Effective January 13, 2015, the TSA’s Known Crewmember (KCM) requirements will change for flight crew members: Flight Attendants who participate in KCM will no longer be required to wear uniforms.
We must continue to adhere to all other KCM guidelines to protect our status in the program, as well as the recognition it confers to Flight Attendants as safety and security professionals.
We ask for your cooperation as TSA staff become familiar with this KCM policy change. If you confront any challenges with regard to this policy change, please contact your AFA LEC officers.
The elimination of the uniform requirement presents an opportunity to encourage more AFA-represented airlines to participate in KCM, and to advance a more risk-based approach to security. Nearly 60 airports are currently equipped with KCM screening checkpoints and more are expected to be added in 2015. It is up to each individual carrier to commit to participating in the program, as the airline must create a database for the Flight Attendants. Our AFA leadership will continue to work with our airline managements to gain inclusion for all Flight Attendants.
Known Crewmember uses established security clearances related to our employment as certified safety and security professionals -- the last line of defense in aviation security onboard the aircraft. KCM grants flight crewmembers access to an alternate, expedited security screening. KCM was first available to Pilots in 2011 and after AFA advocacy, led to Flight Attendant inclusion in the program in 2012.
“AFA fought vigorously for Flight Attendants to be included in KCM and the union continues to seek ways to improve and expand the KCM program at all of our member-airlines,” said AFA International President Sara Nelson. “KCM is important to Flight Attendants and Pilots in their everyday work environment. Beyond providing a lift to crews’ quality of work-life, KCM puts more non-uniformed trained responders—extra ‘eyes, ears and hands’—past the gate.
Many Flight Attendants are boarding planes before they start their work day, either to commute to their destination to take off or while dead-heading. Non-uniformed trained personnel on aircraft enhances the safety and security for passengers and crew. KCM recognizes the training and certification of aviation's first responders, AFA's members.
AFA continues to support changes to KCM that add significant improvements to both the safety of U.S. aviation and the quality of life for flight crewmembers.
AFA joins the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) in encouraging all airports to move to KCM, leading to more efficient security screening for both crewmembers and passengers.
"This update to KCM policy recognizes that Flight Attendants are trusted members of the crew, the first responders on the aircraft, and the last line of defense in aviation security," Nelson stated.
Protect KCM - Compliance with the TSA Prohibited Items List
The government-approved Known Crewmember (KCM) program allows Flight Attendants and Pilots at many airlines to enjoy the convenience of expedited security screening. AFA worked with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to ensure that Flight Attendants be included in the program, which allows participating crew members to access sterile areas of the airport through a separate crew portal. It is up to each air carrier to determine whether they will participate in KCM.
To protect your ability to participate in the Known Crewmember program, you must abide by the following rules:
─Crewmembers may not transit the KCM portal with any TSA prohibited items.
─Carriage of another individual’s property through the KCM portal to circumvent screening is prohibited.
─All crew members transiting a KCM portal are subject to random screening.
Expedited screening is an earned privilege ─ not a right. While a majority of our AFA airline employers have chosen to participate, a few have not yet done so. Any breaches of the KCM requirements could jeopardize our standing in the program and the ability to expand it.
