The Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l (ALPA) and the Air Transport Association of America (ATA) have begun operating the first test site for the "Known Crewmember" program at Chicago O'Hare International Airport, they announced last week.
An enhanced security-screening program for airline crew members, the new program positively verifies a pilot's identity and employment status, according to the groups, which cite strengthened aviation security and shorter security lines for passengers as major benefits.
"Since 2007, the Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l, has led a national effort, engaging with the Air Transport Association, the Transportation Security Administration and the airlines, to make the Known Crewmember program a reality," said ALPA President Capt. Lee Moak. "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."
Added ATA President and CEO Nicholas E. Calio, "We are pleased to join with ALPA to advance an enhanced security-screening system that can improve security and reduce line congestion, benefiting both passengers and crew members. We urge the TSA to include flight attendants in the Known Crewmember screening system so that they — and the traveling public — may also benefit from this enhanced screening system."
The Known Crewmember program enables Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers to positively verify the identity and employment status of airline flight crew members. As a result, airline pilots — who already undergo thorough criminal background checks and employment screening as a condition of their employment — will go through a more efficient security-screening process than members of the general public.
Initially, O'Hare airport will test three Known Crewmember access points. Four additional access points are scheduled to open later this month at Miami International Airport, with additional sites planned for later this year at Boston Logan International Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
For more information, visit www.knowncrewmember.org.