4.24.22 – Important Known Crewmember (KCM) Reminders

Sunday, April 24, 2022

**Important Known Crewmember (KCM) Reminders**

Earlier this year, we informed you of an uptick in Known Crewmember (KCM) violations. Unfortunately, the trend in violations is continuing at an alarming rate. KCM access is a privilege, not a right. Because of the increasing number of KCM violations by our Flight Attendants, we are all in danger of losing this privilege.

The KCM program was achieved through many years of lobbying on Capitol Hill. It is not a contractual right, and much like any privilege, it can be taken away when abused and misused. Failure to adhere to the KCM rules can result in an individual’s suspension from the program. The TSA can also terminate an airline’s access to the program if the number of violations is exceedingly high, and that means for everyone.

Given the increasing number of violations we are experiencing, it is imperative that you read, familiarize yourself, and abide by the KCM Program Rules.

Disqualifying infractions will result in the immediate suspension of KCM privileges pending an investigation. The TSA will then send a notice to the company, informing them of the details of the alleged infraction.

The following are infractions that would result in disqualification from the KCM Program:

• Carrying a weapon or explosive on an aircraft.
• Carrying a weapon, explosive, or incendiary to an airport or onboard an aircraft on an individual’s person or accessible property.
• Carrying a weapon, explosive, or incendiary in checked baggage without properly complying with TSA requirements.
• Fraud and intentional falsification of records.
• Tampering or interfering with, compromising, modifying, or attempting to circumvent any security system, measure, or procedure.
• Entering, or presence within, a secured or sterile area without complying with the access control systems, measures, or procedures.
• Unauthorized use of any airport-issued or airport-approved access or identification medium.
• Entering the sterile area or boarding an aircraft without submitting to the screening and inspection procedures.
• Interference with screening personnel.
• Aircraft piracy.
• Interference with flight crew.
• Certain criminal acts on an aircraft.
• Threats or providing false information; and,
• Incidents onboard aircraft involving Federal Air Marshals.

If the TSA disqualifies you from the KCM program, the decision cannot be appealed.

If you are in plainclothes and selected for random screening at a KCM checkpoint and change into your uniform before proceeding to the screening checkpoint, that will be considered “tampering or interfering with, compromising, modifying, or attempting to circumvent any security system, measure, or procedure”, and might result in your disqualification from the program.

If you are unsure of what items you can or cannot bring through the secured area, check the Prohibited Items List on the TSA website.

The only exemption we are allowed while in uniform is from the 3-1-1 Liquids, Aerosols, Gels rule. If items are prohibited for passengers, those items are also prohibited for us.

In Solidarity,

Vivian Stubblefield
APFA National Safety & Security Chair
[email protected]