cass jump seat with usairways

[paddlehigh]

just wanted to know why non usairways pilots cannot jump seat on us airways flights or is it the gate agents who do not know how to put in cass members. If us airways allows cass, does anyone know how they should input the employee ID, because some do and some don't. This has happened on a main line flight and also a PSA flight; however, I know it is possible because I know they are CASS and have jumped seated on previous flights, but have just been denied because I 'am not USAIRWAYS employed please help me with this situation, because we always allow CASS members on our flights.

 

[328dude]

just wanted to know why non usairways pilots cannot jump seat on us airways flights or is it the gate agents who do not know how to put in cass members. If us airways allows cass, does anyone know how they should input the employee ID, because some do and some don't. This has happened on a main line flight and also a PSA flight; however, I know it is possible because I know they are CASS and have jumped seated on previous flights, but have just been denied because I 'am not USAIRWAYS employed please help me with this situation, because we always allow CASS members on our flights.

I feel your frustration Paddle. There seems to be a problem with the CSR's (both mainline and express) training and that not all of them know how to use it. First, I'm sorry that an inadequate trained staffer refused you your CASS priviliges. I hope you weren't trying to get home. My only offering to you however, is to seek a supervisor if it happens again. Since these so called supervisors do some of the training for the gate agent's, most of them know how it works. Also, US Air operates under sabre systems. Here's something you should keep with you in case you run it to this again. Just give this sabre command to the gate agents and they can read how to do it step by step. Some of our pilot's had had troubles with gate agents from other airlines as well trying to get put into CASS and getting refused. Hope this helps.

F*PPD/CASS

(turorial and procedures for processing a pilot through CASS)

 

[mamba20]

You get what you pay for. Thats the quality that is US Air. . . all you have to do is look at mainlines airplanes to see just how this airline really is. And I'm not talking about the newly painted ones.

 

[upndsky]

US Air is CASS, as is Air Whiskey. I believe PSA is as well. Mesa and CHQ aren't. Don't know about TSA or PDT. (I don't have my list with me).

As far as the trouble with getting on, it's the gate agents. I tried to JS on them a few weeks ago from DCA. It took 30 minutes, 4 CSAs and a supervisor to finally get me CASS approved (I fly for XJT). It was all for nothing since I ended up getting bumped by a US Air mainline guy. I will say that the staff was very friendly while they were trying to sort this stuff out.

So, to answer your question. Yes, it is possible for off-line CASS pilots to get on US Air or a CASS feeder. Just come early and be prepared for the runaround. Whatever you do, don't get pissed off at them. That's the surest way to make sure you don't get on the plane.

 

[doug_or]

PDT is cass, but the -100 are going to be weight restricted and unable to carry a jump seater (easy way to tell- aircraft with yellow tips on props can't carry jumpseaters, aircraft with two white stripes on the prop tips probably will).

The problem certainly isn't limited to US, though, I've been told by Delta, United, and Northwest agents that I need to call my company to list for their jump seat. The one time I tried to jump AS the gate agent told me I needed an extra piece of paper beyond the jump seat authorization form but couldn't tell me what it was or where to get one in the future. The fact of the matter is a lot of these agents don't deal with this very often, and just as they do when dealing with revenue passengers, its easier to make stuff up then admit they don't know what's going on.

Edit: hope that didn't come off as a tyrade agianst gate agents- I appreciate what most of them do to help get us on flights and recognize that getting a non-rev from a competeing airline on is their last priority (as it should be). I just get frustrated by they small minority who seem to either avoid unnecesarry work (listing me) or get overly defensive when confronted with a task they don't know how to perform.

 

[Chicken Taco]

US EXP CASS Status as of 5-15:
Yes: PSA, PDT, Air Willy
Soon: CHQ, Republic (should be 6-5)
Likely Never: The rest

 

[mckpickle]

COntact your union jumpseat committee. They have access to the US Air guys who can help with the problem.

 

[ABITRATOR]

Us Airways/express Cass

Yes US Airways and PSA are in the CASS system. Don't quote me but the jump seater have to get listed for the flight and can then occupy the jump seat if there is no seats at the back. Some gate agents don't know how to do it so find an agent who can help you. We did have a Southwest pilot ride up front last week. The gate agent sent him to another agent to get listed, I don't know why.

 

[RUhiring?]

As a communting PSA pilot, I know how to get someone approved for CASS...no gate agent needed. All it takes is a little time and someone to show you how to do it. As long as the jumpseater can get to me, he will be approved (assuming he works for a "CASS" airline). Perhaps the rest of the pilot group could do the same and then we wouldn't have as many problems.

 

[WSurf]

PDT is cass, but the -100 are going to be weight restricted and unable to carry a jump seater (easy way to tell- aircraft with yellow tips on props can't carry jumpseaters, aircraft with two white stripes on the prop tips probably will).

Not true! The chance of getting the jumpseat on a 100 is slim... but don't leave the gate. If we have a bunch of kids in the back, and we know we have a jumpseater will we try and move some bags and get you on. Just try and let the gate agent know to remind the crew there is a jumpseater trying to get on..... Good Luck!

 

[B190Captain]

just wanted to know why non usairways pilots cannot jump seat on us airways flights or is it the gate agents who do not know how to put in cass members. If us airways allows cass, does anyone know how they should input the employee ID, because some do and some don't. This has happened on a main line flight and also a PSA flight; however, I know it is possible because I know they are CASS and have jumped seated on previous flights, but have just been denied because I 'am not USAIRWAYS employed please help me with this situation, because we always allow CASS members on our flights.

You are not alone. I had trouble in DIA last week. It took 3 CSR's and a Super to solve the problem.

 

[TNPILOT]

I was in CLT the other day trying to jumpseat on USAir and the gate agent managed to get me approved for CASS. Unfortunately he seemed to "forget" about me despite the fact I was standing 15 feet away in uniform. Anyway, they shut the door and the Capt. realised what had happened and ordered them to open it back up and let me on (the bag door was not closed yet). I was very grateful to the crew for doing that. I've always been treated very well by USAir crews.

 

[Crzipilot]

Had a comair guy the other day on PSA.......supervisor kept getting error message back from C***************....said unable to communicate or something. Dunno which end it's on US or Airinc or what. Anyways, made sure to get him on, etc.......and then he runs off a/c w/o nearly a thank you.....oh well..

 

[punkpilot48]

why has c*************** been blocked out?

 

[WSurf]

Don't they just have to be Cass approved only to ride up front?

 

[Victor Meldrew]

I think it's a little unfair to say "why USAir......." many carriers have the same problem, depends on the agent's knowledge / willingness. Used to use Eagle EVERY week to commute in / out. Had the same agent basically EVERY week and they still took 15+ minutes to work it out and get me on.

If you can try and get the Captains attention and they will do their best to get you on.

 

[dingo222]

If you have a USAir Express ID or work for an US express carrier, you don't even need to be CASS approved. THe gate agents suck! They seem to have forgotten what we all did before CASS. I've been left behind in CLT a lot until a mainline captain ripped a page out of his FOPP and handed it to me. IT clearly states that if you are in the system as a us express employee, CASS is not an issue. I've had the issue a few times since, and I just asked for the captain and it all got worked out. USually the crew doesn't even know that you are trying to jumpseat. Someone else said it already - you get what you pay for!

 

[dashjockey]

takun?

why has c*************** been blocked out?

hey punk, is that naota in your avatar?

 

[suupah]

You get what you pay for. Thats the quality that is US Air. . . all you have to do is look at mainlines airplanes to see just how this airline really is. And I'm not talking about the newly painted ones.

well i guess they are doing something right since they turned a profit lately.

 

[PHXFLYR]

They didn't turn a profit. Parker just cooked the books.

PHXFLYR

 

[paddlehigh]

fly a french airplane and I guess you get the same common sense as a french man. Not much sense.

 

[punkpilot48]

hey punk, is that naota in your avatar?

sure is!

 

[Bluestreak]

If you have a USAir Express ID or work for an US express carrier, you don't even need to be CASS approved. THe gate agents suck! They seem to have forgotten what we all did before CASS. I've been left behind in CLT a lot until a mainline captain ripped a page out of his FOPP and handed it to me. IT clearly states that if you are in the system as a us express employee, CASS is not an issue. I've had the issue a few times since, and I just asked for the captain and it all got worked out. USually the crew doesn't even know that you are trying to jumpseat. Someone else said it already - you get what you pay for!

I was denied the jumpseat today on Air Wisconsin-the gate agent said the captain told her it was because we're not CASS.So it's not just the gate agents.

 

[WSurf]

They didn't turn a profit. Parker just cooked the books.

PHXFLYR

Hmmm, I guess every airline should just cook the books! Guess what? All the airlines are now making money!!!

 

[airlinepilot]

Usair Cass

Hey guys here are a few hints:

USAIR is using a computer Tap off of America West data base for CASS and unlike Southwest, United, American and a few other majors....their system is a little harder for agents to use. I travel from CLT to BWI every week and have witnessed the problems with the agents in using the system. Here is what I did and recommend.

First tell your JS coordinator. Give them as many facts as possible (names, fllight, etc)

Second, because of all the problems, I keep a copy of the JS instuctions on my computer (had a USAIR agent print if for me) on how to enter the data (the message approval format). I think it would be a great idea if all JS coordinators gave everyone a copy.

Third I have a copy of one of the printouts saying I am approved with all my data. This has been a big help when several agents have said they can't get me approved. I just show them the printout and say I'm in the system. It puts a little more pressure on them to make it work or find someone that can.

The USAIR crews have been great host. Hopefully this will get easier when they combine their software with AWA.​

 

[RUhiring?]

I was denied the jumpseat today on Air Wisconsin-the gate agent said the captain told her it was because we're not CASS.So it's not just the gate agents.

Now that's just totally ignorant. Obviously this guy does not commute to work. If it says US Airways Express on the A/C, and you fly for a US Airways Express carrier, CASS is not a factor. The agents can confirm your employment status simply by entering in your travel info. Someone needs to take that guy out and flog him. With as difficult as it is to get around these days (worst I've seen in 18 years), you would think that everyone would know the rules.

 

[n757st]

I was denied the jumpseat today on Air Wisconsin-the gate agent said the captain told her it was because we're not CASS.So it's not just the gate agents.

I think I speak for all of us when I say sorry, 95+% of our pilot group commutes to work, so it is a very very rare occasion to get someone ignorant about proper jumpseat procedures at this airline.

 

[upndsky]

I was denied the jumpseat today on Air Wisconsin-the gate agent said the captain told her it was because we're not CASS.So it's not just the gate agents.

Just curious who you fly for. You name suggests PSA, but your profile says you fly the EMB 145.

If you're non-CASS, non-US Express there may have been other circumstances that would have prevented you from getting on. Maybe the flight was full. Also, did you hear the captain say this, or was it the gate agent going, "The captain said..." Without having talked to the captain, I wouldn't put any stock on what a gate agent tells me.

Otherwise, the captain was tool.

 

[Jetscream32]

US EXP CASS Status as of 5-15:
Yes: PSA, PDT, Air Willy
Soon: CHQ, Republic (should be 6-5)
Likely Never: The rest

Mesa CASS will be up and running in the near future. We are currently in the process of FAA testing.

 

[Bluestreak]

Just curious who you fly for. You name suggests PSA, but your profile says you fly the EMB 145.

If you're non-CASS, non-US Express there may have been other circumstances that would have prevented you from getting on. Maybe the flight was full. Also, did you hear the captain say this, or was it the gate agent going, "The captain said..." Without having talked to the captain, I wouldn't put any stock on what a gate agent tells me.

Otherwise, the captain was tool.

CHQ.I fly the Airways codeshare,got an Airways travel card.The agent really did go ask,and I tend to believe her.And yep,it was a full bus.