The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) and the Air Transport Association (ATA) have begun operations of a risk-based screening system for airline pilots, kicking off a trial at several airports that they expect will expand nationwide and to eventually include flight attendants.
The Known Crewmember program began at three access points at Chicago O’Hare International Airport last week and later this month will expand to Miami International Airport with four additional access points. Later this year, the evaluation phase of Known Crewmember will continue at Boston Logan, Washington Dulles, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Phoenix Sky Harbor and Seattle-Tacoma International Airports.
Under Known Crewmember, when a pilot approaches a Known Crewmember checkpoint, he or she presents their photo identification badge. A Transportation Security Officer (TSO) uses a laptop computer connected to an ATA-hosted system to connect with the airline’s crew database. The TSO is then pulls up a photo of the pilot to match the photo on the laptop with the badge and the individual.
This positive identification will give pilots expedited passage through security checkpoints.
In addition to positively verifying a pilot’s identity, Known Crewmember also verifies a pilot’s employment status. Combined with the fact that airline pilots already undergo a thorough fingerprint-based criminal background and employment check as a condition of their employment, it will mean that pilots will be subject to a more efficient security screening process at checkpoints.
“This enhanced screening process recognizes the extensive background checks pilots receive as part of their employment and, importantly, airline pilots’ critical role and responsibility in securing their aircraft each and every time they fly,” says Capt. Lee Moak, president of ALPA.
Known Crewmember is operated jointly by ALPA and ATA with oversight from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
TSA in the spring said it was ready to begin moving forward with a more efficient screening program for airline pilots following a growing chorus of complaints from pilots and their unions over checkpoint security procedures for pilots despite the extensive background checks they go through (TR2, April 13). At the time TSA Administrator John Pistole said the agency wants to focus its limited resources on passenger screening and be able to speed and enhance the checkpoint experience for everyone.
The two industry groups say they hope to make the program available to all U.S. airline pilots, noting that 13 airlines have already connected to Known Crewmember. They have also asked TSA to include flight attendants in the future.
Known Crewmember is also expected to improve the checkpoint experience for passengers by removing the airline pilots from passenger screening lines.
Following the 90 day trial, TSA, ALPA and ATA will review the results and make any necessary changes before the agency commits to full implementation of Known Crewmember.