtravel it is not mandatory. You can list at the gate up to 10 minutes prior to departure for that last minute commute. Anyone that tells you otherwise is being lazy.

If you have a problem try to speak with the PIC if you can't then file a complaint with your jumpseat committee so they can follow up with JB's committee.






Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

The easiest thing to do if it's last minute and you can't list for the flight on myIDTravel - list for the next one (even if it's tomorrow) and tell them you made the earlier flight and see if they'll transfer you. I've seen them turn people away because they're not listed, and they'll tell you to list. Buy myIDTravel won't let you if it's too close to departure time.

 

Go to the just ask desk. They'll hook you up.