What is CASS?

[FAFInbound]

I have seen a number of posts regarding regional airlines that either have or do not have CASS. I have done some searching but could not find much info with regards to what CASS is. Can someone explain exactly what CASS is and how is it beneficial to pilots that commute? Thanks

FAFInbound

 

[Baronman]

CASS let's you utilize the cockpit jumpseat on a carrier other than your own (as long as it's a CASS airline). Example, before XJT had CASS I couldn't ride in the cockpit of a Delta airlines aircraft if the flight was full. Now I can show up at the gate (with my ID and Passport) and get my employment verified via the gate agents computer. He/She then prints out a sheet verifying me and I give that to the Captain.

 

[91100 100 set]

I don't know all the ins and out of it, but here's my fast and dirty explanation.

Prior to the events of September 11th, cockpit jumpseat access for 121 flight crew members was pretty much permitted, within the limitations of company policy and the individual crews. A pilot crew member for carrier A was permitted to occupy the cockpit jumpseat in carrier B's plane, having a valid company ID (and in some cases, valid pilot certificates) would get you in. After September 11th, in the resulting shakedown of security procedures, an individual's eligibility to access the cockpit jumpseat, and the verification of said eligibility was called into question. So, access was permitted only if your status could be verified. Initially, the only way to do this was by verifying your employment via the company's computer system (at least in the case of my carrier at that time). Since carrier A's system was not tied into carrier B's system, if a pilot from A wanted to jumpseat on carrier B, he was not granted access to the cockpit, and could only sit in the passenger cabin.

By not allowing access to the often only remaining seat on the airplane, this created a bind for many pilots who relied on that priviledge to commute to and from work. Hence the CASS system was started. As far as I understand, it is a nationwide database that allows participating carriers to verify the eligibility of a crew member requesting cockpit jumpseat access. If the agent boarding the flight can verify your status as a legitimate 121 flight crew member via the CASS system, you can occupy the flight deck jumpseat.

 

[wscrj]

Participating in the CASS program allows you to occupy the ACTUAL jumpseat on an airline for which you have no affiliation to.

EX: An Alaska pilot may sit in the jumpseat of a UAL flight, since both are in the CASS program.

Since, for example, MESA is not on the CASS program, we cannot accept jumpseaters, nor may we occupy the jumpseat, on an airline for which we are not affliliated.

EX: A Mesa pilot cannot occupy the jumpseat on an Alaska flight, nor may we accept an Alaska pilot in ours.

(MESA will always accept unlimited j/s'ers in the back)

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

A big, fat white chick who choked to death on a ham sandwich.

 

[Joecool3]

LMAO-good one Hugh Jorgan!!!!!!!!

 

[Flyer2000]

CASS stands for Cockpit Access Security System. It was designed and proposed by UPS for all carriers participation. It is NOT a national database, but instead is a database created and maintained by each individual airline. It also requires each airline to develop their own software to interface with ARINC. ARINC is the host to the central server and a contract and monthly fee are required by them as well. CASS is currently open to all 121 carriers for participation, and is for domestic use only [no international cockpit jumpseating]

 

[labbats]

What is CASS?

You must be a gate agent.

 

[JetSpeed219]

It can also apply to 135 carriers......

 

[Vegaspilot99]

Just wondering...Ameriflight is in CASS, but as far as I know we only have a reciprocal JS agreement with SWA. Since we are CASS can we JS on other CASS airlines or only SWA?? Thanks!

 

[pilotyip]

CASS is seperate from JS agreements, you must have both to ride on that airlines once CASS becomes a shop stopper for JS.

 

[SiuDude]

A big, fat white chick who choked to death on a ham sandwich.

Would that be a BWFM?

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

Would that be a BWFM?

I suppose if you are into that kinda thing...maybe like back in the frat days when you used to go out hoggin'....

 

[Sig]

A big, fat white chick who choked to death on a ham sandwich.

Well. There goes another keyboard ruined by spitting water all over the baysterd.

THAT was AWESOME!

 

[Freight Dog]

I suppose if you are into that kinda thing...maybe like back in the frat days when you used to go out hoggin'....

"Anyone can have a good-lookin' chick! Ever had a big fat pig? It's like taking a ride at Wet'n'Wild!"

- Dice Clay