they will still list you at the gate

 

Guys...just write down the correct code that works in the Southwest system to help out the gate agent. They are not refusing you, they just dont know the vagaries of each code from each individual airline. PSA is a relatively small operator & the gate agents don't get a lot of experience in handling them. Help them out.

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.

The correct procedure now is to list by phone prior to the flight. Jumpseating Southwest crews are required to do it on our own airline. It just makes things go easier.

I think everyone can agree that Southwest has always gone out of its way to help jumpseaters (both on-line & off-line). Nothing has changed.

Long story short...help the gate agents get YOU what you need!

 

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.

 

If you can't be verified in CASS we have no options, as the computer is unable to print out a boarding card for you unless your a revenue passenger.

This was discussed on the Local 61 board. It's being fixed, but have no idea when.

 

I had no problem riding in the back last month.

The gate agent and crew were fine with it.

 

My response to being a courtsey was to show that I was not complaining that I could not or was denied a jumpseat on Southwest, but rather that because of the new system, I come up automatically denied in CASS, and may miss my opportunity to possibly be extended a professional courstey. I regularly help gate agents who are confused how to enter my employee number (b/c it is confusing) in a polite, non-arrogant, and non-condescending way.

I have jumpseated on Southwest numerous times and have never had a problem. I also highly respect the fact that when going up to introduce myself, quickly on a 20 min turn the Captain and crew were extremely nice and polite.

 

Btw, I'm a Piedmonster (travel and j/s on almost all my days off) and have the same problem as PSA with my employee number. As I said before, be polite when explaining it and they will find you, in CASS, unless there are bigger problems.

 

^ That

filler filler filler

 

So, I'm at PDT and am gonna try and hop on Southwest this weekend and was wondering if this has been worked out. If their system only accepts 7 digits, how do we help the agents out and know how to enter it. I know its our employee# followed by EN and the airline code is US for most CASS stuff. How do we put it into Southwest's system?

Just wondering if people have figured out how to do it.

 

There new computer system has all the individual airlines in it, so to my knowledge all you will need to do is use your employee # and then use Piedmont instead of the EN stuff. I came up in their system using PSA and my employee # the only issue was it had a "cabin only" note for us, we are working that out. Goodluck!