All Airlines Eligible To Participate In Initial Testing

Representatives from ALPA and ATA met recently with Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator John S. Pistole and received approval from TSA for testing of a new crewmember screening system. This enhanced identity and employment verification system for airline pilots will make airport checkpoint screening more efficient for all who depend on air transportation.

The system, which is jointly sponsored by ALPA and ATA, will tie airline employee databases together in a seamless way and enable TSA security officers to positively verify identity and employment status of crewmembers. In 2007, ALPA promoted to TSA the first version of an alternate screening method called the Crew Personnel Advanced Screening System (CrewPASS). CrewPASS has been used successfully at three East Coast airports for almost three years. This enhanced process leverages current technology to provide an effective and cost efficient solution.

“I look forward to the full national deployment of a known crewmember program at the earliest possible date,” said ALPA President Captain Lee Moak. “As professional airline pilots, we have been through employment checks; we have been fingerprinted; we have been through criminal background checks. We are the most highly screened employees in the aviation industry, and we are on the frontlines of our nation’s aviation security effort every day, empowered to help protect it. This enhanced process recognizes those facts by providing pilots with a technologically modern and highly efficient alternative to the traditional security screening process.”

“We are proud to partner with ALPA on this effort,” said ATA President Nicholas E. Calio. “Our nation’s airline pilots are highly skilled and trusted partners within our industry, and with this new system we can improve the screening system for flight crews while reducing congestion and improving the travel experience for passengers in TSA security lines.” 

“Deploying an enhanced screening program for pilots in uniform that allows TSA to verify their employment and identity is a step in the right direction as TSA continues to explore more risk-based, intelligence-driven security solutions,” said TSA Administrator John S. Pistole. “We want to focus our limited resources on passenger screening, while speeding and enhancing the checkpoint experience for everyone.”

Any TSA-regulated U.S. airline that wishes to connect to this enhanced system will be able to do so, and any airline pilot employed by one of those carriers will be able to participate in the program. Testing is projected to begin at a limited number of airports later this year. The tests will run for approximately 90 days and if successful will expand to additional U.S. airports.

Implementation of this system is the culmination of ongoing discussions precipitated by an earlier announcement by TSA to modify checkpoint screening procedures for crewmembers while an identity verification system was being developed.

"More efficient, updated and secure systems for commercial aviation are long overdue and we are proud to partner with regulators, Southwest Airlines and other organizations to improve the screening process for all professional flight crews," said Captain Steve Chase, President of the Southwest Airlines Pilots' Association. "Our flight crews are professionals and trusted agents and should be permitted to have greater ease of movement about the airport while on duty."

"We commend TSA's efforts to advance streamlined security screening for our pilots. However, TSA should not overlook the integral role of flight attendants who share responsibility with pilots for the safety and security of our customers," said Richard Anderson, Delta's chief executive. "Continued progress in this area must be made by recognizing that flight attendants are trusted trained professionals who undergo comprehensive background checks and deserve to be included in this program."

FMI: www.alpa.org, www.airlines.org, www.tsa.gov