That has never happened at any US domestic airport. . 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. Enjoy screening! They are using crew screening issues to say, "Hey - we're doing a great job!" I would love to see the upcoming changes on the program since I'm currently a flight attendant. US law is pretty clear that there is a legal basis for referring a suspected violator of US law to the appropriate law enforcement agency once there is a reasonable suspicious that arises out of a legitimate and legal search - which the TSA security process is. Actually, I've seen the pre- check line longer than the general boarding line! 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 an honor system just like Global Entry and Pre-Check, you're screened as to if you can be a "trusted traveler". TSOs are directed toadvisecrewmembers utilizing the KCM access points of the following procedures that arenotallowed. Please read this for the facts and not speculation or conjecture. There's too many crewmembers to have them all go through pre-check. Second, customers are always disappointed when a crew member steps to the front of a line. 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??? Again, the TSA doesn't handle drug cases but if they do even random checks and find something that is illegal, they are going to refer it to local or federal police. When it was in this form, there were virtually no problems. You also are aware that pilots have had their fair share of violations with kcm too, right? This is going to cause more time people wait in line and people already hate it when crew members arrive late to the aircraft. I just love how every flight attendant in the World is a drug smuggler and pilots have never been arrested for anything. The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered. Packages large enough to smuggle a sufficient quantity of drugs show up on X-rays or via manual searches. We did it Joe! "A half a block" really? If Will is a pilot, it only reinforces the often primadonma, elitist egos of many pilots. drills. 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. My grammar is literally better than yours so I'm not sure what point you're trying to make. NEWSFLASH: Most hand creams that flight attendants use (#1 preferred product by F/A's is "WORKING HANDS") have glycerine at the VERY TOP of the ingredients list. Review: EgyptAir Lounge Cairo Airport (CAI), Lufthansas Boeing 787 Business Class: Exactly As Expected. Security is an illusion there is no reason to subject those flying the airplane to TSA checks. Airline pilot here. The Crew Appreciation charge is paid to Holland America Line team members and represents an important part of their compensation. My cousin is a flight attendant that flys internationally from South America to the United States. 0000004686 00000 n
Its simply aggravation when you have to wait on a slow ass employee bus then drag your bag to security and here an offer say You wanna try your luck with a dumb ass grin on their face. Unfortunately, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has found circumstances where there have been egregious violations of the KCM requirements. Instead of addressing their mess, they are looking to SHOW how they are making changes to "Protect the public" by using us crew as an example. After X amount of time if (when) violations decrease, then just make KCM (or ECA) for pilots only. But it's ridiculous to get rid of a program that seems to be working fairly good so far. Ban the ones who broke the rules. 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. We have to submit to a background check to even have KCM.. its a shame a few bad incidents have to ruin this privilege,so tired of the public thinking we are provided with so many nice benefits we arent. So to clarify, a flight attendant like a pilot is required to do a strenuous background check. We also hoped it would inform and deter travelers from packing prohibited items in their own carry-on and checked bags. Sporting goods, kitchen utensils, tools, and other items with sharp edges or points capable of injuring a person. There are 24,000 flight attendants just at my airline. We do not speed up the security process because it's busy. Effective January 13, 2015, the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) Known Crewmember (KCM) requirements changed to provide crewmembers access to KCM out of uniform. (I hear at home about how the randoms seem to be more than the actual KCM good-to-gos.). Completely disagree with you Ben. (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!!!) The smuggling will just end up moving to the SIDA badge holders. Recently I was behind a FA in line to go thru themetal detectorsSHe rang 4 times so they just said go thru no problem.. Are allowed front-of-the-line access atTSA PreCheck lanes and standard passenger screening lanes. 4.1.2. Stay in your uniform you wont have that problem. I'm a crew member and lately the random checks have increased to the point of ridiculous. Its really an interesting take when you mention pilots dont need to be screened as much. How many pilots have been caught smuggling? You are barking up the wrong tree and won't win your argument by saying that any part fo society should ignore illegal activity because it might inconvenience you. Failure to submit to screening at the passenger screening checkpoint (e.g., using a SIDA badge to avoid screening) is considered circumvention of screening, and TSA may take enforcement action in accordance with the KCM Disqualification Protocols (KCMDP). Not one employee for any airline or airport goes through security. KCM does not exempt a crewmember from complying with these additional screening techniques. 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. Q: What should I do if the TSA cannot validate my identity and employment status at the KCM access point? So, lets start by eliminating FAs from KCM. They just walk all the way inside the secured area without being challenged or ID/Badge checked. Flight attendants have 2 months of training. A lot of money from pilot dues was spent by the Air Line Pilots Association to help get the Known Crew Member program going. Related Searches. 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 If a crewmember does not present an active KCM barcode card and is referred for screening, they must follow the TSOs instructions and complete the screening process at the passenger screening checkpoint. Youre a bunch of loser clowns. She'll sometimes get that friend who says, "Hey, can you take my nephew's laptop to the United States to that our friend over there can take it to get repaired/exchanged at the store where he bought it." Hotel and Transportation Issues We Need Facts! So TSA will have to expand 5% to maintain current levels of delays and missed flights. All Crew Members transiting a KCM portal are subject to random screening. 82 0 obj
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For all these keyboard cowboys, do you actually know how to Google? Its harassment as far as Im concerned its very frustrating to go through this every time you come to work. 1. In short, TSA KNOWS that multiple airline crew will push back, making noise that will DEFINITELY generate the news they need to remain relevant when it comes to their jobs. I use KCM and live in a base. Pilots should still be able to have KCM. Just give us a dedicated crew only lane. All items must be strictly for personal consumption, kept wrapped or sealed and not allowed to create any risk to health or likelihood of pest infestation in cabins or any other areas. DepartureCheck is a Passenger and Aircraft Operator Compliance Solutions Platform, brought to you by NATA Compliance Services (NATACS). knives or knife-like (whether or not made of metal), including leather working knives. Also, the US is rolling out more and more high tech scanners which are much faster. ORD uses outdated screening methods that are so medieval, I am guessing someone up top is pocketing government funding in lieu of updating their screening methods at this locale. He clearly doesnt do this on the day yo day and sounds dumb. I love my job and certainly contribute more than just having a pulse. My favorite is from all these so called pilots . Stop worrying about pilots in flight, attendants and worry about every other employee. Who cares if a pilot brings a gun onto a plane. You really need to understand a few basics of airline travel. Great, making the job even more miserable will help the pilot shortage, You all realize that the ramp agents and TSA making $15-$20 an hour bypass all security and could put a bomb on a plane, but pilots and even flight attendants have to go through screening. Remember, the crew may instead check your carry-on luggage when embarking, so if you carry any electronics that break the MSC drone policy, they may be confiscated until the end of the cruise. 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. Most airports have crew only lines and if they dont were allowed to walk to front of line while in uniform. endstream
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Exactly Mr. DeKnob! They may not be used on board . and when people are searched - which IS part of the security screening process - then there is a legitimate NECESSITY to escalate something that is illegally found to the appropriate law enforcement authorities. That volume won't come back to the regular checkpoints. I'm a TSA officer and I'm glad KCM is ending. endstream
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Interesting comment, at my local airport, SEA, screening for airport employees is done by the Port of Seattle, on a lower level, NOT the TSA at the lanes that the traveling public uses. 99.99% of those passengers have done nothing wrong, and are carrying no contraband nor weapons. In any event, I really enjoy reading your articles. 0000007899 00000 n
That is incorrect, KCM has an annual fee usually paid for by the union, company, or individual flight crew members - depending on the company. Things do NOT get fixed until the agency in question is FORCED into a state of change. Sadly people will always try and take advantage of a situation. 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. Its simply a raw grab for power by a federal government already out of control and unable to operate under the Constitution. Eh? Not airport staff and crew check point. All such a joke, Just ban flight attendants from the program, done. Where they can't, or don't, expand, everyone's delays will get worse. Hmm, your story sounds fishy. In your feeble mind, do you really think the TSA guy sitting there makes the rules? Keep dreaming. The folks that said lets punish those that break the rules are the only ones that have common sense. Zr 6+D`CWqkvqdG;\x\pxuS]\`IR]C}0MH7nVi
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?#a),O 6o_?y \Q:@ av Most of these tsa agents are regular people, lower paid, not highly educated. The FAA in their infinite wisdom starting requiring flight attendants to have an FAA Airman certificate several years ago. "First responders" L.O.L. Are you absolutely certain youd like to demean the ONLY people trained (and willing) on an aircraft at 40,000 ft. to do WHATEVER is necessary to save your sorry butt? Most crew have known for YEARS NOW that the TSA has done a piss-poor job of screening. ice axes and ice picks. Yes, I flew this week. In most instances, the TSA will send the crewmember a Letter of Investigation (LOI) explaining the incident that occurred, identifying the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) which the TSA believes was violated, and requesting a written response. Also a lot of airports, like Ohare, dont require ground crew to go through security check points. The difference between prohibited and restricted goods when posting parcels. I'm a 44 year flight attendant. I use KCM and live in a base. There have been reports of pilots caught with weapons when they get randomed. Other countries check their own and I have never witnessed this in the US. It's not at all fair to the crew members who do the right thing. I hope KCM is not done away with, but kept with added safeguards to prevent abuse. CBP is a little different here but TSA is definitely a lot of entry level type people just looking at a x ray machine doing what they were trained, like robots. After all, theres big money in smuggling drugs, and perhaps some newly minted flight attendants dont feel like they have that much to lose career-wise. The crew may have to deal with several emergencies such as cabin fires or first aid situations. Prohibited Items Week 2021. There are a number of products which have entry or exit limitations in Spain from outside the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Airlines - KNOWN CREWMEMBER Airlines Pilots from the airlines below currently can participate in the Known Crewmember program. ENR 5. Punish those that broke the rule. Ive seen grandpa working like its his second career to stay busy. Blame is on BOTH sides of the door. 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. I highly doubt it but they wont release the exact numbers they give vague statements so they can grab more power. 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. Why not stop all cars on the highway and search for drugs? Crew members who miss the ship should contact the ship's Agent who will be at the port (the address and phone number are always in the Princess Patter, a daily newsletter for our guests). If you don't like going through security, then commercial aviation is not the right job for you. HAAAA!!! It's the easiest post. document.getElementById( "ak_js" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Im a flight attendant and Ive been random 18 times out of 22 since I started counting in January. 0000001462 00000 n
Random screening/USP is a normal TSA screening policy. In my opinion and observations, many of the violations that have As a result of having the FAA certificate, they are allowed to use the KCM lines. Again, NOT for drug enforcement. I then thank them. Is the little baby upset that he can't go thru KCM cause his coworkers got busted smuggling drugs? After-all, in an emergency at 35,000-feet, calling 911 isn't going to save youbut the flight attendants just might? First of all your name makes you sound like a racist, secondly I dont remember seeing any articles in approximately the last decade of any pilots smuggling drugs through security. The STSO must: a. I think the KCM program is complete bullshit. Flights can board with/without pilots..however, a flight cannot board without the flight attendants. "Strip searched" When you fabricate, you lose all credibility. 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. "Y'all fucked around and found out". 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. 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 there is to be no special consideration for a FA then there should be none for pilots. I was getting randomly selected so many times, I never renewed my KCM. For those who say "well, they're flying the plane ." that didn't end well for the pax and rest of crew of the German flight whose pilot crashed it into a mountain after locking out his copilot, or probably MH360. Every pilot knows that you have to have a valid airline employee ID and be verified in the TSA computer database to get through KCM, no exceptions. On August 30, 2019, TSA announced new crewmember identification requirements. Stay connected with the latest travel, aviation, and credit card news. I'm guessing there are very few prohibited items discovered during random screening. The continued success of the program is dependent upon crewmembers demonstrating that they can be trusted to comply with all related requirements. Unaccompanied Baggage. You have a nice day. 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. It's not one bit different. I dont know if any pilots who have been caught in the USA smuggling drugs. I need to hurry up to get to the plane all while not getting paid for it until that boarding door closes. Please view our advertising policy page for additional details about our partners. Get a list of the restricted items, dangerous goods. The nerve of some of yall who give us an attitude when you get the random. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced that it will take over Known Crew member screening (KCM) in 2023. Yes, I am furious. So they pick on us instead. Second, customers are always disappointed when a crew member steps to the front of a line. Q:Difficulties with KCM Account Activation or Barcode Card Registration? What? And, while doom and gloom regarding the future might be reality, there is a good chance that it will be nowhere near as bad as some try to paint it. 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. Trust me, they will do something about KCM.and it will include all working crew members. Are allowed access to TSA PreChecklanes and standard passenger screening lanes. 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? <]>>
The plane wont be leaving without me as long as I inform schedule that Im in the airport. Goood good. This entire article was a joke and seemed more demeaning than informative. Flight attendants are consistently being found to bring prohibited items (including drugs, even though that's not what TSA is looking for) through KCM. I think the KCM program is complete bullshit. 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. Do exactly the opposite. If you are an Employee or an Administrator (DER) please enter the information below to have a password reset emailed to you. The duration of disqualification from participation in KCM is related to the seriousness of the violation and/or a repeated history of regulatory violations. There are multiple reports of pilots being busted with weapons. As a frequent flyer Ive received far more attitude from FAs them I ever have from TSA. Crewmembers can only view their previous 30 days of KCM usage. 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. Known Crewmember (KCM) - It's a Privilege, Not a Right! An average pilot makes whatunder $200k at best. 31 years as an airline pilot and seven years naval aviator. Only authorized crewmembers approved by the KCM system may enter the airport sterile area through a KCM access point. The simple reality is that pilots have FAR more to lose than flight attendants if they risk their career at a KCM checkpoint, and therefore they deserve a higher level of trust. 0000011580 00000 n
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. 0000056810 00000 n
Pilots have much more to lose. 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. Also, according to you, pilots don't have to because "." does this mean pilots can't do exactly what yiu allege FAs are doing? For context, with the Known Crewmember Program, eligible pilots and flight attendants dont have to clear security when passing through airports. We do get front of the line access. Packages large enough to smuggle a sufficient quantity of and when people are searched - which IS part of the security screening process - then there is a legitimate NECESSITY to escalate something that is illegally found to the appropriate law enforcement authorities. So many of these comments are quite entertaining. I say some because there are agents, pilots, and flights that don't clear security at all. 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. Next time you get on a flight that is cancelled or delayed because the crew cant get through security in a timely fashion perhaps you will remember this . If the crewmember/s indicates possession of the items above or personal international travel, the TSO will notify a Supervisory-TSO (STSO). 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. Encourage your airline to be more stringent in hiring, join You seem to be missing the point and just jumping on the offense instead. More egregious violations of the Code Federal Regulations (CFRs) could result in civil or criminal penalties. Your password can only be changed once per 24 hours. 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. Im not attacking them personally but if you think they are some highly specialized person they are not. * link https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/06/02/411423341/head-of-tsa-reassigned-after-tests-reveal-security-failures, you tsa guys are cluelessspend a day in ben gurion airport (TLV) and learn what it takes to prevent a 9-11.
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