The requirement for a passport has been removed from our FOM. The problem is, no one ever told the gate agents.

 

The passport was only a temporary requirement (TSA) until all airlines were photo compliant and the deadline for airlines to be compliant with photos in CASS has long passed. Most airlines no longer require the passport.

 

I understand your point of view as I know you must understand mine. I, as you, have great insight, through colleagues, on this issue and as we differ and is quite evident on this forum, there are many different thoughts and opinions and all are strongly thought to be correct. That is why I asked the question and started this threat to begin with.

I think the only thing that has been established here is that, at least on this one issue, either the airlines or TSA, mainly TSA in my view, have created much confusion as usual. The fact that so many different opinions are represented here is a testiment to how divided the industry is on this relatively simple issue and how overwhelmingly unorganized our procedures have gotten. This is an unnecessary challenge. This is one of many examples that we run into on daily bases and they need to be corrected one by one.

Im not here to change the industry, but I will do what I can to figure out if I understand the situation correctly and formulate a solution the either works for me or the problem as a whole.

As far as the other poster mentioning fighting for QOL and pay first, I think problems such as this are a major part of Quality of life and are worth discussing.

Thanks for reading, posting, and discussing.

 

Finally . . . the correct answer. Thank you 'exp96'!

If you're asked for your passport when using CASS, the agent is either asking b/c they are poorly trained and no longer need to see it, or the agent's company has a procedure that requires the passport.

Please consider contacting your jumpseat chair for details.

 

You are incorrect.

The passport was a TSA requirement in order to get CASS up and running during the testing phase of things. A picture was the original intent, but since AA had green screens (at the time), and was the one of the first to go live during the test TSA allowed the passport to be substituted. After 18 months of testing TSA opened CASS to all eligible carriers and informed all carriers that they had 1 year to comply with the picture requirement. Unfortunately, many carriers (SWA, DAL, AA, UAL etc) had a passport requirement written in their Ops Specs (A048), and when the picture requirement became mandatory most did not change their Ops Specs to reflect the "no passport requirement" that TSA had since rescinded after pictures became mandatory. I beleive SWA, AA, and a few others have since removed the passport requirement from their Ops Specs, but the agents themselves weren't (or didn't bother to learn) informed of these changes.

Pictures are required for cockpit access. CASS is required for cockpit access. Passports may or may not be required for cockpit access depending on the company, and their Ops Specs (and their agents in some cases). Passport information is NOT required to be part of the data sent through ARINC. CASS, Passports, and pictures are NEVER required for cabin jumpseating.

Hope this helps clear up the muddy waters.................

 

I was recently told by the head of the UPS jumpseat committee that a passport and pilot certificate is always required to sit up front. Without them, it's the airlines option to you ride in the back.

Excerpts from the UPS jumpseating Q and A's:

"What do I need to do if I want to utilize CASS?"

Jumpseating using the CASS system is very similar to jumpseating prior to 9/11 except you will need a valid passport to participate. You will need to show the ticket counter or gate agent your passport, UPS ID, pilot's license.

"What happens if I am denied by the system?"

If you are denied by the system you are supposed to be offered a cabin seat, if one is available.

"What happens if I don't have my passport with me?"

You will not be granted access to the cockpit, however, the jumpseating procedure of riding in the cabin if a seat should available will apply but it's at the host airline's discretion.

Within the past year, I've been denied a seat in the back at DL for no passport and denied a seat in the back at QX for no pilot certificate. I'm not complaining, just spreading the word.

Flyer 2000, would you disagree with any of the UPS jumpseat FAQ statements?

 

Just get and bring your passport.

QED

 

Finally an answer that makes some sense.

Thank you

 

This process is good because it actually cheaper then the expediate process because you don't have to pay for shipping and you get in the same day. Passport Agencies That is a list of cities that have the same day service. Just make sure to call for an appointment they don't take walkins and I learned that the hard way when my passport was expiring. Make sure you then get the update copy to your airline to get it into Cass, because even though I had my new passport I got denied by Southwest because it was expired in the system.

 

de727ups, you may want to double check your info. I recently renewed my passport and had about a two week period where I was without the passport. I didn't think it would be a big deal since I had a relatively easy commute on my own company. Well, murphys law kicked in, and on the last day of a trip, I ended up missing my commute. The last option home that night was a UPS freighter. Knowing I didn't have my passport, I called the UPS jumpseat 800 number and explained my situation. They told me that it was not required and I made the flight home that night. Since then, I have used your company about a dozen times and have never been asked for a passport.