FedEx Opens CASS

[JethroF15]

FedEx Opens CASS But...

Just checked in at one of the out stations for my trip tonight and the ramp supervisor asked us (the crew) about the CASS system since it opens up to other CASS airlines on April 1st. We told her that we hadn't heard that it was opening and she showed us a an email from the company to all ramp agents anouncing the implimentation of CASS at FedEx as of April 1st. Below is the first part of the message:

Effective 1 April crewmembers of other airlines will be allowed to jumpseat on
FedEx aircraft within the United States as part of the Cockpit
Access Security System (CASS) program. This is a reciprocal program where
FedEx crewmembers will be allowed to jumpseat on other participating carriers.

This program is not necessarily open to all airlines. Participating airlines
have worked out an agreement with FedEx and must be able to provide digital
photos of their jumpseat-eligible crewmembers by way of ARINC, which
will be accessible to FedEx employees responsible for jumpseat check-in. The
number of participating airlines continues to grow.

Following are the procedures for handling and check-in of CASS passengers
(also called offline jumpseaters). All the same procedures for handling FedExjumpseaters apply unless specifically noted otherwise.

* CASS passenger will identify himself to the ramp as an "offline
pilot jumpseating".

* All jumpseaters must have a reservation in the FedEx Jumpseat
Reservation System. Absolutely NO walk up jumpseaters are ever
permitted.

* All jumpseaters must be screened according to normal procedures.
(hand search and tag all baggage, escort them to check in area,
screened baggage must be confiscated, hand wand them before boarding
escort them to and from the aircraft).

* Show times remain at 1 hour before departure and they are being
advised to arrive 1.5 hrs before departure. They must have
complete screening before being checked-in.

* Prohibited items are the same as for FedEx jumpseaters but be aware
this may be different than what CASS passengers are accustomed to.
All FedEx baggage is screened as 'carry-on' because it is accessible...
There was more but this is the meat of the notice. It's about time. Looks like FedEx will require the digital photo for now but at least this is a step in the right direction.

 

[PCL_128]

Participating airlines
have worked out an agreement with FedEx and must be able to provide digital
photos of their jumpseat-eligible crewmembers by way of ARINC,

I believe that this part is the sticking point. I don't think many of the CASS participating airlines have implemented the digital photo portion that FedEx wants.

 

[maddoggiestyle]

There's the rub.

Requiring digital photos from other carriers goes above and beyond what is required from the TSA to be part of CASS. I think FedEx is playing hardball because we are in negotiations and a majority of our crewforce commutes.

I also heard that FedExdoesn't want offline pilots to sit in the cockpit and only in the courier area.

 

[JethroF15]

So, I guess the question is how many other CASS airlines have the capability to input a digital photo into the system? This has to be one of the first times (if not THE first) that FedEx has done something that goes beyond what the FAA/GOV/TSA etc. mandates. It's usually the opposite, i.e. asking for waivers to get around the regs. Just another "finger-in-the-eye" during our contract talks. I'm sure (hopeful) that we will be on-line, with no picture requirement, with everyone else in the CASS system as soon as management gets something in return. Until then, who does have the picture capability?

 

[Huck]

Absolutely NO walk up jumpseaters are ever permitted.

Actually not a big deal - just requires a phone call to get listed. I got LAX station to do it for me during the inrange call last week. I made a showtime that was 30 minutes after we blocked in.

 

[DallasGatr]

Every time I check in they look at my digital pic. Seems like they would want to do the same with off-line types.....

 

[fr8doggie]

Where's the announcement?

Kind of odd that management hasn't notified us that this is going to happen in 3 days?

 

[Purpledog]

Every time I check in they look at my digital pic. Seems like they would want to do the same with off-line types.....

Good point, why would we do less for others than what we require in house.

 

[PCL_128]

Good point, why would we do less for others than what we require in house.

Because none of the other CASS airlines require it. It's called reciprocity. I know that it hasn't been the pilots' fault that management has held up on the CASS over there at Purple, but don't let them convince you that it's OK to demand this digital picture nonsense. That would assure that none of the other CASS pilots would be able to ride on a FedEx bird. In other words, it would be no different than it is now. For any of us to be able to ride with you, you're going to have to get them to allow pilots on without the digital pics. I don't know which airlines use the pics, but I know it isn't many.

 

[psysicx]

Where does Fedex fly from Hawaii to?Do they have direct flights to Memphis or do they stop in Oak or LA?