Tell your coworkers to stop trying to smuggle drugs and guns. See more about our ethics policies here. A flight attendant like a pilot, goes through random drug tests. Prohibited Items Program Prohibited Items Program Page 1 of 12 Directive 15.9.3.1 Revision 1 I. 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. It takes all of us to to fly passengers. This enhanced identity-verification and employment-confirmation system for airline pilots will make airport checkpoint screening more efficient for all who depend on air transportation by removing airline pilots from passenger screening lines. The REAL problem is that airline management, in conjunction with the FA unions, basically hire anyone with a "pulse" to be a Flight Attendant. trailer
Historical flightdeck positions include: The Crew Appreciation charge is paid to Holland America Line team members and represents an important part of their compensation. When the JetBlue flight attendant in LAX got caught with cocaine shortly after F/As were included in the program, we all saw the writing on the wall. Making all of us lose this privilege will soon tax tsa, delay flights and and expand misconnects. Are allowed front-of-the-line access atTSA PreCheck lanes and standard passenger screening lanes. I am a U.S. airline pilot, and while disappointing, this development was not unexpected. There are 24,000 flight attendants just at my airline. My concern for flight attendants would be the TSA liquid limits. Done. The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) and NATA Compliance Services (NATACS) is pleased to offer the Known CrewmemberProgram (KCM) to certain Part 135 and Part 125 air charter pilots. 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. That is actually the reason why some of us Flight attendant give attitude when random, not for the process itself but for the attitude of lots of like you who you can tell from far that don't care about either passenger of Flights. Effective January 13, 2015, the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) Known Crewmember (KCM) requirements changed to provide crewmembers access to KCM out of uniform. The third most common is customer service on 10.7% of resumes. 31 years as an airline pilot and seven years naval aviator. 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. As a Flight Attendant I support keeping it for the pilots. There's always going to be a few who thwart the rules and get busted. _W+ 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. You're about as much of a "first responder" as the senior citizen who greets people at Walmart. BTW! You don't like your job and you feel so miserable at it. Nobody is throwing away a pilot career for smuggling. Ive also witnessed on more than one occasion a pilot attempt to bring a family member through KCM and then throw a hissy fit when theyre turned away. Its ridiculous they were added to the program. You guys walk right up to the front of the queue. Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Just because you hate your life and job doesnt mean everybody else does. An aircraft can board without a pilotbut not without the minimum crew of flight attendants.. and considering how long our duty days are, I don't know any flight attendants willing to leave their layover hotel a couple hours earlier. Some times 10 or 15 TSA screeners at the same time. The vast majority of flight attendants are dedicated professionals, but unfortunately there have been too many examples in the news of flight attendants trying to smuggle drugs through KCM. And I get to the plane faster. On October 21, 1520 Magellan finally entered the strait that he had been seeking and that came to bear his name. I am a passenger and one day I saw how nasty attitude you get to tsa for random checks. To check up-to-date regulations, prices of extra luggage, an exhaustive list . If the crewmember isnot wearinga uniform, the crewmember must present a KCM barcode card and a non-expired: Aircraft operator-issued crewmember photo ID or National Air Transport Association ID; and, A valid FAA Flight Attendant Certificate of Proficiency; or. Fine tuning of the program are very much in need but not just to our end, theirs (Government Screeners) too. Then there are the handful who do things they shouldn't do, that are making it a lot harder for everyone else. Our frustration has absolutely nothing to do with entitlement. The SF system randomly selects individuals to undergo selectee screening and will identify the printed boarding pass or seat request card with a SSSS. 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. Crewmembers are permitted to bring personal property through the KCM access points as long as that property is not on theTSAs. Unfortunately, too many folks don't realize or even care that flight attendants are safety professionals. An aircraft can board without a pilotbut not without the minimum crew of flight attendants.. and considering how long our duty days are, I don't know any flight attendants willing to leave their layover hotel a couple hours earlier. %PDF-1.4
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99.99% of those passengers have done nothing wrong, and are carrying no contraband nor weapons. Life boats are located on Deck 8. If you look at the Number of incidents that are occurring, the majority, are all flight attendants. 0000060977 00000 n
Enter your email address here and we will send you an email with your username and instructions on how to change your password. Also a lot of airports, like Ohare, dont require ground crew to go through security check points. Report: TSA Ending Known Crewmember Program In 2023 Ben Schlappig Published: November 30, 2022 Updated: December 4, 2022 201 While exact details remain to be seen, it would appear that airline pilots and flight attendants may have to consistently start going through airport security as of next year In this post: endstream
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I'm sorry but I simply do not want to allow anyone to be able to conduct any illegal activity via aviation; the drug crisis in the US is horrific and anyone that wants to protect their personal privileges to allow someone else to profit and kill others should simply not have those privileges. For those passengers saying we are using a program that they are paying for. The first step should be eliminating flight attendants from any expedited screening program. These include cultural goods, wild fauna and flora and products derived from these, vegetables and plant products, weapons and ammunition, medicines, tobacco and alcoholic beverages. page on our website to help with some of the misunderstandings in this program. Crewmembers will be met by a TSA Security Officer (TSO) who will ask for a KCM barcode card and the appropriate identification requirements (see above). List of Prohibited Items Examples of items prohibited by UPS include, but are not limited to the following: Ammunition (except as expressly provided in the "UPS Tariff/Terms and Conditions of Service - United States" beginning on page 7) Bank bills, notes or currency (other than coin) Corpses, cremated or disinterred remains Fireworks To view KCM security checkpoint lanes at DFW, please visit the Known Crewmember website. Encourage your airline to be more stringent in hiring, join the hiring team. Hold your fellow flight attendants responsible for their actions. CDCCheck is a web-based, touchless and digitized solution from DepartureCheck that complies with the documentation, attestation and record-keeping requirements of this order. Your fellow drug smugglers "submitted backgrounds" top. "Y'all fucked around and found out". If the crewmember/s indicates possession of the items above or personal international travel, the TSO will notify a Supervisory-TSO (STSO). I'm a 44 year flight attendant. We KCM should be 100% allowed for pilots there is a MASSIVE difference in career terms and pay between pilots and FAs. It is only there to prevent security threats to aviation, originally hijacking then terrorist attacks. 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 My concern for flight attendants would be the TSA liquid limits. Too much education, and not enough accountability. Now there's a delayairline management won't like that idea. If you disagree, go get your Airline Pilot Certificate and 1500 hours of flight time and compare that with the job requirements to become a flight attendant, and then tell me who is more likely to risk their career at a KCM checkpoint. That should have never been allowed any more than ground workers could access special security lines when traveling. And no youre not getting a credit. 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??? We did it Joe! After-all, who you gonna call when the "center does not hold" at 35,000 feet? 53 30
Crewmembers may request a new or replacement KCM barcode card from their airline management. governments around the world, including in the US, are doing more surveillance of their own citizens - let alone others from other countries. I ever wondered what if one of these TSA screeners or even a LEO get jumped in the Employees parking lot or else where and their uniform stolen?. All such a joke, Just ban flight attendants from the program, done. 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. Yes, we expect, when we get to kcm that we will just be able to walk through and it is a disappointment when we cant. Put 10 crew members in a line, 8 will get random. And then throwing a hissy fit when they are not allowed to do what they already know 100% they are not allowed to do? The current iteration of the KCM program has been around since 2011. KCM is a risk-based security program and the use of the KCM program is a privilege and not a right. A few extra minutes of my time isnt going to matter that much. I say, take it from those who violate the policy, but don't penalize those of who do right. Completely disagree with you Ben. Crew Member responsibilities include assisting customers as needed, answering questions, and completing daily tasks. I have witnessed them walk through checkpoints in droves with little more than a flash of a badge. I was getting randomly selected so many times, I never renewed my KCM. Cleaners/agents/food vendors/cleaning crews/maintenance. I said I'm not concerned with passenger volume or wait times. So many of these comments are quite entertaining. I don't really care if literally the whole crew, all my fellow passengers, and TSA are all smuggling drugs on every flight so long as I get where I'm headed. Any employee, even a pilot, could be enlisted to smuggle a weapon into the secure area to be passed to someone else. Surely if it truly were that long Donna (Karen) you absolutely would have taken a photo. KCM is beneficial when not abused. startxref
Hopefully, this is thought out carefully, or there will be delays because crewmembers will be held up at security checkpoints. Why even bother with KCM? 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. Responsibilities Conduct administrative duties and errands as required So much so, that I usually just go to security line. So many of these comments are quite entertaining. They are the problem, not pilots. Blame it on the flight attendants, but oh the pilots wouldn't try to smuggle anything. Then to say the flight attendants can make a few runs and make their salary. Crewmembers may request a new or replacement KCM barcode card from their airline management. There should be employee TSA entrance, no sense of having crews who show up last minute, which is understandable not having an employee entrance. That is not correct. Have a little fun with this!!! I have. There is no rolling back what the TSA currently does - like it or not. Because, trust me, the pilots wont be the ones to help! The folks who say TSA isn't here for drug smuggling interdiction are absolutely correct. Dont just blame a work group. Maximum penalties. Learn to comprehend what I'm saying. A lot of money from pilot dues was spent by the Air Line Pilots Association to help get the Known Crew Member program going. So much so, that I usually just go to security line. A:Airlines for America (A4A) has received some reports of crewmembers experiencing technical difficulties while trying to activate a KCM account or register a KCM barcode card on themykcmsupport.comwebsite.. Crewmembers that experience technical difficulties while either activating an account or registering a KCM barcode card should contact the KCM service provider directly atkcmsupport@arinc.com. So there you go. Flight crews already have to arrive hours before their flight and are not even getting paid. Your flight will be delayed while we get screened. It only takes a few bad apples (be it pilots or flight attendants) to ruin the process for everyone.. I highly doubt it but they wont release the exact numbers they give vague statements so they can grab more power. Meanwhile I have to show my employer issued ID, plus scan a TSA issued barcode identifying me and a 2nd Government issued picture ID (a 3rd ID not in uniform). The screenshot is going around. Therefore, KCM eligible crewmembers are required to understand theKCM Rules for Useand comply with these rules while using the KCM access points. Perhaps we should make it easy for flight attendants to get to the aircraft too? This would no longer be a joint initiative with the Air Line Pilots Association and Airlines for America, but rather would entirely be under the control of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). As a flight attendant KCM is a privilege most of us highly respect with air travel at an all time high to be sent thru regular screening will cause delays and many frustrations A:Authorized crewmembers traveling with a printed boarding pass or seat request card are subject to the TSA Secure Flight (SF) vetting system the same as passengers. I WILL share my information when the time is right - IF things do not get better for us working crew who - HAVE ALREADY - been put through multiple screening processes to ensure we were safe enough to serve the public on an aircraft. For everyones information, so long as the plane is on there is no need to have pilots on board while boarding passengers. This is exactly why you dont want the US government telling you how to live your life or whats good for you. They are picked up and dropped off from the ramp. It will be easier for you to smuggle drugs that way. I agree some abuse the system and rules in place. And those are not small. 2) You want to make the people who cross umpteen timezones for your safety stand around like the rest of you cheap cattle car bovines, watch crews take their sweet time at the back of the two hour A lot of money from pilot dues was spent by the Air Line Pilots Association to help get the Known Crew Member program going. The TSA is just theater of the absurd (95% fail rate*) . Because flight attendants would bring something to harm their day at work? Flights can board with/without pilots..however, a flight cannot board without the flight attendants. I use KCM and live in a base. My cousin is a flight attendant that flys internationally from South America to the United States. 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". Either way, you're a crewmember so you'd better get ready for work, you have peanuts to distribute. That is exactly what Flight Attendants do-every single day! ice axes and ice picks. (Note: Personal grooming items such as safety razors are allowed. Times one billion TSA searches a year means $10 billion annually taken from passengers, in addition to the fees and taxes used to pay for the activity. SIDA badge holder to carry it into the sterile area then give to the FA for delivery - many SIDA badge holders make less than FAs with easy entry into a position as long as they have a clean-ish background. For years, pilots and flight attendants havent had to regularly go through security, thanks to the Known Crewmember Program. Learn more. Crewmembers may not transit the KCM portal with any TSA prohibited items. Incidents onboard aircraft involving Federal Air Marshals. It is unfortunate that in 2023, the program may no longer exist for some. I use KCM and live in a base. The current system is broken beyond repair at the moment. Waiters, food services and others, including TSA workers who make minimum wage and have a thankless job, not so much. While we do try to list all the best miles and points deals, the site does not include all card companies or credit card offers available in the marketplace. Cops, firefighters and paramedics are first responders. Real professional comment on your part. Unfortunately, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has found circumstances where there have been egregious violations of the KCM requirements. That being said, as a retired airline pilot, what business is it of the TSA. First, crew members appreciate having a KCM check point. Questions about the specifics of the program should be directed to your airline. Just give us our own lane already. In May 2007, the TSA approved the first version of an alternate screening method called the Crew Personnel Advanced Screening System (CrewPASS). Its not just flight attendants fault khaki pants and white sneakers boy. I do agree that some Flight Attendants have ruined it a lot by doing wrong but if they cancel the program and don't provide an alternative you'll see the number of Flight Attendants dropping drastically because none of us would go stand for 3-4 hours in TSA and then at the gate without getting paid. endstream
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"A half a block" really? 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. Get ready for crew members to be cutting in front of you everywhere ! One morning last summer at SAN the PreCheck line was out the West Terminal door extending half a block. You seem to be missing the point and just jumping on the offense instead. Perhaps the TSA services will improve if there are enough complaints from pilots and FAs as they way they treat some people is unacceptable. Q:I have a SSSS on my boarding pass or seat request card, what do I do? Ive been going through regular security when I arrive at the airport at my home base just to avoid the bother of being sent there anyway. Also a lot of airports, like Ohare, dont require ground crew to go through security check points. Today's airline management and unions only care that the males can wear the female uniforms, makeup, tattoos, or fingernail polish, because it keeps the "price down". Nope, AFA, was also involved in the lobbying for KCM, all crew members or none. If your pass has a SSSS printed on it, you must undergo selectee screening at the passenger screening checkpoint. lost an engine, no hydraulics, a decompression, or worse) onboard your next flight and YOU need the assistance of a Flight Attendant to save your life or that of a loved one! So, according to you, FAs need to go through security because of prohibited items and drugs. The Known Crewmember (KCM) program is a joint initiative between Airlines for America (A4A) and the Air Line Pilots Association, Intl (ALPA).KCM ties airline employee databases together in a seamless way and enables Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security officers to positively verify the identity and employment status of crewmembers. Why would there be when you can dump whatever you are smuggling or take it to your car? A pilot with bad intentions could more easily overpower his crewmate with a weapon. Please read this for the facts and not speculation or conjecture. I have a problem with the guy with the neck tattoo making $18 bucks an hour that moves in and out of security without a second look telling me, a retired army officer with a top secret security clearance that I need more scrutiny. The ones working the KCM check point are the laziest ones. Keep dreaming. I'll bet you're very good at stacking pillows and blankets around something you'll never find. I'm sorry but I simply do not want to allow anyone to be able to conduct any illegal activity via aviation; the drug crisis in the US is horrific and anyone that wants to protect their personal privileges to allow someone else to profit and kill others should simply not have those privileges. I think that the best solution is to permanently revoke the KCM privilege from the offenders. These are limited to 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. Is air travel going to get even MORE expensive? The government-approved Known Crewmember (KCM) program allows Flight Attendants and Pilots at many airlines to enjoy the convenience of an expedited security screening. 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 Blame it on the flight attendants, but oh the pilots wouldn't try to smuggle anything. Then to say the flight attendants can make a few runs and make their salary. in order to get funding for another 10 years, whenin fact, they are not. What exactly are the numbers of people who are trying to sneak in illegal things through kcm? Known Crewmember (KCM) Policy Enhancements -Effective January 13 Beginning on January 13, 2015, Flight Attendants will have the option to transit through the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) Known Crew Member (KCM) checkpoint not in uniform. You seem to have a rather myopic view of the situation. DGU W2VTsscpKX
Ub. The vast majority of crew use KCM exactly as they should and are law abiding. An 18% service charge is automatically applied to all beverage purchases, bar retail items, specialty restaurant cover charges, all for-purchase a la carte menu items, and all Spa & Salon services. Such conduct can jeopardize crewmembers of their right to participate in the program and consequently jeopardizes the entire Known Crew Member (KCM) program. Trust me, they will do something about KCM.and it will include all working crew members. Punish those that broke the rule. That's 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? 0000000016 00000 n
Known Crewmember has been a wonderful privilege. 1. I have. Besides should you be focusing your energy on more important things like fighting the company to allow male FAs to wear blouses and heels! It has been a shit-show forever at many airports (I'll site a few problem locations: EWR is #1- their KCM NEVER WORKS, forcing Crew to the regular (oh I'm sorry) - As it is, many of us follow the rules and are constantly being chosen to go to regular security; I have no issue with going through but it has become and everyday event for most honest people. This enhancement will include retention of the Crewmember selection for USP for a period of time at all KCM access points in that airport. And how might a TSA random screening have prevented the German wings incident? There's no generally available program that would allow most people to bypass airport security altogether. All Crewmembers transiting a KCM portal are subject to random screening. Uniformed crewmembers are exempt from 3-1-1 restrictions. 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. And not using the KCM line. This story is incorrect. 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. But as federal employees they are obligated by duty and law to report violations of other federal/state laws when it comes to their attention - such as finding illegal narcotics while screening for WEI. Dangerous Goods must not be carried in (or as) passenger or crew-checked baggage Such conduct can jeopardize crewmembers of their right to participate in the program and consequently jeopardizes the entire Known Crew Member (KCM) program. The people being caught with contraband are both flight attendants and pilots. Pilots have years and $100,000 plus dollars invested in this career. 0000011580 00000 n
A second non-expired government-issued photo ID. When you are selected for random, at Denver for instance, you are told to go to random screening. Items Prohibited from Federal Facilities: 4 An Interagency Security Committee Standard List of Prohibited Items 4.0 Lists of Prohibited Items The items that are prohibited in Federal facilities include any item prohibited by any applicable Federal, State, local, and tribal law and/or ordinance, as well as firearms, dangerous weapons, Please remember you said this when YOU have a medical emergency or a general emergency (ie. c. May not access the sterile area through the KCM access point if any portion of their travel itinerary includes personal international travel. Can we also ban the pilots who brought their guns, or the ones bringing their wives wine? It didnt always exist. Without them, you're just an individual sitting in the gate area, getting angrier because your flight is delayed because the flight attendants are stuck in You really need to understand a few basics of airline travel. I'm tired of regularly going to KCM and being told that I got random. Dangerous goods permitted in carry-on baggage are also permitted "on one's person", except where otherwise specified. 4.1.2. Maybe pilots should stop bringing their guns to work. If your crew-member record is SPOTLESS, your random screening should be much much less. It also has warned that such violations could jeopardize the entire Known Crew Member program. Thanks to the right wing gun nuts that cant tell a difference between their flight bag and a range bag.