Not worried about this, i have not waited more than 5 mins in a TSA or clear line in years, so not concerned at all if there is all of a sudden an influx of crew members in the TSA that just means i have to wait 6 mins instead of 3. I'll actually enjoy watching you go through security and whining about it. I guess it's impossible for them to smuggle something, even though that's NOT what it's for. This enhancement will include retention of the Crewmember selection for USP for a period of time at all KCM access points in that airport. Let the security ppl stick to what they gotta do and you pilots can stick to being glorified bus drivers and you flight attendants can stick to being mobile vending machines. Most of these tsa agents are regular people, lower paid, not highly educated. Sporting goods, kitchen utensils, tools, and other items with sharp edges or points capable of injuring a person. I have also seen pilots try to bring animals or children through KCM with them. Flight attendants (mostly female) live out of their suitcases for several days at a time and wouldn't be feasible to check their bags just for health and beauty products (make-up, shampoo, etc), not counting the amount of food that FA's are allowed to pack in their travel cooler (again, several days of food are packed in those coolers) FA's are background checked and it's My concern for flight attendants would be the TSA liquid limits. If the TSA's job isn't to catch drugs, then I'm not exactly sure what this will accomplish. Random screening/USP is a normal TSA screening policy. The duration of disqualification from participation in KCM is related to the seriousness of the violation and/or a repeated history of regulatory violations. If you arrive at the busiest times, youll see dozens of airport staff coming thru the PreCheck positions. Report: TSA Ending Known Crewmember Program In 2023, My take on TSA Known Crewmember Program changes, How To Check TSA PreCheck Hours & Availability, Yuck: TSA Finds Gun Hidden In Raw Chicken, Please view our advertising policy page for additional details about our partners, On the one hand, I do think its time that some changes are made to the Known Crewmember Program, purely based on the number of people who have abused it, On the other hand, fully screening pilots and flight attendants will take up more TSA resources and could lead to longer lines at security; furthermore, the TSA isnt actually very good at finding hidden objects, At least in the case of pilots, I think screening is kind of unnecessary, since theyre flying the plane, and if they wanted to do something, Ultimately I also get the argument that the TSA isnt there to stop drugs, but rather to stop weapons; that being said, if someone is smuggling kilos of cocaine and fentanyl, getting that off the streets (or out of the skies) doesnt seem like a bad thing. Blame is on BOTH sides of the door. As for the argument about crew members mucking up the pre-check line, the way immigration lines are done should be the standard: there is always a dedicated crew line which pre-check users can use if there are no crew members. I'm a flight attendant with 34 years seniority. TSA is extremely inconsistent, one city they tell us to use certain lines then in other cities they are asking why we arent using the very line we were told in a different city by tsa not to use. I'm sorry but I simply do not want to allow anyone to be able to conduct any illegal activity via aviation; the drug crisis in the US is horrific and anyone that wants to protect their personal privileges to allow someone else to profit and kill others should simply not have those privileges. No other individuals are allowed access in the KCM program. Not pilots. And several times I have seen PILOTS attempting to bring their family members through KCM and then throw a hissy fit when theyre told no. Also a lot of airports, like Ohare, dont require ground crew to go through security check points. This could help to discourage any would-be smugglers. I dont think there was EVER a 3-4 HOUR security line.except maybe right after 9/11 or perhaps a few times in AMS over the summer. More egregious violations of the Code Federal Regulations (CFRs) could result in civil or criminal penalties. You walk on your own to TSA Pre and wait in line with everyone else. 5The Known Crew Member program enables TSOs to positively verify the identity and employment status of flight-crew members who have joined the program and provide expedited access to the sterile area of the airport for properly identified and verified, uniformed crewmembers. I have witnessed them walk through checkpoints in droves with little more than a flash of a badge. The flight cannot leave or even be boarded without a full compliment of FAA mandated cabin crew. Hair curlers containing hydrocarbon gas, up to one (1) per passenger or crew member, provided that the safety cover is securely fitted over the heating element. I was next and was told I need further screening tho I did not ring told FA cannot be further screened so I have to be screened??? I witnessed a pilot trying to bring his teenage son through KCM and getting irate because he was told he couldnt. A large part of the problem was allowing crew members - pilots or flight attendants - to use KCM when off duty with the exception of going immediately taccess o/from their base as a commuter. Other countries check their own and I have never witnessed this in the US. 0000005203 00000 n Q. Crewmembers also may be directed to passenger-screening lanes whenever the KCM access point is not operational. That's Have anyone seen how TSA Employees (as well as LEOs )gain access to the secured sterile areas of any of our nation's airports around the country? As if trucks and other merchandise dont come through to be sold at airport property. Then go deal with management messaging and calling asking why your late to the gate because you got a random search and your flight is 3 terminals away. And as you put it yourself, FAs are 'impoverished'. 1) Its pretty insulting to trash the time & money spent. In your feeble mind, do you really think the TSA guy sitting there makes the rules? My cousin is a flight attendant that flys internationally from South America to the United States. If the crewmember isnot wearinga uniform, the crewmember must present a KCM barcode card and a non-expired: Aircraft operator-issued crewmember photo ID or National Air Transport Association ID; and, A valid FAA Flight Attendant Certificate of Proficiency; or. Sign up Once a gangster town. always a gangster town - starting at the top down (with the exclusion of The Obamas - they were the major good that ever came out of Chicago). NOTE: If the selected crewmember exits the sterile area and attempts to reenter through a KCM access point during this time period, they will continue to be identified for USP. Good one. I get paid by the hour, not per passenger. It would make better sense to just have a baggage scanner at each KCM checkpoint but eliminate the need to X-ray scan our bodies. The government-approved Known Crewmember (KCM) program allows Flight Attendants and Pilots at many airlines to enjoy the convenience of an expedited security screening. Crew members should: participate in their national vaccination programmes recognising that vaccination offers personal protection from infection and can assist in recovery of global connectivity; monitor themselves for fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, loss of taste, or other symptoms of COVID-19 according to . (I hear at home On the one hand, I've spent the last 16 years+ working for TSA. When you have unaccompanied baggage, two copies of written declaration forms are required to submit at the time of your entry, one of which will be returned to you with the seal of certification by a Customs officer. Q:My airline is participating in the KCM program; where can I get a KCM barcode card? We shouldn't put anything pass anybody. When you are selected for random, at Denver for instance, you are told to go to random screening. Prior to the Known Crewmember program and their dedicated lines, it was not uncommon to spend 10-15 minutes being delayed as crew after crew cut in line to be screened before the regular users. Agree that the problem stems from flight attendants being able to use this as well as pilots. On January 26, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), issued an order, requiring operators to collect, store and verify documentation on the current COVID-19 status of inbound international air passengers traveling to the United States. It is unfortunate that in 2023, the program may no longer exist for some. I am a U.S. airline pilot, and while disappointing, this development was not unexpected. As of 2023, the TSA will allegedly be introducing Expedited Crew Access, which will replace the Known Crewmember Program. When it was expanded to include flight attendants, we almost immediately saw issues developing. ALPA and the A4A met in late March 2011 with TSA Administrator John S. Pistole and received TSA approval to install and test Known Crewmember at as many as seven U.S. hub airports. 0000000896 00000 n They should absolutely profile crew members for randoms but right now they are sending crews through regular lines 50% of the time. With an increase in travelers using these checkpoints to smuggle stuff onto planes, it seems that its going to be reconsidered. Crewmembers who do not have a KCM barcode card, have a worn/unreadable barcode card, or have not completed the registration process will be referred to the passenger screening checkpoint for entry into the airport sterile area. To protect your ability to participate in the Known Crewmember program, you must abide by the following rules: Authorized flight crew members must travel in uniform. The bad apples have ruined a great privilege for the masses. If the investigation results in regulatory findings, including a Warning Notice, loss of KCM privileges will continue for the period of time that TSA has determined is necessary. It's the easiest post. Flight attendants and pilots are not similar in importance or security. Pilots were the ones most often caught with a firearm in their bag. So tell me. Are you EOD now? So easy to tell some of you are not actually pilots because you know nothing about the crew procedures. You walk on your own to TSA Pre and wait in line with everyone else. Things have gotten so bad, I am ready for a fight. Now its being taken away. That is exactly what Flight Attendants do-every single day! The fact that some flight attendants may feel differently does not change reality. Now you whong be able to smuggle drugs while doing it. 0000002541 00000 n They're the offenders over and over. INSANE makes NO sense to me No problem. Only authorized crewmembers approved by the KCM system may enter the airport sterile area through a KCM access point. Completely disagree with you Ben. 11/21/22 Notice to KCM Participating Airlines, 6/29/22 Notice to KCM Participating Airlines, 3/1/22 Notice to KCM Participating Crewmembers, 6/23/20 Notice to KCM Participating Crewmembers. GOVERNMENT!!!!!!!!!!!! Interesting viewpoint, except for those people who never have to pass through security could easily pass said product off to said pilot, attendant, or anyone with access to the plane storage cargo. Stay mad, everyone. Well, at least for larger airports. The use of the KCM program is a privilege and not a right. Guess what? Nevertheless, we know it takes man power and probably effects their bottom-line, to manage the check point. This isnt the 1980s anymore. Thats fine. Dangerous Goods must not be carried in (or as) passenger or crew-checked baggage Never wait more the 10 minutes. It's not one bit different. About AFA | Right, but the OP say's he has " 100% positive reputation and revered status with Spacer's Choice" and yet " still can't buy restricted items such as mag-picks from Spacer's Choice vending machines". However, crewmembers on an extended leave of absence greater than 30 days, to include: disability, Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), military deployment, voluntary leave of absence, furlough, suspension, termination, retirement, or other leave of absence must be suspended or removed from the KCM system. Direct the crewmember/s with personal international travel on their itinerary to the passenger screening checkpoint. So they are more likely to risk their crap paying job (as stated in the article) to make big bucks very easily. So, what is even closer scrutiny Crewmembers are subject to a federal background check and fingerprinting as a result of 9/11. Common sense solutions to common sense problems. So it does happen..not a fishy story. Failure to follow these rules could result in temporary or permanent loss of KCM privileges. Flight attendants are consistently being found to bring prohibited items (including drugs, even though that's not what TSA is looking for) through KCM. They are "consensual" in name only, and that bending of the usual prohibition of unwarranted search is justified only because their primary purpose is to stop terrorists from taking weapons onto planes. However, keep in mind it is not just F/A's who have been known to smuggle items or take advantage of the benefit. You've been intentionally disrupting things for years. Nobody is throwing away a pilot career for smuggling. You really need to understand a few basics of airline travel. Secondly, its rather disturbing that TSA agents have very little oversight in regards to entering secure areas with bags, purses, etc. Once you receive the barcode card, follow the instructions on the back to register it into the KCM system. Once you arrive at the boarding gate and your pass has not been properly marked by the TSA, you will be sent back to the passenger screening checkpoint for proper screening. If TSA cannot confirm a crewmembers identity or current employment status at the KCM access point, the crewmember will be directed to the passenger-screening checkpoint. - you would really have more "professionals" and those are less likely to abuse the system. I wish I could taste the tears of your unfathomable sadness. And if I run out of duty day because I've been standing in line, oh well. Legally, TSA searches are on thin ice with respect to the 4th Amendment. We are talking IT IS TIME FOR CHANGE. This entire article was a joke and seemed more demeaning than informative. Our world has changed. lost an engine, no hydraulics, a decompression, or worse) onboard your next flight and YOU need the assistance of a Flight Attendant to save your life or that of a loved one! However, off-duty crews should ALWAYS have to proceed thru the TSA security checkpoints like regular passengers. I got secondary screening and they did it right there at the crew line (which they do in other countries) they just wipe your hands and suitcase and test it. 2,056 Sq. I think the KCM program is complete bullshit. Flights can board with/without pilots..however, a flight cannot board without the flight attendants. And I mean to the VERY front, all the way to the front of the belt. Known Crewmember has been a wonderful privilege. When the JetBlue flight attendant in LAX got caught with cocaine shortly after F/As were included in the program, we all saw the writing on the wall. A KCM denial could result from a database error that is nonspecific to you, or it might involve a miscommunication with your air carrier. Stop worrying about pilots in flight, attendants and worry about every other employee. I'm a TSA officer and I'm glad KCM is ending. Also keep in mind that when returning to active status there will be a delay in updating your status to active which may result in your inability to use KCM access. So much so, that I usually just go to security line. Flight attendants are worthless. I WILL share my information when the time is right - IF things do not get better for us working crew who - HAVE ALREADY - been put through multiple screening processes to ensure we were safe enough to serve the public on an aircraft. The ones at my company who seem to be on a regular basis are the same ones complaining to the union all the time, whining all night long about this that and the other. As it is, many of us follow the rules and are constantly being chosen to go to regular security; I have no issue with going through but it has become and everyday event for most honest people. Zero??? For years, pilots and flight attendants havent had to regularly go through security, thanks to the Known Crewmember Program. I have PreCheck and Ive waited at least 30 minutes several times between April and October this year. Funny how you said that it's the flight attendants when I can tell because I actually work as a flight attendant that just last month a PILOT went through KCM with a loaded weapon that he should have declared. If there is to be no special consideration for a FA then there should be none for pilots. Trust me, they will do something about KCM.and it will include all working crew members. I have heard stories of pilots and flight attendants ferrying money, drugs and electronics and that has led to the loss of this expedited service for us. Yes, I am furious. I dont understand this statement about treating flight attendants differently than pilots because we all go through very stringent background checks and process. It's not about logistics. _W++Udy|_3>+^j!mle`8X_% G Tuesday, April 13, 2021. This was discipline issued by the carrier and documented by TSA. @CHRIS , whoa there boyfriend. This is going to cause more time people wait in line and people already hate it when crew members arrive late to the aircraft. Do exactly the opposite. I haven't been randomed by TSA, ever! HVO@_qIgr&mU%x Jii7l%S~/-iL@+$gh^OFA^ ,=`no~e)b(RJHKiyW:VNXGtZF E`kpn3SkO{ QzW-aIXeAINd~#n"xOZe{u^{OF&kkZ We are not law enforcement. %PDF-1.4 % The third most common is customer service on 10.7% of resumes. Most helpful comments ( as chosen by the OMAAT community ). CrewPASS has been used successfully at three East Coast airportsBaltimore/Washington International (BWI), Pittsburgh International (PIT) and Columbia (S.C.) Metropolitan (CAE)for almost three years. The real issue is if you wanted to smuggle something, you would just throw it away if you got random or give it to someone else to try to take it through. Just a couple of weeks ago I posed the question of whether the Known Crewmember Program should be reconsidered. box cutters. My favorite is from all these so called pilots . These include cultural goods, wild fauna and flora and products derived from these, vegetables and plant products, weapons and ammunition, medicines, tobacco and alcoholic beverages. A: If the TSA cannot confirm your identity or current employment status at the KCM access point, you will be directed to the passenger-screening checkpoint in order to access the sterile area. The TSA is just theater of the absurd (95% fail rate*) . Youre a bunch of loser clowns. Imagine having to go through security and adding extra unpaid time to your job every time you went to work. 2) You want to make the people who cross umpteen timezones for your safety stand around like the rest of you cheap cattle car bovines, watch crews take their sweet time at the back of the two hour line to get through security. Say hello to people and ask them how they are doing. 0000003052 00000 n I was then forced to go through the x-ray scanner, and I was still flagged as they said the zipper on my uniform was a problem and then I had to stand there and be patted down in front of everyone, it was infuriating. The Known Crewmember (KCM) program is a joint initiative between Airlines for America (A4A) and the Air Line Pilots Association, Intl (ALPA).KCM ties airline employee databases together in a seamless way and enables Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security officers to positively verify the identity and employment status of crewmembers. 1) Its pretty insulting to trash the time & money spent. Then you have to listen to passengers complain and ask why your late. The current limits are arbitrary and nearly meaningless. BTW! I'm a 44 year flight attendant. This whole system is a mess now and its not only hurting crew members, but it will hurt passengers that have paid for TSA pre check to now have to wait for countless crews to go ahead of them. Really Will? But of course, they would have to pay them more. 0000060977 00000 n Standards - out the window. Smuggling drugs or trying to get a weapon through security should be punishable to the people doing it. 0000007899 00000 n There are 24,000 flight attendants just at my airline. It gets Americans used to standing in line while goons grope you - welcome to our increasing police state. More egregious violations of the Code Federal Regulations (CFRs) could result in civil or criminal penalties. When youre randomly checked five or six times in a row, its easy to cop a tude. We do get front of the line access. Its fine. Spoken like a true dummy. The following transportation security, regulatory and/or statutory violations result in a disqualification: NOTE: The majority of KCM access point disqualification cases involve attempted access for personal international travel, transporting the property of another individual through a KCM access point, and carrying prohibited items.
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