Jumpseating from PHX to EWR on 1/16 and when I went to go introduce myself to the crew, the Captain was interested that I was a FedEx guy. It seems that he got stuck at an international destination for a few extra days trying to get out, and was a little annoyed that FedEx won't take him on an international jumpseat back to the US. I tried to explain to him that it wasn't FedEx's policy, but the FAA's (I was actually wrong on that point, it isn't FedEx OR the FAA, but the TSA's policy). He told me "it's not the FAA, it's FedEx." I tried to explain to him about our lack of a inflight security coordinator (i.e. Flight Attendant) and that our whole upper deck is considered the 'flight deck' and just like I can't jumpseat on USAir internationally on the flight deck, neither can we allow offline jumpseaters on our "flightdeck," which, unfortunately includes the courier compartment. I could tell he still wasn't buying it, because he could jumpseat internationally on Atlas.

I apologized that he had to spend a few more days out and offered to get him some more information about the international jumpseat prohibition. I don't know about why Atlas is different than us with regard to international jumpseating, but if there's an Atlas guy/gal on here, maybe they could explain.

Either way, if the Captain of USAir 687 PHX-EWR on 16 Jan 13 reads this forum, or someone know who he is, please point him here and pass this information along. Again, it's not FedEx who is denying the jumpseat internationally, but the TSA, and hopefully it will change sooner rather than later.

I appreciate the ride home and thanks for the hospitality.

Update to International Jumpseat

The TSA has had a prohibition on international jumpseating since 2001. You can't ride in an American, Delta or Continental cockpit right now just as they can't ride in ours. They have in-flight security coordinators designated behind the IRCD in flight--so they can extend an open cabin seat--ONLY--to a jumpseater. Our entire upper deck becomes the "flight deck" any time the IRCD is opened. Remember how we operated with the Supernumerary pilots being scheduled to ride in the back as in-flight security coordinators to try and keep up with TSA AOSSP mandates (Aircraft Operators Standard Security Program)? So, if you try to ride a US carrier abroad--you will be denied the cockpit just like are forced to deny the cockpit, by the regulators--not FedEx. The only exception to this is Puerto Rico--in which management--not ALPA has elected to leave closed. I have repeatedly ask them to open those stations--which are DOMESTIC as far as the TSA is concerned, and where we have other US carriers offering us the cockpit jumpseat.

Now, having said all this--there is potential relief on the way, which is leading to the rumors. Pistole, in response to a white paper I wrote in DC with ALPA National Staff, has finally approved international flight deck access via CASS to US carriers that maintain a MCL. We do. All long haul international US carriers do. However, this will come on just like the evolution of CASS. One carrier at time, and at a trickle. Just like CASS. Every air carrier has to change software, and amend all manuals and technical writing to incorporate this provision into their AOSSP and operations software. Plus--an operator can't even start until each air carriers individual TSA PSS initiates it. Further ARINC, the CASS server host, has to incorporate "fences" to maintain integrity of CASS access to the flight deck for those few air carriers that maintain an MCL only. If an off line CASS pilot gets into the flight deck abroad that is not on an MCL, that aircraft will not be allowed entry into US airspace. That check doesn't happen until four hours prior to that point. Therefore, any diversion would cost an airline hundreds of thousands of dollars and would risk operators opting out of CASS to prevent future problems.

So our hands--just as every other major airlines hands--are still somewhat tied by the regulators. I am sure you well know by now how fast regulation change takes place at the Federal government level of TSA and FAA. Ever heard of flight and duty times and the FAA reauthorization bill?

This is just another example of what ALPA does for you that gets no exposure. It's all going on, and the FedEx committees involved work it every day behind the scenes. Updates are communicated via the message line, the website, AirLine pilot magazine, P2P and textcaster. If you don't regularly visit those venues or have auto feed to your devices and email, I would highly recommend you do so that you get that information as soon as changes apply.

 

Dude, good write up, good info. Thanks.

 

Kalitta Air carries international jumpseaters as well. Domestic falls under CASS. International falls under FDAR. USAir and fedex do not show up on our list of about 50 approved operators.

 

Do you mean that we don't fall under a list that you guys can jumpseat on internationally, or that you can't take FedEx or USAir with you internationally?

 

For what it is worth...

FedEx pilots routinely jump with us out of HKG. So, it is utter bull that you can't jump internationally. From what we have been told, FedEx and UPS do not/will not comply with the daily scrub required for full CASS jump access. I think that management has tried to falsely blame this on the TSA. You can jump on Atlas, Evergreen, Kalitta, etc. with no problem.

I don't hold it against the individual pilots as most of them would surely repay the courtesy. The saga continues...

 

I don't even think that we (PSA, a wholly owned (or "unholy" owned, which ever you prefer)of US Airways) can occupy the jumpseat on a mainline US Airways international flight. Correct me if I am wrong somebody.

 

You are correct... you must be a mainline pilot on the Master Crew List to occupy a mainline cockpit on an international flight. TSA has removed their prohibition against international CASS, but no airline that I'm aware of has updated their manuals/procedures and systems to actually allow it to happen yet.

 

My document says reciprocal. So I assume that means both ways. Fedex and USAir are not on it.

 

PSA is on the list. We can take you around the world.

 

That's strange. Kalitta is on US Airways reciprocal list.