Southwest jumpseat for PSA crew
 

I recently jumpseated a Southwest flight, and the gate agents were unsuccessful at pulling me up in CASS. They still gave me a seat in the back, but I was not jumpseat approved. I've never had a problem at any other carrier.

Any other fellow PSA pilots out there know what combination of employee number and airline code works for Southwests CASS system. We tried all sorts of combinations using the employee number on the front and the one on the back of my ID, coupled with the "JS" carrier code. Also, they were asking for my location??? Told them I was based in TYS.

Anyone have any insight or experience with this?

I believe it is the six digit employee number followed by "JS".

You have to stress it's a capital "J", and a capital "S"

There is a known issue with SWA new jumpseat computer system.

PSA;s Jump Seat Coordinator is working with SWA's JS Coordinator. This has been a known issue for about a month now.

Southwest works fine for me (piedmont). Employee# followed by EN carrier code US.

yeah, i had a recent problem with southwest new jumpseat computer program, i got lucky because there was just one seat left in the back, and i ask the gate agent to let me talk to the capt and she said nope, and at the last minute i was able to board... Seems like WN need to fix that systems cause if the flight is full and guys can't ride on the front because of that new system that can't pull people, that will be a sure way to get guys mad out there....

The jumpseat isn't a right, it's a courtesy. Continental and a couple others had problems when CASS was implemented because their computers were the old-fashioned green screen style and not capable of showing the pilot's photo.

They can get as mad as they want, won't help anything and won't change anything.

The new Southwest system only accepts 7 characters, our input of a 6 digit employee number and JS or in my case EN adds up to 8 and will not work.
I'm not sure if this is being addressed or not.

Thats exactly what it is. It only accepts 7 characters and not 8. I understand it's a courtsey, but when you cannot even get near the captain to ask permission to jumpseat is not right. Their pilots have no problem being pulled up and verified in CASS in our system.

I've used SWA several times under the old system and the new one. My experience it is more about the operator then the system. However, under the new system, you have to call and be listed. No more listing at the gate.

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!

The Captain can not approve you to ride in the Cockpit without a CASS approval. To even ask the CA to take you in the cockpit in that situation I think is a bit rude. You are literally asking him to put his career on the line so you can jumpseat. The TSA would revoke his SIDA clearance if he got caught taking you and he would not be able to work let alone what the FAA would do.

Still hasn't been sorted out yet. Basically, since they cannot verify you in CASS, you will not be allowed in the actual jumpseat. Just hope there is a seat open in the back.

I dont' know if this is the issue or not but at CHQ they seem to have a lot of issues with their new system. I can walk behind the counter and load myself in under 30 seconds now I've had to do it so much. Reason being is that they try and list jumpseat which is talking about FA jumpseats in the back and we aren't allowed in them so they keep looking for our airline and not finding it. You have to make sure they list you for the cockpit regardless if you're going to be sitting in the back or not. It's the only way CHQ shows up.

I am not asking the Captain to put his career on the line to let me ride up front without being in CASS. Ppl are getting the wrong idea. I guess I have to spell this out. My initial response was to someone who said it's a courtsey, not a right. I fully understand that. My point is that without being in CASS, I don't have the opportunity to try to use, or even be denied my courtsey (that I had before and that others still have), since the CA has the final decision on who rides jump (again, assuming CASS approved). I was trying to show that I was not saying I am entitled to the jumpseat, but would at least like to correct something that would LEGALLY allow me the POSSIBILITY to ride in the jumpseat. Maybe this wording is better. Please understand I am not trying or suggesting to go around any rules.

Imagine I was in your new hire class. I give you my phone number and say hey, I am going to get food later. Give me a call and if I'm done with my assignment, I will take you. Other ppl have cars but there is no space. However, it is known that if I decide to go, you can ask me. Your only other choice of food is a frozen bagel you have. It is not a right, you could find a way to get your own food. I was offering you the opportunity to possibly get some food. Now, all of a sudden you cannot get in touch with me b/c you had the wrong number, and that was the only way you would be able ask me for a ride in my car to grab some food. You would not be wrong in saying, you told me to call I had the wrong number, so I had no way of contacting you to possibly have the opportunity to grab a bite to eat.