  This survey paper describes two geometric representations of the permutation
group using the tools of toric topology. These actions are extremely useful for
computational problems in Schubert calculus. The (torus) equivariant cohomology
of the flag variety is constructed using the combinatorial description of
Goresky-Kottwitz-MacPherson, discussed in detail. Two permutation
representations on equivariant and ordinary cohomology are identified in terms
of irreducible representations of the permutation group. We show how to use the
permutation actions to construct divided difference operators and to give
formulas for some localizations of certain equivariant classes.
  This paper includes several new results, in particular a new proof of the
Chevalley-Monk formula and a proof that one of the natural permutation
representations on the equivariant cohomology of the flag variety is the
regular representation. Many examples, exercises, and open questions are
provided.
