Known Crewmember: Now in Charlotte, N.C.

October 30, 2012 - On Tuesday, October 30, ALPA pilots and staff were on hand at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) to launch the Known Crewmember (KCM) program, a risk-based screening system that enables TSA security officers to positively verify the identity and employment status of crewmembers. The CLT KCM access point is located in the F checkpoint access door hallway behind the information desk.

“ALPA first developed and presented the Known Crewmember concept to industry and government in 2007,” said Capt. Fred Eissler, chair of ALPA’s Security Committee. “Since then, the program has evolved and become a reality through a tremendously successful partnership among TSA, Airlines for America, and ALPA.”

“The Known Crewmember program reflects both airline pilots’ professional responsibility and the extensive background checks we receive throughout our careers as the most highly screened employee group in the airline industry,” said Capt. Robert Hamilton, ALPA’s Security Council chair. “This program is part of a risk-based approach to aviation security that matches our security resources to our vulnerabilities.” Hamilton attended the launch to assist pilots with the new screening process and to present ALPA’s views to journalists covering the event.

KCM is a joint initiative of ALPA and Airlines for America. ALPA has long promoted Known Crewmember as a win for everyone involved in the airline industry because the traveling public will see shorter lines, verified crewmembers will go through a more efficient screening process, and TSA will be able to use its screening resources more effectively, allowing its personnel to spend more time screening those travelers about whom little is known.

“Going through the Known Crewmember screening process today was fast and efficient,” said Capt. Jesse Coeling, chairman of the PSA Master Executive Council, who was on-site to see first-hand the program launch at Charlotte Douglas International and who also spoke with the news media. “KCM will make a tremendous difference for pilots when we report for work, while at the same time making the whole system more secure for everyone.”

More than 70 pilots went through the Known Crewmember checkpoint in Charlotte during the program’s first few hours of operation today. Charlotte Douglas International is a key location for KCM, with 735 daily departures, many of which are express airline operations. More than 30 airports nationwide are currently operating, or in the process of implementing, the Known Crewmember program. ALPA’s goal is nationwide implementation of the system.

For the most up-to-date information on the current KCM airports and their specific KCM portal locations, select the “KCM” tab on the ALPA smart phone app for iPhones and Droids, or visit www.knowncrewmember.org.