Crew Pass
 

Did you guys see this? Finally the TSA is doing something worthwhile...

From our DO --

To All Pilots:

Yesterday, we received information with regard to a new TSA program called CrewPASS allowing pilots to use the CASS database to ease the security screening process. TSA is testing the program for sixty (60) days starting Thursday, July 17, 2008 at BWI, PIT and CAE only.

If anyone tries it out let us know how it works.

Sounds good.... must be the their blue shirts and shiny new badges are on back order;)

It's worked great for the last five years. You can apply at the following url:
https://tsatesting.net/ffdo/

I read in USA Today that the AFA opposed this. Their general opinion was that everyone boarding a plane should have to be screened. I bet their opinion would be very different if crew pass was for them.
See yoU Next Time!

ALPA is seeking emails on CrewPass improvements.... please email them at [email protected]. Here is my letter.

Main point: TSA is using uniforms as a form of ID, and pilots need to stand up and mandate back to them a big NO!

Letter:

ALPA representatives, I thank you for the efforts to implement the CrewPass program!

I do have three items for feedback on the CrewPass program:

1)
Uniforms:
I find the mandate to be in uniform to be an unacceptable part of this program. Airline Pilot uniforms are a) not uniform across the industry, b) available to the public, and c) inconvenient - if not a security risk during deadheads and/or commuting to/form work.

On item C... I would like to expand:
Travel in/out of uniform should be left to the Pilot's choice

a) Hijack threat: In the event of a hijacking attempt, uniformed crew will be the first to be targeted by a team or individual attempting to overcome the post 9-11 countermeasures. We should be encouraged to travel out of uniform, and TSA should not have the authority to judge if we are in a proper uniform or not. Uniforms may be used in an attempt to gain the trust of a flight crew to otherwise gain access to the flight deck ie impersonating a crew member.
b) Fatigue: Deadheading in Uniform and commuting.... how many times have we been asked questions, or involved in lengthy conversations because of the uniform we wear duing deadhead/commute travel? Authorizing travel out of uniform (as a choice) allows crew members to rest more effectively.
c) FFDO's use an alternate screening method that does not require a Pilot to be in uniform, nor does it identify their official role/purpose for using alternate screening.

2)
Identification:
CrewPass uses the CASS system and the Airline ID for identification and status.... that is perfect. However, as I discussed above in 1(C) - the uniform should not constitute a form of identification to TSA screeners as it provides no assurance of Identity, nor does it act as a alternate means to identify a commuting pilot or deadhead flight crew.

3)
Flight Attendant Union Opposition
This week I saw a formal complaint by a Flight Attendant Union to allowing pilots to "Bypass" security and potentially carry weapons on board aircraft. I would encourage ALPA to reach out to these unions and/or get ahead of this opinion. FA's could potentially eliminate this program, vs being included in the program and also allowed to use "alternate" screening within the CrewPass/CASS program.


Recommendations:
I would recommend that ALPA:

• Make a strong move to ban the use of Airline Pilot uniforms as a means of identification....and mandate to TSA that travel in uniform be left to the discretion of each individual.
• Implement an industry wide standard Airline Pilot Identification Card - such as change the color of the FAA Pilot's License from Blue to Red (or other color) to indicate Airline Pilot status and SIDA Access. Such ID would be required to be returned once out of active employment with a recognized airline, or be issued as a separate certificate. Most important, it should signal that such person has been properly briefed on SIDA access eliminating individual airport badges for transient crews (and the TSA hassles that exist industry wide because the flight crew is not from THAT airport).

I would be happy to further discuss these issues, and invite you to contact me at any time. Just a few ideas.....

Thanks for your attention to what I see as critical flaws with the current CrewPass program.

ExpressJet First Officer

Well said CFDoubleeye! I sent an Email referencing yours. :)

I think the uniform part is more for the traveling public then security. They don't want to give the impression lots of people are bypassing screening. They know the public will not have a problem with the pilots bypassing. In any regard it takes me about 45 seconds to duck into the bathroom and whip off my shirt and switch to a regular shirt.

Not the point. Why are we always deferring to the lowest common denominator,(see traveling public morons), and not doing what is right?

I foresee a long line of pilots waiting to get through. When one trys to move to the regular screen line (empty) he is told he MUST go through the "pilot" line. The TSA will retain the right to "spot" check some pilots on a ramdom basis. Somebody will screw up and be caught with a weapon or some sort of contraband. It will become a sport for the TSA to catch a pilot with something illeagal.

Somehow I don't see this being a big benefit to pilots.

Good post and email CFII.

I agree with that completely, as I imagine anyone with any common sense does as well.

Also a quick question on crewpass, does this allow us to bypass security completely?? Go through without even passing through a metal detector? Or does it just allow us to get around for example pulling our laptops out or something? Thanks. I believe it is the former, as anything else would be almost pointless.

ALPA has been careful to remind all of us that this program is an alternate form of security screening and that in no way does this allow a pilot to "bypass" security.

Once you check in to CrewPass, you are verified and simply go on your way without screening you bags, performing the pat down, etc. However, TSA reserves the right to do the through search of you, your bags, and a pat down on a "random" basis. If you do not appear in CrewPass as an active pilot, you have to go through the entire process with the people.

So, you may or may not have to go through the regular line...but most pilots will show up and be out of the area in less than 15 seconds.

Went through it in PIT this morning. Had the choice of CrewPass or regular security line since the FA's couldn't use it. Just need to show an alternate form of ID. No line, no hassles. Splits up the crew though until the FA's traverse the regular security line.

CFII, Great points, but one thing: does policy at your company require you to entertain these people? The other day, I sat down in the boarding area while waiting for my seat assignment, get out the newspaper that I had been planning to read, and Chuckles two seats over asks :

"Are you the pilot of this flight?"

No.

"Who do you fly for? Who do you fly for? WHO DO YOU FLY FOR?"

Don't let wearing your uniform cause you any fatigue. Not worth it.

__________________________________________________ ___________

>>b) Fatigue: Deadheading in Uniform and commuting.... how many times have we been asked questions, or involved in lengthy conversations because of the uniform we wear duing deadhead/commute travel?<<

Thats why I learned to do the superman quick change it the restroom.

Most of us have. The point is we shouldn't have to.

If you don't see walking through security in 15 seconds without lifting or unpacking your bags a benefit I would love to know what you consider a negative. The employee lines in many airports often have long lines with other employees. I have never seen a long line of pilots.

Don't get me wrong. I just am too old and cynical to think this will go off without a hitch. I was stopped by the TSA one time when I tried to go through the regular pax line instead of the crew line. There were 10 or so crew waiting for the xray machine so I just walked over to the empty machines to proceed. "Oh no, you can't go that way," I was told. "You should know better." Gawd!

I have been looking forward to this crew pass system for sooooo long I just have a hard time believing it. I look forward to it. As an aside, I wonder how many FFDOs will give up the weapon when they can get through security easier because of this system?

Went through BWI this morning. Not a huge time saver, but sooo much better to not be screened. The FA *****ed at us the whole time- too bad for you honey, tell your useless union to get your [large posteriors] on CASS. It almost felt like common sense briefly ruled my morning for a few minutes. Thank you ALPA, it takes the sting off those dues deductions. BTW, I agree completely about the uniforms.

What do you agree with about uniforms? Do you think that they should or shouldn't be required?

Yeah, that really helps for those of us who fly internationally... :rolleyes:

I must ask - did they harass you about your facial hair? :D

I stayed in Pittsburgh Friday night. When going through security Saturday morning, they waved me over to the crew pass lane. It consisted of 2 TSA people with a laptop. They took my airline ID and drivers license...a couple seconds later my CASS photo popped up on the computer and they let me go. It took all of 30 seconds.

I'd love to see more of this.

They should not be required.

Why are they requiring a second form of ID if you pict comes up in CASS?

Cass is the same way, Required to have passport although most gate ageents don't ask for it~

Pilots with us used it last week in PIT, said it went smooth, they said it would've moved quicker if the TSA wouldn't have been yapping to each other, right now they are being nice because they know the Pilots are liking the new service. Only a matter of time when their is only one person in there (instead of three that day) and you have to wait, and they are ****ed because they have to type the info in "all Day". ANd as previously mentioned by one of the so many Skinny pilots, "My Fat @$$" had to go through the old fashion way and we came through shortly behind them and they were nice enough to wait.

SkyWaitress

They're "yapping" because they're hoping the pilots will join their conversation so they can turn on their alcohol detection devises - their noses.

I remember being told by a buddy of mine who lives in LAS that a couple of years ago when an Airtran captain got busted for trying to fly while under influence the TSA agent who raised the alarm got a $500 or so locally authorized bonus from the LAS TSA office. So now many of them look at us as a possible "investment." :rolleyes:

Note I'm not defending that captain's actions, just repeating what my friend heard from one of his neighbors who works for TSA in LAS.

[QUOTE=SKYWAITRESS;429869ANd as previously mentioned by one of the so many Skinny pilots, "My Fat @$$" had to go through the old fashion way and we came through shortly behind them and they were nice enough to wait.
SkyWaitress[/QUOTE]

Ha, thanks for the laugh. While my ass is skinny, the rest of me isn't. I see by your screen name that you have a sense of humor, so I assume you knew I was joking. Our FA that day was seriously upset that we were doing CrewPass without her, but of course we waited for her. I'm baffled as to why the AFA is against this though.:confused:

We are not AFA so I don't know but I know someone in High up management elsewhere and was told CASS was never offered to FA's, It was only required to sit on the Pilot Jumpseat. But they are sure if Airinc (the company that runs cass) figures out that they can make more money buy adding us, I'm sure they will try BUT it will be up to the management group(s) to add US, but for most, it won't happen! From what I understand, the fees to join CASS and the monthly "upkeep" fees are Astronomical!

Skywaitress

AirInc runs CASS? Holy schmokies, if Kit Darby is in charge of CASS we’re all doomed. :eek:

Don't worry. ARINC (misspelled in another post) has zero connection with Kit Darby's Air Inc. and it sure as heck isn't Darby that's administering CASS.

Good because if Kit was in charge of CASS there would be a severe shortage of pilots in every cockpit! ;)

I knew the two had nothing to do with each other; I just wanted to pick on Kit that's all... :D

No but they said I smelled like cheese

This is a common misunderstanding. Passports aren't required for CASS, haven't been for about 2 years. Many airlines that had CASS prior to the changeover didn't want to change their systems (time and $), but it's not required anymore, and all CASS systems coming on-line now (what airline doesn't have CASS these days?) are required to meet the new, 'without a passport' requirements (all current CASS airlines meet them too, they just have an additional field, passport #, that carried over from the 'old days' of 2005). The passport was just so that gate agents could verify a photo ID that matches your face, your ID, and is easy to check for security. That was back when an agents computer terminal didn't have to display a photo. Now, all CASS verification has to be done @ a terminal that displays a full color photo - no more 'green screens'. That's why some smaller stations still can't verify pilots in CASS - they don't have color screens for the agents to use.

If you've got the valid ID, I don't see why you need to be in uniform or carrying a second ID for CrewPass - just like you don't need to be in uniform or carrying a second ID for CASS. I wonder if TSA asks for a 2nd ID simply b/c they're trained to ask for a government ID for all regular passengers - it keeps the policy uniform.

WN, NW, and AA all had CASS prior to the color photo and non-passport requirement (as did UPS). They likely didn't revamp their systems to get rid of the passport field, nor were they required to (or, they did revamp their systems but the gate agents ask out of habit or b/c they were never trained on the lack requirement for a passport). They are required to display a color photo, which they weren't prior to the change. Asking for passports isn't prohibited, but it's not a required part of the system anymore. The change happened Sept. 23rd, 2006. Fed Ex, I believe, was the first to go to the color photos. Many airlines didn't have the ability to send color photos @ the time though, which meant no access to Fed Ex, even if your carrier was CASS. Now every CASS carrier is required to be able to send a color photo to be in CASS.

If you know of an airport that has really old computers (green screens), go try to use CASS there - you can't. Doesn't matter if your passport # and name comes up on the screen. Color photo or CASS can't verify you.

If it makes you feel any better I recently got asked for my passport while deadheading (positive space) on my own airline by one of my own company's gate agents, while in uniform with company ID. There's no consistency - which is why I'm glad to see the crewpass system finally.
Now they need to mandate a similar database of all LEO's who carry weapons onboard flights. As it stands right now there is no way for the TSA to tell if a guy bringing a weapon on board has a real or a fake badge...

And some former ASA agents..now DAL working ASA flights........the girl wouldn't list me until I tore my bag apart looking for my passport.

The entire system is ridiculous. I have/had a sec clearance in the USAF, yet I had to get a frickin' FAA background check? Wasted $. Then....when I went back after furlough...my fingerprints were rejected. Why? Well the person I spoke with asked if I was in the military and had a Sec Clrc and asked some more questions. Turns out my prints with DAL were not high enough quality and didn't match my former DOD prints.....had to redo them.
All this CASS, Crew PASS...is CRAP for guys in the US Mil. We should be easy and free with regards to this..yet the FAA feels they need to do their own checks!

Who's to say that, even with a security clearance from the military, one hasn't done anything that was questionable since obtaining the clearance? Military personnel aren't above wrongdoing. Look at it this way. Suppose a pilot was hired and then furloughed from an airline in fairly short order. That pilot had just undergone a background check. Then said pilot gets hired by another airline. Guess what? He or she will have to do it again. In the context of going from one job to another, it is no different from the military.

Hello everybody,

I'm first-officer in a Brazilian airline, and I'm going to the US on October for English classes.

Does anyone know if we can get crew pass or jumpseat pass?

Thanks,

Gabriel.