Angered over a significant increase in secondary checks of pilots using the Known Crewmember program, the American Airlines’ pilots union is suggesting its members deliberately delay flights by using standard security checkpoints.
Pilots Face Increased Secondary Screenings At U.S. Airports
The Known Crewmember program (KCM) allows pilots and flight attendants who have undergone an extensive background check to bypass traditional airport security. Instead, these individuals can enter the secure side of the airport by scanning their badge with a TSA officer then proceeding through the exit once the identity has been verified.
While pilots and flight attendants who use this program have always been subject to random secondary screenings, the number of secondary screenings has allegedly increased dramatically in the preceding months after a number of flight attendants were caught smuggling drugs. It has reached the point that pilots often face “random” secondary screenings more often than not and using a KCM can take more time than using a regular security line.
American Airlines’ Pilots Union Offers A Controversial Suggestion To Pilots
The president of the union representing pilots at American Airlines has a solution: delay flights to make a point. In a memo first shared by Ross Feinstein, Ed Sicher of the Allied Pilots Association (APA), outlines his concern:
“The word ‘expeditious’ can no longer be used in the same sentence as KCM. The KCM ‘privilege’ has become anything but due to the rising number of secondary screenings our pilots are being subjected to on a regular basis. It is not unusual for a pilot to be ‘randomly’ screened six or seven consecutive times. The rate of these screenings has increased to the point where expeditious screening at KCM has been replaced by unpredictable and in some cases lengthy delays.”
He then proposes that pilots begin using regular security lines and not cutting in front of other passengers when doing so (as is customary for flight crews):
“Since KCM no longer appears to be working as it was originally intended, it may be time for pilots to consider forgoing it completely until expedited screening becomes a reality again. Accordingly, I recommend using the standard passenger entry points for security screening when beginning and connecting on our sequences. For those who choose to do so, please do NOT jump in front of passengers who may also be harried and late due to the unpredictable nature of the TSA checkpoints.”
But asking pilots to avoid cutting in line is not out of altruism:
“By temporarily bypassing the KCM screening checkpoints, we will highlight to both the TSA and management the problems that have arisen with the system. Once KCM has been fixed to the point that it is once again a predictable means of expeditious security screening, I will be the first to encourage our pilots to exercise the privilege. Until then, you should consider utilizing traditional TSA screenings and wait in line with our passengers.”
How else will pilots “highlight” the problem to American Airlines and the TSA other than delaying flights. “Oh sorry, the line was so long I could not help it…”
Pilots Are Justified In Being Angry
Personally, I have a lot of sympathy toward pilots on this issue. I think it is more than ironic that pilots are not trusted to go through security without a full check but are then trusted to take the lives of hundreds into their hands every time they enter the flight deck.
There are a few bad apples when it comes to transporting drugs, guns, or other illicit items through checkpoints. Destroying the whole system to find them does not strike me as an effective use of resources. It’s the reason we do not subject everyone to a cavity search when arriving into the country (departing Israel is another story…).
CONCLUSION
The American Airlines’ pilots union is suggesting members deliberately delay flights by using regular airport security lines and not cutting in line. While that seems a bit draconian, perhaps such a measure is needed to reduce the number of secondary screenings at U.S. airports that render the KCM program worthless. The fact that we entrust a multi-million dollar machine and hundreds of lives to pilots every time they fly makes clear to me that we should trust them to avoid security checkpoints as well.
(H/T: One Mile At A Time)
Why slow down the passengers trying to get through security? The pilots beef is with TSA why piss off the passengers? The pilots pay union dues. You would think the union would want the traveling public support on this issue.
Who should care if illegal drugs are getting through via KCM? The DEA. Who should not care? The TSA.
Not their brief. Not their mission.
On the other hand, 1000s of employees make it through security with no issues to go to their respective job. Crew members are being held accountable because folks have been breaking the rules.
This one was already beat to death at OMAAT.
My god, US pilots are so entitled.
Another fine mess Unions will get us into Ollie.
Has nothing to do with unions….. they are just being a spiteful power-tripping, self-entitled bunch, as usual. Don’t “punish” the passengers and your employer by creating chaos. Their beef is with the TSA – So talk to your boss, American, to talk to the TSA. As well, the whole world has to be punished because of the criminal minded few ??
So, I have more US Government security checks than any pilot because of my job yet they can pass through with no security screening by showing a badge with minor checks (maybe a FBI check). How about those of us trusted more than an FA or pilot?? Takes us two years to get our clearance, how about them?? I think not
You’ve got a false equivalency here. Just because a pilot is trusted to not murder a flight full of passengers doesn’t mean that they’re on the up and up. Remember the United pilot who owned a series of bordellos? You’re suggesting that “a few bad apples” should be allowed to do as they wish to ensure that pilots don’t have to potentially be searched. Would you feel the same way about many people openly carrying around assault weapons in your kids school provided that the people carrying them had passed a thorough background check at some point? After all, no need to worry about a few bad apples. I think that erring on the side of caution and avoiding bad situations is the right move in both cases.
The only problem here is that the tsa is there to protect the security of travel. They are NOT there to detect contraband that does not constitute a security threat.
The tsa shouldn’t care if you have a few keys of blow in your carry-on – unless you have a handgun in there as well…
Separate issue. Completely valid, but separate. I certainly have my gripes with the TSA but like it or not they’re the ones doing the searching for weapons and contraband. I’m not sure that I’d want an additional government agency doing another round of checking as well anyway. Maybe the new generation of scanners will detect drugs and mitigate this issue.
Should they delay flights to make a point? Sure. If they want to be fired for being late. Go for it.
Random checks only get in increased if there is a reason. If the random checks are up, it means person’s violating the policies are up. Stop trying to sneak your wife or kids bags through security. Double check your bag to make sure your hunting knife or handgun weren’t “accidentally” left in there. In rease in violations means they have to increase random. Where there is smoke there is fire.
I do feel that this article tries to sluff the blame off on flight attendants. I am quite sure there are a good number of pilots that have been also caught. Funny how those aren’t mentioned in this article. The pilots were given a gift of a dedicated line for expediency, and they still find ways to blow it. TSA should never sacrifice security for speed, and that is what you are asking them to do…..should they do that with all passengers at the checkpoint? Allow more people through with weapons so they can get folks through faster? I think not. Crew members need to police themselves and the random checks will drop.
OMG… pilots have to be checked just like the unwashed masses! Big flipping deal. As incidents of box cutters, weapons and other bad things rise due to TSA laxness, one would think that pilots, – above all others, as they command the aircraft – would welcome enhanced security measures to ensure their safety as well as that of their passengers and crews. Is it a bother, perhaps, but to conciously elect to add further burdens to an already pretty miserable airport experience is truly unprofessional and unacceptable. Not surprising it is American crews – already deeply disgruntled – who are launching this offensive tactic. Has anyone engaged TSA or DOT to seek a reasonable remedy?
Whining and arrogance on the part of the union…why am I not surprised!!
And does the union thing it will get sympathy for Joe Public….considering airlines are throwing 15%-30% pay raises at flight deck crews….and my tax money keep you in your job during COVID….grow up, do you job, & act like a professional!!!!!!