This is the (completely useless) form letter the TSA sends when queried about CrewPass:

Thank you for e-mail concerning the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) evaluation and implementation of a sterile area access system, as required by the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (9/11 Act).

TSA remains committed to developing a sterile area access system to provide crewmembers expedited access through the screening checkpoint to support the operational needs of crewmembers and consequently satisfy the requirements of the 9/11 Act. TSA has previously acknowledged that the Air Line Pilots Association's (ALPA) Crew Personnel Advanced Security System (CrewPASS) concept represents an excellent basis for a sterile area access system and agreed to evaluate this proposal.

The 9/11 Act requires TSA to examine the feasibility of instituting a sterile area access system and provide any recommendations in a report to Congress. On March 26, 2008, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security submitted a report to Congress on efforts to institute a sterile area access system in accordance with Section 1614 of the 9/11 Act. The report outlined TSA's progress with this initiative but also provided an opportunity to clarify the numerous challenges associated with instituting a sterile area access system such as CrewPASS. TSA has informed ALPA that these challenges must also be taken into consideration.

Given the complex nature of creating a nationwide sterile area access system, TSA intends to test the feasibility of any sterile area access system on a pilot basis at selected airports before instituting a system on a national level. Pilot testing will allow TSA to test concepts and adjust or enhance any system to make wider deployment feasible. While we cannot provide a detailed timeline at this point, TSA is developing a plan to test a sterile area access system at multiple airports during this calendar year. We are keeping ALPA and our other aviation security partners apprised of all developments associated with this effort.

We hope this information is helpful.


TSA Contact Center