Release #: 14.26
March 31, 2014

Known Crewmember Program Reaches Milestone with Launch of 40th Facility

MILWAUKEE, WI—The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), Airlines for America (A4A), and the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) today announced the expansion of the Known Crewmember (KCM) program to include General Mitchell International Airport (MKE). The new facility joins the KCM program as its 40th location. KCM is a risk-based security screening program that enables Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security officers to positively verify the identity and employment status of crewmembers.

KCM facilities are dedicated security screening lanes for use by prescreened airline personnel that allow passengers in separate lines to move through TSA checkpoints with less delay. Testing of risk-based screening for flight crews began in 2008 and was approved by the TSA for expansion in 2009. As a result of ALPA’s successful partnerships with A4A and the TSA, KCM has evolved into a robust nationwide program, having screened over 15 million transits to date.

ALPA president Capt. Lee Moak said, “KCM has allowed TSA to refocus security resources, increase efficiency in security screenings, and significantly reduce wait times in security lines for both pilots and the traveling public. As this program continues to expand, we look forward to even more time and cost savings as the industry moves more toward risk-based security.”

“A4A and its U.S. airline members are pleased to continue its partnership with ALPA and TSA to further advance the KCM program that improves security and reduces passenger-screening congestion,” said A4A president and CEO Nicholas E. Calio. “The expansion of risk-based programs like KCM is making travel easier for our passengers and employees and we look forward to a continued rollout at airports nationwide.”

“Identity-based programs such as Known Crewmember enhance the screening process, strengthen our partnerships with aviation stakeholders, and allow our officers to focus on those who present a greater risk to aviation security,” said TSA Administrator John S. Pistole.

AFA-CWA International President Veda Shook said, “Known Crewmember recognizes our dual role as first responders and the last line of defense, and allows us to report to work with greater ease. Many flight attendants 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.”

There are currently 45 air carriers with pilots using KCM and 32 air carriers with flight attendants using KCM. The latest facility at MKE closely followed last week’s launch of the 39th KCM facility at William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) in Houston, Tex. ALPA’s goal is for all U.S. airlines to join the program and for it to be available nationwide. For the most up-to-date information on the current KCM airports and their access points, select the “KCM” tab on the ALPA smartphone app for iPhones and Droids, or visit www.knowncrewmember.org.

See the latest KCM by the numbers infographic here.

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