Pilots Welcome KCM to IAH, JFK The latest pilot screening points for
the Known Crewmember (KCM) program, developed jointly by ALPA and Airlines for
America (A4A), were activated today at Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in
Houston and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York. Access
points for IAH are at Terminal E, entry near Lane 6 of the security checkpoint;
and at Terminal A, direct access beside the checkpoint exit lane.
“The XJT pilot group has been waiting for a solution like this,” said F/O
Drew Wilkens, XJT Security Committee chairman. “KCM has been very much
anticipated and will be a very welcome change in IAH.”
Noted Capt. Jay Pierce, CAL MEC chairman, “I’m glad to see KCM being
implemented at more airports, for use by more ALPA pilots. The program
recognizes our professionalism and reflects the responsibilities we hold as
trusted crewmembers.”
Pilots at JFK were also able to transit security via the new KCM checkpoints
at Terminals 3, 5, and 8.
“This is really going to speed things up,” said DAL F/O
Adam Mercure. “Now I won’t have to (hold up) passengers to get through the
security line to get to work. I’m really going to like this.”
The addition of IAH and JFK bring the number of airports with KCM to 22, with
more to come. Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) opens on September 19, and five more sites
are slated through December.
KCM makes use of the extensive employment and background checks that
professional airline pilots already undergo as a condition of airline employment
to make security screening more efficient for crewmembers. KCM is now available
to more than 100 airlines, including all U.S. ALPA carriers.
For information on the new KCM airports or to see checkpoint locations,
select the “KCM” tab on the ALPA smartphone app or visit
www.knowncrewmember.org. |