The 11th and 12th Known Crewmember-participating airports opened for business today in Salt Lake City and Denver, with regular KCM users and newcomers alike praising the ALPA-inspired program. Known Crewmember, an enhanced security-screening program for airline crewmembers, positively verifies a pilot’s identity and employment status, strengthening aviation security and shortening screening lines for passengers.

Almost 100 pilots from United, Delta, Air Wisconsin, and other airlines used the new KCM checkpoint at Salt Lake City International Airport’s Terminal 1. Roughly the same number had gone through one of two access points at Denver International Airport by midday Tuesday. ALPA staff, TSA officials, and a Delta chief pilot were on hand to welcome pilots and encourage them to check out the Known Crewmember system.

“This is much quicker, this is much faster. This expedites the time we arrive at the airport and get to flight operations, which is a huge benefit so that we’re not stuck in lines,” said United F/O Chuck Higgins.

While Higgins has used Known Crewmember before at ORD, MSP, and elsewhere, first-time users marveled at the speed of the new system.

Delta Capt. Richard Stuth’s first experience with Known Crewmember was at Denver’s south access point. “I’m sure it’s going to be better than regular screening,” he said, later flashing a smile and thumbs-up after completing the process.

In addition to Salt Lake City and Denver, Known Crewmember will launch at two other airports later this week: two access points at Philadelphia on Wednesday and one at Newark on Thursday, bringing the total number of airports using KCM to 14.

ALPA and Airlines for America are working together with the TSA to bring Known Crewmember to even more airports this year. For information on the new KCM airports or to see checkpoint locations, click on the “KCM” tab on the ALPA smartphone app or visit www.knowncrewmember.org.