Association of Flight Attendants-CWA

KCM - No Uniform In Effect, Continued Random Screening

Effective January 13, 2015, the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) Known Crewmember (KCM) requirements changed to provide crewmembers access to KCM out of uniform. We ask for your cooperation as Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) become familiar with this KCM policy change. If you confront any challenges with regard to this policy change, please contact your AFA Local Council officers.

RANDOM SCREENING AND LAGS:

Under the KCM program, all crewmembers can be selected for additional random physical screening. Random screening is built in as a check and balance to ensure the integrity of the KCM system.

Crewmembers utilizing the KCM checkpoint, whether in uniform or out of uniform, are permitted to take excess liquids and gels (LAGs) through the checkpoint.

Random physical screening may require crewmembers to transit a main screening checkpoint.

1. If in uniform, excess LAGs are permitted.
2. Crewmembers not in uniform will NOT be permitted to travel with excess LAGs.

Nearly 60 airports are currently equipped with KCM screening checkpoints and more are expected to be added in 2015. Find information below on participating airports, checkpoint locations and hours of service.

It is up to each individual airline to commit to participating in the program, as the airline must create a database for the Flight Attendants. AFA will continue to work with our airline managements to support inclusion for all Flight Attendants.

AFA joins the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) in encouraging all airports and airlines to move to KCM, leading to more efficient security screening for both crewmembers and passengers.

Protect KCM - Compliance with the TSA Prohibited Items List

AFA worked with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to ensure that Flight Attendants could be included in the government-approved Known Crewmember (KCM). 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.

AFA Flight Attendants at the following carriers have access to expedited security screening in over 30 airports across the country:

Air Transport International
Air Wisconsin
Alaska Airlines (and Virgin America)
Compass Airlines
Endeavor Airlines
Envoy
Frontier
GoJet Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines
Horizon Air
Mesa
Miami Air International
Piedmont
PSA
Silver Airways
Spirit
United

At the AFA Executive Board in September 2012, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Associate Administrator Doug Hofsass elaborated on plans for inclusion of Flight Attendants in Known Crewmember (KCM) security screening for Flight Attendants, acknowledging that AFA worked tirelessly to secure Flight Attendant inclusion in KCM screening.

Most airlines have opted into the program, but 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. We are calling on Spirit, Mesa, Miami Air and Omni International management to make this commitment now.

Note: Crewmembers must be in uniform and have required identification to use the KCM access point.

The following is a list of airports currently participating in the Known Crewmember program: (as of January 2015)

• Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
• Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
• Bradley International Airport (BDL)
• Boston Logan (BOS)
• Charlotte/Douglas International (CLT)
• Chicago Midway International (MDW)
• Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)
• Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE)
• Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE)
• Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW)
• Dallas Love Field (DAL)
• Denver International Airport (DEN)
• Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW)
• El Paso International Airport (ELP)
• Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International (FLL)
• General Mitchell International Airport (MKE)
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL)
• Honolulu International (HNL)
• Houston George Bush Intercontinental (IAH)
• Houston Hobby Airport (HOU)
• Indianapolis International (IND)
• Jacksonville International Airport (JAX)
• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
• John Wayne Airport, Orange County (SNA)
• Kansas City International Airport (MCI)
• LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
• Lambert-St. Louis International (STL)
• Las Vegas McCarran International (LAS)
• Los Angeles International (LAX)
• Los Angeles/Ontario International Airport (ONT)
• Long Beach Airport (LGB)
• Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
• Louisville International Airport (SDF)
• Memphis International Airport (MEM)
• Miami International (MIA)
• Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP)
• Nashville International Airport (BNA)
• Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
• Oakland International Airport (OAK)
• O’Hare International (ORD)
• Orlando International (MCO)
• Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO)
• Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
• Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX)
• Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT)
• Portland International Airport (PDX)
• Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
• Reagan National Airport (DCA)
• Reno–Tahoe International Airport (RNO)
• Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
• San Diego International Airport (SAN)
• San Francisco International (SFO)
• Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA)
• Tucson International Airport (TUS)
• Washington Dulles International (IAD)
• Wichita Mid-Continent Airport (ICT)
• Will Rogers World Airport (OKC)

Airport access point locations & hours of operation >

Crewmember Questions and Answers >

Updated information regarding Known Crewmember access points>

AFA Ensured Known Crewmember Access for Flight Attendants

AFA members helped to keep this important issue at the forefront. As the leading advocate for Flight Attendant inclusion since the moment the program was first conceived, we left no stone unturned to realize this accomplishment.

Our union advocated forcefully at many levels of government and industry to secure Flight Attendant inclusion in KCM. Our advocacy spanned high level appointees in the Obama Administration, including Department of Homeland Secretary Janet Napolitano, TSA Administrator Pistole, Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Transportation officials and Members of Congress. Our Safety, Health and Security Department diligently worked with technical experts to ensure options for Flight Attendants to be included in the program. AFA expert testimony and Congressional office visits helped build momentum for Flight Attendant inclusion in the program with support from Capitol Hill. Congressional Testimony>

In their unwavering support for Flight Attendants, Congressional Representatives Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), and Bennie Thompson (D-MS) and Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) were champions of this issue, demanding full recognition for Flight Attendants as members of the crew and the industry’s most trusted travelers.

AFA members helped to keep this important issue at the forefront. As the leading advocate for Flight Attendant inclusion since the moment the program was first conceived, we left no stone unturned to realize this accomplishment. History of AFA's Advocacy for KCM>

At the AFA Executive Board in September 2012, TSA officials recognized AFA’s tireless advocacy and key role in securing Flight Attendant inclusion in KCM screening.

We commend the Air Line Pilots Association, ALPA, our counterpart union in the cockpit at many of our carriers, for its leadership in this process. ALPA was part of the initial test phase which included a limited number of crewmembers in a handful of airports. It was essential that the program be fully vetted before expanding to include all crewmembers at significantly more airports.

Known Crewmember, or KCM, uses established security clearances related to our employment as certified safety and security professionals. As first responders, Flight Attendants hold a primary stake in aviation security. We are the last line of defense in aviation security onboard the aircraft and we approach our role within the safety network with the utmost seriousness. Known Crewmember recognizes our integral role in maintaining US aviation safety.

Risk-Based Security and Program Benefits for Crew and Public

Let us be clear: KCM is not a means to bypass security. We continue to support 100% screening of all individuals who have access to our airplanes. It is an alternate, expedited screening process that utilizes real-time security clearance for aviation crewmembers.

This program both recognizes our role as first responders and the last line of defense, and it allows us to report to work and transit airports with greater ease. Many of us are working more hours than ever before and tens of thousands of us commute to work by plane. Our lives are improved by time not spent in a traditional security checkpoint each and every time we pass through a KCM airport.