L1a4u4r0a

Hi, I just wanted to post to see if anyone else has had these experiences, wants to comment, or can help in any way. I jumpseat from Atlanta to Cleveland and vice versa all the time. I have no problems on Delta connection either way, or on Continental express (either Express Jet or Chataqua) from Cleveland to Atlanta, but from Atlanta to Cleveland more often than not it is IMPOSSIBLE to get on a jumpseat. Not because of the pilots, weight and balance, or anything of the sort, but because CASS is ALWAYS down. This last time I jumpseated I was able to get a seat in the back which is usually denied if you are not confirmed in CASS but the gate agent happened to be very nice and talked to the crew who of course had no objection. Other times I have had gate agents who would not even let me speak with the crew because CASS was down and I could not be verified. This most recent time I was told CASS has been down for DAYS. I think it is wrong to deny all pilots jumpseats out of Atlanta for days, when the same courtesy is given on say Delta Connection flights. Now this is to you Continental, Express Jet, and Chataqua pilots, can you please please talk to your jumpseat coordinator about this? Is there anything that can be done? It is so frustrating to commute to and from work and my biggest concern is always if CASS will work or not, rather than if there are seats available. Any comments or help appreciated. I know that this is absolutely by no fault of the pilots and that both Express Jet and Chataqua pilots have always been very nice and helpful and it is very much appreciated. Thanks!

sopdan

Do you have a jumpseat coordinator/rep? If so, let 'em know.

Intl Jumper

I jumpseat from ATL-IAH-MTY on a biweekly basis. The only place you can get cleared on CASS is at D12. If CASS is indeed down it is something new. There is one older gate agent, that gets really ****ed off if you arnt there 45 minutes prior. If your there 60 mintues prior its too ealry, 44 mintues and you are too late. If you have jumpseated on them frequently you probably know the disgruntled lady. The chipper ladies live to help me, and they sometimes dont even bother to check CASS...

flynfr8

The best thing to do is document who, when and where you were told of CASS being down. If you have a Jumpseat Coordinator (as asked above), contact them with as much detail as possible, and they will take it to the appropriate JSC. Usually the situation can be rectified pretty quickly. Good luck.

ToiletDuck

I've had CASS take a dive a few times and they've all been within the past two months.

evilboy

Ok, here's the thing with CASS, you only need it if you are going to seat in the cockpit. To seat in the rear, CASS verification is not required. As long as you have a valid company ID, License, Medical, etc., and there's a reciprocal agreement, at that point it is up to the Captain to let you ride. Again, CASS is only to allow you access to RIDE in the cockpit. Think about all those 135 people whose companies do not participate in CASS, but still jumpseat in lots of airlines (SWA is pretty good with that). Some agents out there cling to CASS in order to not help you (God forbid they pay attention to a jumpseater for 3 minutes). Anyhow, if the agent tells you "CASS is down" and won't help, bring this up and ask if a lead/red coat/sup can clarify it for you. Good luck.

ToiletDuck

I think TSA's standards are different that the airlines.

CRJPlt

I went through a ticket agent and her two supervisors one time with US Airways all telling me that I wouldn't be allowed to ride even in the back because I was coming up denied in CASS. I tried explaining that I would be riding in the back and CASS was for Cockpit Access but none of them cared. Went to the gate and that agent let me ride in the back.

ComairFO

Maybe I have this all wrong, but as I understand it, each airline is in charge of their own CASS system. Therefore, if the "CASS is down" it should be directly related to your own airline and would warrant you placing a call to either your jumpseat coordinator or a chief pilot.

I was bumped from the jumpseat of my own airline once because our CASS system was down, only to pass a CHQ pilot in the jetbridge that was taking my place since theirs was working properly.

evilboy

Those first guys either had no clue, or just didn't want to help.
Here is how CASS works. Each participant airline is responsible to add/subtract/change the status of their pilots into a master grid. Each participant airline has access to this master grid to check other airlines for verification purposes only. Now the verification is only a security measure to allow pilots from other airlines, that are CASS participants, into their cockpits for security purposes. Riding in the back DOES NOT require CASS verification, only Captain's approval. TSA's only roll is to supervise/police CASS. This program is an airline -with FAA/TSA aproval- issue.
Most gate agents are too -shall we say- unmotivated to remember and/or look for the right answer. If you know/have a friendly gate agent you prefer, ask this person what he/she believes the rules are. Also, ask them to verify it in their GOM -which every station has as a master copy-, and also to look in CASS itself (if they are nice enough). If you can, make extra copies of the rules, and next time you're denied because of CASS, before you go to another gate/flight, leave this person a copy.