In fact, there is at least one pilot sitting in jail in a foreign country because he forgot he had his gun. Yesterday when I went through TSA pre-check, i beeped walking through the detector even though I had nothing in my pockets or that I was wearing that should have beeped Im a flight attendant and Ive been random 18 times out of 22 since I started counting in January. 0000010714 00000 n I'll bet you're very good at stacking pillows and blankets around something you'll never find. KCM is a risk-based security program. Pilots were the ones most often caught with a firearm in their bag. As for their excuse as to why theyre increasing random security checks, its kind of a dumb argument. It gets Americans used to standing in line while goons grope you - welcome to our increasing police state. While exact details remain to be seen, it would appear that airline pilots and flight attendants may have to consistently start going through airport security as of next year. 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. Yes, I demand change. I don't really care if literally the whole crew, all my fellow passengers, and TSA are all smuggling drugs on every flight so long as I get where I'm headed. Is air travel going to get even MORE expensive? System Transfers Awarded Effective May 1, 2023, AFA Reporting System Memberlink Grievance Portal Update, AFA Grievance Reporting System Memberlink Planned Downtime for Server Move, Interruption of Reserve Legal Rest While at Home, Two New Letters of Agreement Approved by United MEC. Battery-powered electronic smoking devices, such as "e-cigarettes, e-cigs, e-cigars, e-pipes, e-hookahs, personal vaporizers, electronic nicotine delivery systems," can be brought as carry-on items only. As for the flight attendant vs. pilot issue, the justification for including flight attendants was always that there simply was not 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. Either way, you're a crewmember so you'd better get ready for work, you have peanuts to distribute. The outdated machines are looking for glycerine - a primary agent in bombs of the past. Well, at least for larger airports. H\n@E|E/E*Hc'IFvb@m/7HdsSnv&vgs.x 7$/L)Icvy7M;fxI:dn&_0VLot){u~?b'&o:L;v25pIcex?tw I],GpE%og9.Z,Y?"[Z\Kr dfEZvg_}Yee_}Yec_}999999999998s9A0G#s9=(xdYsY8sA8sA8sPAW+ Regardless of the circumstances? While you have no idea what its like going through security as many times as we do with our heavy bag, etc, as many times as we do, it is actually quite frustrating to walk up to kcm and be randomed 2/3 of the time. @ Alan -- I mean, I think the people who are actually caught with serious things (like kilos of cocaine) are facing worse punishment than just being banned from KCM Full disclosure- Im a flight attendant, and its frustrating to lose this privilege because of crew members who dont follow the rules. Unaccompanied Baggage. 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. In some instances, generally involving prohibited items, the TSA is authorized by federal regulation to use a streamlined procedure and no LOI will be issued. Look, your job could be replaced by a cardboard sign with a red arrow painted on it and a vending machine. Yes, I flew this week. If any crew member wanted to cause harm they could. The UK is committed to doing that as well, including eliminating the liquids rule. I haven't been randomed by TSA, ever! DepartureCheck is a Passenger and Aircraft Operator Compliance Solutions Platform, brought to you by NATA Compliance Services (NATACS). The Port Agent will arrange transportation to the ship's next port of call. Pilots have a lot more to lose (significant investment in their career, inability to easily switch to a different field with similar compensation, licenses, etc) than flight attendants do. Sometimes there's contraband inside, and the well-meaning flight attendant had no idea. How classist of you to assume that they wouldnt also try smuggling drugs, if not for the money then simply for the power and because they can. What an absolute joke that anyone thinks there is any benefit at all to safety to screen pilots at TSA checkpoints. I am a U.S. airline pilot, and while disappointing, this development was not unexpected. Not claiming the new policy will affect my trips, only that TSA has major staffing issues at certain airports. 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. Completely disagree with you Ben. Association of Flight Attendants-CWA - AFA United MEC, 2020 Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO. When you are selected for random, at Denver for instance, you are told to go to random screening. 0000001146 00000 n : ). I stopped using it entirely for about 2 months now. It is only there to prevent security threats to aviation, originally hijacking then terrorist attacks. Things have gotten so bad, I am ready for a fight. While I havent seen the document myself, this has allegedly been outlined in a Known Crewmember update, following a meeting with TSA Administrator David Pekoske. TSA To Take Over Known Crew Member (KCM) Screenings Also a lot of airports, like Ohare, dont require ground crew to go through security check points. If you have been inactive, on leave, or if you have been temporarily removed from service, you will not have KCM access. It just sucks overall, especially for those of us who do not smuggle drugs or weapons just do their jobs and just want to use flight benefits on their days off. 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. Ukraine Prohibited and Restricted Items | FedEx Cross Border Flight attendants never should have been included. Keep dreaming. crew member definition: 1. a member of a group of people who work together, especially on a ship: 2. a member of a group. TSA is out of controltheir job is to prevent a 9-11but today they are covid mask enforcers, DEA agents, uniform police etc etcKCM was paid for and pushed in by ALPA with alpa duesthe F/A's got in for free and ruined it. TSA really should be abolished. Also, the US is rolling governments around the world, including in the US, are doing more surveillance of their own citizens - let alone others from other countries. Aircrew - Wikipedia Crewmembers may request a new or replacement KCM barcode card from their airline management. We also hoped it would inform and deter travelers from packing prohibited items in their own carry-on and checked bags. Enter your email address here and we will send you an email with your username and instructions on how to change your password. Ill go easy on the guy that said he was a cargo pilot. 0000003346 00000 n Q:What if I have not received a KCM barcode card from my participating airline? If you arrive at the busiest times, youll see dozens of airport staff coming thru the PreCheck positions. I think that the best solution is to permanently revoke the KCM privilege from the offenders. After-all, who you gonna call when the "center does not hold" at 35,000 feet? The program is not ending. 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 . Like other airline workers dont use a SIDA badge and go through another entrance. On August 30, 2019, TSA announced new crewmember identification requirements. H\Ak0:bf0mBmM85ld8.!gv?d}R{>Eee Crewmember Questions and Answers - Association of Flight Attendants-CWA This enhancement will include retention of the Crewmember selection for USP for a period of time at all KCM access points in that airport. As it is, the random screenings have increased exponentially - to the point where crew members are tempted to go through the pre check line anyway to avoid an extra step of waiting for someone to tell you to go there. Right Eddie!?! Fine tuning of the program are very much in need but not just to our end, theirs (Government Screeners) too. I'm a Flight Attendant for a major US Carrier and I've known of a few that have had privileges suspended for a year and of one who had her privileges permanently revoked. TSA never figured it out, who screens TSA agents? KCM provides crewmembers with an alternative entry point into airport sterile areas, which may be separate from the passenger security-screening lanes. Editorial Disclosure: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any entity mentioned herein. Pilots have years and $100,000 plus dollars invested in this career. Can't buy restricted items? - The Outer Worlds: General Discussion (NO The most common hard skill for a mcdonalds crew member is cleanliness. Just because you hate your life and job doesnt mean everybody else does. (a handful of others choose to use this out-dated screening method from time to time because they STILL consider it to be an accepted method of secondary screening!!!) It's not about logistics. Flight attendants are consistently being found to bring prohibited items (including drugs, even though that's not what TSA is looking for) through KCM. Youre right though, losing KCM is the least of their problems; however, youd be hard-pressed to find someone whos actually lost the privilege permanently. Doesn't my ID matches the same face and picture of myself in their laptop database? That, and the fact that pilots or flight attendants could threaten the safety of the flight, makes crewmembers unique. 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. This includes items such as lawn darts and several baby products (for example certain seats and cribs). Life rafts are located on Deck 7 . 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. https://www.afacwa.org/setting_record_straight_kcm_rumors?fbclid=IwAR2Jx6AzwBq_JTj471QFrQZST-hQzQNXJEa26tUuXbfKvLQLc_UNFuWuNzc. They are using crew screening issues to say, "Hey - we're doing a great job!" For context, with the Known Crewmember Program, eligible pilots and flight attendants dont have to clear security when passing through airports. - you would really have more "professionals" and those are less likely to abuse the system. Sadly people will always try and take advantage of a situation. 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. Review: EgyptAir Lounge Cairo Airport (CAI), Lufthansas Boeing 787 Business Class: Exactly As Expected. The continued success of the program is dependent upon crewmembers demonstrating that they can be trusted to comply with all related requirements. 4.1.2. The neck tattoo guy isn't. Things do NOT get fixed until the agency in question is FORCED into a state of change. Some times 10 or 15 TSA screeners at the same time. b. Dont just blame a work group. I use KCM and live in a base. Other Airline Flight Attendants have told me that some of their colleagues have been terminated for violating KCM policies. The crew may have to deal with several emergencies such as cabin fires or first aid situations. You're about as much of a "first responder" as the senior citizen who greets people at Walmart. 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. They're the offenders over and over. 2023 KNOWN CREWMEMBER. Your anger and frustration brings me joy. Work closely with your union or become a rep to improve work rules and pay at your airline to make respecting your job more appealing. Any employee, even a pilot, could be enlisted to smuggle a weapon into the secure area to be passed to someone else. And TSA doesn't enforce mask mandates anymore, and when they did it was because they had to follow the directive of The And TSA doesn't enforce mask mandates anymore, and when they did it was because they had to follow the directive of The federal government. You dont have flight attendants so have no special procedures during flight. Special Use Airspace. What are you talking about 3-4 hours waiting? Nope, AFA, was also involved in the lobbying for KCM, all crew members or none. To the direct and accurate comment that newly minted Flight Attendants who don't have much of a career to lose and much to gain from smuggling..I say if the resources are low then allow KCM for pilots only. Thanks for what you do. endstream endobj 66 0 obj <>stream CAP Solo Pilot 4.1.1.1. If they want to look in my bag, no problem. The government-approved Known Crewmember (KCM) program allows Flight Attendants and Pilots at many airlines to enjoy the convenience of an expedited security screening. On the one hand, I've spent the last 16 years+ working for TSA. 0000005203 00000 n We ask for your cooperation as Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) become familiar with this KCM policy change. Any self respecting smuggler can take that on one flight, depending on what drug it is. No jumping in front of the line ( I always commute in polo shirts ). Once these tasks are successfully completed, the crewmember will be allowed to proceed into the sterile area. And how might a TSA random screening have prevented the German wings incident? 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. If they increased the requirements - say you have to have a 2 year degree -- an EMT license, etc. The Department of Homeland Security and the White House also have given their approval for KCM. The ship began its fateful voyage on November 7, 1872, sailing with seven crewmen and Capt. Their union fought for this they should be allowed to keep it. As for their excuse as to why theyre increasing random security checks, its kind of a dumb argument. I think they should give a hefty fine and take away the privilege from the individual who couldnt follow the rules. Spoken like a true dummy. With an increase in travelers using these checkpoints to smuggle stuff onto planes, it seems that its going to be reconsidered. Susan Hollis Garrett. So it's not that they don't understand the reputation-restricted nature of items; it's that they have the rep and still can't buy the items. The STSO must: a. So they are more likely to risk their crap paying job (as stated in the article) to make big bucks very easily. "Y'all fucked around and found out". They should absolutely profile crew members for randoms but right now they are sending crews through regular lines 50% of the time. 53 0 obj <> endobj Q: What should I do if the TSA cannot validate my identity and employment status at the KCM access point? I'll actually enjoy watching you go through security and whining about it. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has provided new guidance to the Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) staffing the Known Crewmember (KCM )Access Points. It will be easier for you to smuggle drugs that way. Crewmembers traveling with pets will be directed to the passenger-screening checkpoint and screened in accordance with TSA screening procedures. There's no generally available program that would allow most people to bypass airport security altogether. And as you put it yourself, FAs are 'impoverished'. The primary mission of TSA is to reduce security vulnerabilities and to strengthen resilience against terrorist attacks in the Nation's transportation systems, including aviation, mass transit, rail, highway, and pipeline, to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce. page on our website to help with some of the misunderstandings in this program. They set their feelings aside and DO the right thing when the chips are down! First, crew members appreciate having a KCM check point. Therefore, KCM eligible crewmembers are required to understand theKCM Rules for Useand comply with these rules while using the KCM access points. This is going to cause more time people wait in line and people already hate it when crew members arrive late to the aircraft. In the meantime, random screenings through the program will continue to increase, to minimize the number of prohibited items being brought through security. There's too many crewmembers to have them all go through pre-check. Stay mad, everyone. There is automation that could easily reduce that time and move the whole process along faster for all passengers - more than offsetting the increased number of airline personnel that have to be scanned. Hold your fellow flight attendants responsible for their actions. COVID cruises: Ships sailed on despite the coronavirus, and thousands 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. Stay connected with the latest travel, aviation, and credit card news. Not only does he have an axe under his seat, but he could simply crash the plane. Goood good. 0000003052 00000 n Known Crewmember Fact Sheet (Source: www.knowncrewmember.org) Q. Crewmembers can only view their previous 30 days of KCM usage. The nerve of some of yall who give us an attitude when you get the random. [1] [2] Collectively called cabin crew, flight attendants are primarily responsible for passenger safety and comfort. So to clarify, a flight attendant like a pilot is required to do a strenuous background check. When youre randomly checked five or six times in a row, its easy to cop a tude. When you are selected for random, at Denver for instance, you are told to go to random screening. I'm a Flight Attendant for a major US Carrier and I've known of a few that have had privileges suspended for a year and of one who had her privileges permanently revoked. KCM is Accessible Only for "Active" Crewmembers. So, what is even closer scrutiny of crew trying to accomplish? The smuggling will just end up moving to the SIDA badge holders. Why would there be when you can dump whatever you are smuggling or take it to your car? (Note: Personal grooming items such as safety razors are allowed. Q:I have a SSSS on my boarding pass or seat request card, what do I do? They may be carried by passengers or crew members and are for personal use only. There weren't "delays" before KCM. Drug interdiction isn't TSA's job and they know it. If the program went back to its origins, it would work fine, but the authorities are far too politically correct to exclude just one problem group, so now we all get to suffer for their sins. If your crew-member record is SPOTLESS, your random screening should be much much less. 2023 KNOWN CREWMEMBER. As a flight attendant KCM is a privilege most of us highly respect with air travel at an all time high to be sent thru regular screening will cause delays and many frustrations CDCCheck is a web-based, touchless and digitized solution from DepartureCheck that complies with the documentation, attestation and record-keeping requirements of this order. #3 is DEN - they do a secondary screening where they swipe the crew member's hands and test the swab in a machine. You don't like your job and you feel so miserable at it. Instead it should focus on how TSA has become more relaxed and lazy at doing their jobs and are short staffed and dont have officers to man the KCM station so everytime someone gets randomed they are throwing a pissy fit about having to walk over. 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. It's not rocket science. If the pilots on a flight become incapacitated, the lives of everyone on board are jeopardized; if the flight attendants become incapacitated, it is a relatively minor inconvenience unlikely to result in any sort of injury to anyone. For information about the Known Crewmember program, please contact us at:info@knowncrewmember.org. Known Crewmember Sign Up Username Password Password Requirements: Your password must contain at least 15 characters. One morning last summer at SAN the PreCheck line was out the West Terminal door extending half a block. Or that they pay for TSA and we don't because of ticket fees. That would stop the violations real quickly. This entire article was a joke and seemed more demeaning than informative. This would no longer be a joint initiative with the Air Line Pilots Association and Airlines for America, but rather would entirely be under the control of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Uniformed crewmembers are exempt from 3-1-1 restrictions. There's always going to be a few who thwart the rules and get busted. The MANY should not be punished, just because of the FEW. Your fellow drug smugglers "submitted backgrounds" top. It also has warned that such violations could jeopardize the entire Known Crew Member program. That is actually the reason why some of us Flight attendant give attitude when random, not for the process itself but for the attitude of lots of like you who you can tell from far that don't care about either passenger of Flights. Are you mad that they didn't let them go? Thanks to the right wing gun nuts that cant tell a difference between their flight bag and a range bag. 82 0 obj <>stream The last incident of the FA caught smuggling fentanyl in SF because they got the random at KCM and got caught at the security checkpoint was the final nail in the coffin for KCM. If you believe that a KCM denial occurred relative to your employment status, please enter the sterile area as directed via the passenger-screening checkpoint and, when time permits, ask your airline supervisor for assistance in rectifying the situation with your carrier. Ill go easy on the guy that said he was a cargo pilot. Its not just flight attendants. Therefore, KCM eligible crewmembers are required to understand these KCM Rules for Use and comply with these rules while using the KCM access points. If your pass has a SSSS printed on it, you must undergo selectee screening at the passenger screening checkpoint. since most smuggling takes place internationally, why doesnt immigration have people go through machines when entering the US? If you arrive at the busiest times, youll see dozens of airport staff coming thru the PreCheck positions. Known Crewmember- It's a Privilege, Not a Right! If someone smuggles drugs or other prohibited items through security or customs, bust them and prosecute, dont completely attempt to re invent the wheel by punishing everyone. That, and the fact that pilots or flight attendants could threaten the safety of the flight, makes crewmembers unique. Have new threats from crew been identified? Boohoo. This was discipline issued by the carrier and documented by TSA. There is no reason to trust flight attendants any more than any other trusted group, like police officers, travelers with security clearances, doctors or priests. I have a problem with the guy with the neck tattoo making $18 bucks an hour that moves in and out of security without a second look telling me, a retired army officer with a top secret security clearance that I need more scrutiny. The Crew Appreciation charge is paid to Holland America Line team members and represents an important part of their compensation. The sticky problem here is that a crew member bringing in a pound of drugs could just as easily be bringing in something that could harm an aircraft. KCM should be 100% allowed for pilots there is a MASSIVE difference in career terms and pay between pilots and FAs. 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). TSA has determined that certain violations of TSA security requirements by a crewmember are inconsistent with a determination that the crewmember poses a sufficiently low risk to transportation security to be eligible for KCM expedited screening, regardless of whether the violation physically occurred at the KCM access point. Making all of us lose this privilege will soon tax tsa, delay flights and and expand misconnects. Everyone arriving at a port of entry to the U.S. is subject to inspection by Customs and Border Protection officers for compliance with immigration, customs and agriculture regulations. darts. 2,056 Sq. Stay in your uniform you wont have that problem. About Us - KNOWN CREWMEMBER I'm a flight attendant with 34 years seniority. Punish those that broke the rule. That's right. "Strip searched" When you fabricate, you lose all credibility. Now you whong be able to smuggle drugs while doing it. Secondly, its rather disturbing that TSA agents have very little oversight in regards to entering secure areas with bags, purses, etc. TSA doesn't screen for drugs. A:Authorized crewmembers traveling with a printed boarding pass or seat request card are subject to the TSA Secure Flight (SF) vetting system the same as passengers. All airline employees are subject to TSA screening practices conducted within sterile areas, which include roving screening teams, random gate screening and questioning by TSA officers. "A half a block" really? But now theyre gonna stop flight attendants from trafficking in fentanyl. The screenshot is going around. Also allowing them to use this when they are off duty is the other problem. The Known Crewmember program (often abbreviated KCM) allows select airline pilots and flight attendants to enter the sterile area of the airport without going through the standard security screening process.
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