With the contract debate nearing a close I thought I’d bring up another issue facing us in the near term as sometime soon KCM is going away to be replaced with…….?
ALPA and the pilots have been excluded from the decision making process on KCM’s replacement. Frustrating to say in the least as is the seemingly greater than 50% chance of being “randomly” selected to “additional screening”.
ALPA sent out a reminder the other day that it is your right to ask for private screening in lieu of disrobing in public.

Well the other day both the FO and I set the detector off after being “randomly” selected. The TSA workers there said the new machines are very sensitive. I was asked to remove my jacket, belt and shoes. I declined and requested a private screening. It was as if the world ceased spinning. They didn’t know what to do, or who could do it. It took them about 20 minutes to round up 2 TSA workers to take me to a private room and another 10 to perform the screening.
They were very friendly and professional. I told them I did not feel it appropriate to disrobe in front of our passengers.

So the next morning at a different station once again we both won at “KCM roulette”, and we both again set the machines off. I again requested a private screening. The TSA workers here attempted to talk me out of it, and requested I remove my shoes, jacket and belt. I respectfully declined and told them it was my right to receive a private screening. After a 15 minute wait my request was accommodated and once again they were entirely friendly and professional.

I should add that I commute and my commute airport does have KCM. When selected for additional screening there I have NEVER set the machine off and I haven’t changed any article of clothing recently. Same belt, same shoes. I suspect that if a female crew member made a request for a private screening the wait for 2 qualified female TSA workers would be even longer than I experienced. Only certain members of the TSA “team” at an airport are qualified to perform this function. If at a smaller station both pilots and 2 flight attendants were “selected” (I have seen this happen several times) time for all to be privately screened could easily be 45 minutes.

KCM is one of this little bones we have been thrown that makes our lives a little bit easier. Our union resources helped create it. I do not wish to throw stones at those that abused it and ruined it for the rest of us. I only wish to point out a strategy to possibly compel DHS and TSA to give us a say in its replacement and to inform pilots that you do have an option.

 

I have always wondered this. Why is taking those things off in front of passengers? Passengers do it all the time.

What do I care if my belt is off. If passengers are scared at my flying ability after that, it’s on TSA.

Im sure you have good points so I’m curious.

 

It takes 60 seconds to walk through pre check. Get a grip guys

 

I fail to see how asking for private screening will force DHS to give pilot unions a “seat at the table,” but if it feels good to you, keep doing you.

 

It also used to take 60 seconds for Sky Club access…. How’s that working out at this point?

 

Really?! Does it really need to be spelled out for you or are you just doing your usual trolling?

 

really. I don’t see what it achieves, but I’m wholly ignorant of how political power actually functions

 

Spell it out for me.

I can’t believe me I’m arguing with Oof instead of against Oof.

 

Huh?……… I don’t get the correlation
Are you insinuating that lines will get longer? Ok let’s worry about things that haven’t happened yet. That’s super healthy

 

I do. Stones, spears, and other sharp objects for screwing it up for the rest of us. They deserve all the scorn they get, IMO.