New KCM Requirements But No Uniform Required
August 30, 2019 — This past week we worked with airlines and pilots to encourage TSA to halt a previously announced uniform requirement while we discussed possible other mitigations to maintain and enhance the Known Crewmember security screening.
Yesterday, we met at TSA headquarters as a group to review alternative or additional measures to mitigate risk to the KCM program, with minimal burden to crewmembers and ease of enforcement by Transportation Security Officers. We are happy to report that with the new mitigation procedures we have successfully removed the uniform requirement from TSA’s consideration of KCM requirements.
Acting Administrator Patty Cogswell reiterated during the meeting how important crewmembers are as part of the aviation security team. We are extremely grateful for her leadership through this process and her desire to work with us for solutions.
TSA will be issuing a notice Tuesday, September 3, to their officers about the new crewmember identification requirements, which will become effective Friday, September 6, 2019. The requirements are:
- If the crewmember is wearing a uniform, the crewmember must present, as they do now:
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- A non-expired government-issued photo ID (such as a passport or driver’s license); and
- An aircraft operator-issued crewmember photo ID (crew ID)
- If the crewmember is not wearing a uniform, the crewmember must present:
- A non-expired government-issued photo ID;
- An aircraft operator-issued crewmember photo ID; and
- A third form of identification, either:
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- A valid FAA Airman’s Certificate
- A valid FAA Flight Attendant Certificate of Proficiency; or
- A second non-expired government-issued photo ID
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This means that out of uniform you must plan to present a passport and driver’s license/government ID card or one of these items and your FAA Certification card.
At some airports Flight Attendants have been improperly directed to passenger screening if not in uniform, and in addition, that new KCM electronic randomizer function is selecting a very high percentage of crewmembers for passenger screening. AFA continues to work with TSA to resolve these issues as quickly as possible. Your reports have been instrumental in our ability to address these issues and correct discrepancies.
Please continue to respectfully question when given instruction that is not consistent with reported procedures. If the TSA Officer or manager persists with the instruction, comply and then document the incident through our reporting form.
KCM Questions and Reporting Form >
We fought hard to be included in KCM program. It is both a privilege as trusted crewmembers and a responsibility as part of aviation security. We all need to work together to ensure it continues to promote security and compliments our work as aviation’s last line of defense.
Please continue to follow all KCM program requirements.
