Capt. Bryan Niddrie, ExpressJet, enjoying the new no uniform policy at the IAD KCM access point yesterday.

New Known Crewmember Rules Enacted

As was announced January 9, new Known Crewmember (KCM) rules went into effect across the system yesterday. The most notable change is a new policy that eliminates the requirement for crewmembers to be in uniform to use a KCM access point. This KCM enhancement came as a direct result of ALPA members making their views on this matter known to the Transportation Security Administration via their elected representatives and the Air Safety Organization's Aviation Security Group.

Another rule change concerns the types of items that crewmembers may bring with them through KCM portals, which was prompted by non-standardization in this regard at some airports. The agency has now clarified that policy—in favor of crewmembers—to stipulate that crewmembers have the same permissions for carrying items through KCM as passengers do through passenger screening checkpoints. It should be noted, however, that TSA has not changed its policy of only extending crewmember exemptions to uniformed crewmembers. As a result, if a non-uniformed pilot is sent to a passenger screening lane on a random basis, he or she will be screened as a passenger and will not be able to take advantage of the exemptions. ALPA has asked TSA to amend the rule to grant non-uniformed crews the same exemptions that uniformed crews receive in passenger screening lanes as long as they have proper ID.

Coincident with the new rules, KCM operations began yesterday at San Jose (SJC) with a single access point. It was previously announced that Reagan National Airport (DCA) would also begin operations yesterday, but the start date for that airport has been postponed indefinitely.

More detailed information about the new rules is provided at www.knowncrewmember.org and on the ALPA smartphone app. Questions about the new KCM rules should be directed to ALPA's Engineering & Air Safety Department at 800-424-2470 or EAS@alpa.org.

Travel Precaution Reminder

The recent, tragic events involving attacks on innocent civilians in Paris serve as yet another reminder of the need for taking adequate precautions while traveling, whether domestically or abroad. The U.S. State Department has stated that an analysis of past attacks and threats strongly suggests a focus by terrorists on not only targeting U.S. government facilities but also hotels, shopping areas, places of worship, and schools, among others. Those traveling abroad should be mindful that terrorist groups and those inspired by them can pose unpredictable threats in virtually any public venue.

In this regard, ALPA's Air Safety Organization's Aviation Security Group has created three instructional videos for members to enhance their personal security. These "Street Smarts" videos—entitled Mindset, Go Bag, and Hotel Security—were developed using ALPA expertise and resources and are recommended viewing.

Another security resource made available by ALPA for the use of members is the online World Watch service, which provides threat and other information for cities and regions around the world. Members are encouraged to use this service to plan for travels, whether as crewmembers or for other reasons.

New TTD Website Highlights Labor Unions

Last week, the Transportation Trades Department (TTD) launched a redesign of its website at www.ttd.org. In addition to creating a design that is sleek, modern, and user-friendly, TTD's goal is to direct more users to transportation labor's agenda and attract more activists to follow and engage in their work. The new website includes a page highlighting the work done by each of TTD's affiliated unions—including ALPA.

The Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, represents 32 member unions in the aviation, rail, transit, motor carrier, highway, longshore, maritime, and related industries.

Act Now to Deny NAI

With a new Congress in session, it is more imperative than ever to reiterate our call to Deny NAI. A decision could be reached any day, so it is important that the DOT and the White House continue to hear objections from Capitol Hill. The time to weigh in is now; your job depends on it. Even if you have acted in the past by sending Call to Action letters to DenyNAI, please weigh in again.

Yesterday, Captain Canoll sent letters on behalf of ALPA to lawmakers in the House and the Senate, affirming the long history of opposition to NAI's application at the Department of Transportation and asking lawmakers to begin 2015 by reiterating their strong stand for requiring DOT to follow the law.

Do your part by participating in ALPA's latest Call to Action to Deny NAI.

Read ALPA's latest post on Pilot Partisan: 2015 Congress Must Ensure Fair Competition for U.S. Airlines

Find Out Who Won ALPA-PAC's Project Wingman

Congratulations to Captain Bill Sawtelle (DAL) and First Officer Jolanda Witvliet (UAL) for winning the 2014 Project Wingman competition! Between the two of them, they recruited over 600 new PAC contributors and $6,000/month in new PAC receipts.

Overall, over 200 ALPA members recruited nearly 1,600 new PAC members and almost $18,000/month in new receipts throughout 2014. Those huge gains are supporting ALPA-PAC's efforts to generate pilot-partisan victories in Washington, D.C. With FAA reauthorization due this September and vital issues like NAI still being debated, now more than ever the PAC's work is essential to our success. Thank you to all of those pilots who participated in Project Wingman in 2014.

While the 2014 competition has ended, the 2015 competition has just begun. Click here to start recruiting your colleagues into the PAC and tally up your 2015 Wingman status today!

The descriptions of the Air Line Pilots Association PAC are not a solicitation to contribute to the PAC. Only ALPA members, ALPA executives, senior administrative and professional staff personnel, and their immediate family members living in the same household are eligible to contribute to ALPA-PAC. ALPA-PAC maintains and enforces a policy of refusing to accept contributions from any other source. ALPA members may learn more about ALPA-PAC and about contributing to ALPA-PAC by entering the members-only portion of this website.

New Pilot-Partisan Advocates Needed!

ALPA Government Affairs is conducting a District Advocate training webinar this Friday, January 16, at 11:00 a.m. EST and again next Friday, January 23, also at 11:00 a.m. EST. ALPA needs volunteers to promote the Association's pilot-partisan agenda by serving as representatives to their local congressional offices. Volunteers should be willing to schedule and conduct in-district advocacy visits with their members of Congress. This year is a big year for ALPA and pilots everywhere as the next FAA Reauthorization Bill will be introduced and considered on Capitol Hill. Be a part of enacting pro-pilot legislation that will better your career and the careers of future airline pilots!

The one-hour District Advocate webinar covers the structure of ALPA's grassroots program, how to set up and conduct local congressional visits, and current pilot-partisan issues. A computer with Internet access and a phone to dial in to a toll-free number are required.

Interested? E-mail Andrew.Rademaker@alpa.org to sign up and please indicate which date you will be attending.

• Heightened security checks coming to U.S. airports after AQAP calls for lone wolf plane bombers (CNN)
• Fit to fly: Airports where you can get a workout on your layover (Fox News)
• AirAsia fuselage found in Java Sea (USA TODAY)

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