The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is making the security process much easier for flight attendants at certain airports.
In cooperation with the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA), the Transport Workers Union (TWU) and Airlines for America (A4A), the TSA announced on Monday that flight attendants will have an expedited screening process as part of the Known Crewmember (KCM) program.
The program has already allowed uniformed pilots at 28 airlines to avoid lengthy security checks at 14 airports including Baltimore-Washington, Boston, Chicago O'Hare, Columbia (S.C.), Denver, Miami, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Newark, Phoenix, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Seattle-Tacoma and Washington Dulles. Now flight attendants will be added to the list. By the end of the year, they will have KCM benefits in 31 airports.
"TSA is pleased to expand the Known Crewmember screening program to include flight attendants," said TSA Administrator John S. Pistole in a press release. "Expanding these identity-based initiatives to individuals who are trusted travelers is a positive step in the evolution of the agency's ongoing risk-based security approach."
Known Crewmember began in April 2011 as part of an effort to put more focus on risky passengers. The TSA predicts that updating the KCM system to include flight attendants can take up to 12 months. Airports will also need to create separate checkpoint lines for these employees. However flight attendants may start going through expedited screening as early as the fall.
Flight attendant groups are happy with the TSA's changes. "Flight crews, and flight attendants in particular, are the trusted first responders responsible for protecting the flying public. TSA's decision recognizes this fact while promoting increased efficiency in our industry and I applaud it," said APFA President Laura Glading.
About 3,500 pilots a day already take advantage of the quick screening process. The TSA believes that allowing these uniformed airline members to go through quickly will reduce checkpoint lines for regular travelers.
"We appreciate the recognition given to our professional flight attendants by the TSA Administrator. In addition to expediting the crew member screening process, we believe it will also assist in the flow of other passengers as they transition through the airport security lanes," said TWU International President James C. Little.
Despite the special security treatment, airline employees will still be subject to random searches, as all passengers are.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
