Biometrics Will Be Used To Identify Airline Crews

TSA announced Wednesday it has set the standards for the CrewPASS program, paving the way for nationwide expansion. CrewPASS is an initiative that verifies flight crew identity through biometrics, enhancing security and expediting the screening process for all travelers.

"CrewPASS is an excellent example of public-private partnership that expedites travel for flight crews, while increasing security standards," said John Sammon, assistant administrator, TSA.

"Working together, TSA, ALPA, ARINC and others made CrewPASS a success in its test phase, and soon it will be possible to put it in place at airports nationwide," said ALPA President Capt. John Prater. "As a result, the identity of U.S. pilots will be positively verified and crewmembers will be expedited through security screening checkpoints."

Eligible flight deck crewmembers will enter the secure area via the exit lane of the security checkpoint after presenting their airline-issued identification and another form of ID to Transportation Security Officers (TSOs). An approved biometric will also be used to enhance identity verification. TSOs will check these credentials against the Cockpit Access Security System (CASS) database, which includes a picture and other information to verify the individual's employment status.

Flight deck crewmembers who utilize this program will also be subject to random screening, observation by behavior detection officers and other layers of security.

TSA's standards require CrewPASS service providers to, among other things, include a biometric component in crewmember credentials before requesting approval to expand the system to additional U.S. airports.

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