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.