Photo CASS

[weasil]

ALPA
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The Saturday deadline for transmission of digital photo identification for jumpseating is looming, and airlines will need to request extensions if they are not compliant.

Recent editions of FastRead have reported that the U.S. Transportation Security Administration set a deadline of September 23 (this coming Saturday) for all U.S. air carrier participants in the Cockpit Access Security System (CASS) to be able to display at the gatehouse terminal a digital photo of jumpseat riders for identification purposes.

ALPA and airline industry representatives met with the TSA on August 31 and urged the agency to extend the deadline to April 2007 for those carriers that are unable to comply by Saturday. TSA informed the industry this past Friday that it was unwilling to extend the September 23 deadline and would implement the new system that day as previously mandated.

However, for those carriers that cannot implement the new requirements by September 23, the TSA will consider, on a case-by-case basis, an application to extend the deadline, which would allow the noncompliant carriers to operate under the old system for a "reasonable period" of time. This "reasonable period" will be determined by each carrier's Principal Security Inspector (PSI).

ALPA's First Vice President, Capt. Dennis Dolan, asked the TSA this week to remove some of the uncertainty in a subjective interpretation of "reasonable period" by establishing a new deadline of Jan. 31, 2007, for those airlines incapable of displaying digital photographs by September 23. An extension is essential for some airlines at specific airports because of equipment and software issues that haven't been resolved with airport operators.

TSA has not yet committed to Dolan's request, but the agency has indicated that it will work with the industry to minimize disruptions to the system.

(For more, please click here.) (http://www.alpa.org/DesktopModules/ALPA_Documents/ALPA_DocumentsView.aspx?itemid=4775&ModuleId=4755&Tabid=256#jump)

[weasil]

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration's deadline of September 23 for all U.S. air carrier participants in CASS to be able to display at the gatehouse terminal a digital photo of jumpseat riders for identification purposes is upon us.

Most airlines have come into compliance with the TSA requirement, however some haven't and that may mean trouble for jumpseaters. Starting tomorrow, if you are trying to jumpseat on a carrier, other than your own, that is not compliant, you will likely have to make other plans. Check the list that ALPA has provided, scroll to the carrier on which you plan to jumpseat, and if there is a "no" in the display image column, make alternate plans.

As of now only Freedom (F8) and Mesa (YV) do not send images. Continental (CO) and USAirways (America West flights included) have been granted extensions on image display.

As a result, pilots should be advised that the flight deck jumpseat may not be as accessible at certain locations and you should plan your travels accordingly. ALPA will continue to work this issue until CASS is in full compliance with the TSA's requirements. Stay tuned.

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[Round D. Globe]

Weasil

My particular carrier is to cheap (or is making it a bargining chip) to enlist us in CASS. Does this mean we are screwed from commuting entirely or just in the cockpit?

RDG

[weasil]

I don't know. Since CASS has come into effect though I personally have found jumpseating to be extremely inconsistent. Some gate agents won't even let you onboard even if there is a seat in the back if you are not CASS. I suspect this trend is going to get worse now not better. I changed jobs recently in order to not have to commute anymore. Who do you work for?

[Round D. Globe]

Well after just commuting home for a few days, it seems no change, YET.

But it is inevitable that CASS participation will someday soon be required for a pilot to commute.

RDG