Flight attendants are reportedly refusing to give their consent to hand over biometric data to the federal government in order to use a new TSA line-skipping system that is being progressively rolled out at airports across the United States.
Since 2011, flight attendants and pilots have been able to bypass regular TSA airport security screening through the ‘Known Crewmember’ (KCM) program, which has never been administered by the Department of Homeland Security, but rather as a joint initiative between the Air Line Pilots Association and industry trade group Airlines For America (A4A).
A4A provided the TSA with a database of crew members who were eligible for KCM, and in order to skip the regular security line, flight attendants just had to show their KCM badge and airline ID pass, which a TSA agent would cross-reference against the active list of eligible crew members.
In 2025, however, the TSA came to an agreement with A4A and ALPA to permanently sunset Known Crewmember and replace it with a program administered by the federal government.
The new program is called Crewmember Access Point (CMAP), and it’s designed to be more secure than KCM. How? By taking a photo of the flight attendant or pilot at the security access point and using biometrics to match it with a photo of the crew member, which is held on existing federal databases.
Because the use of biometrics can sometimes prove controversial, crew members must actively consent to take part in the CMAP program.
There are some concerns among flight attendants about the federal government using biometrics to power CMAP, but crew members don’t have long to make up their minds over whether they give their consent for participation in the program.
The rollout of CMAP began last month after it was switched on at Washington National Airport (DCA), Dulles International Airport (IAD), and Las Vegas Harry Reid Airport.
From July 5, CMAP will then be rolled out to a slew of other airports, including: San Diego (SAN), San Antonio (SAT), Honolulu (HNL), Sacramento (SMF), Salt Lake City (SLC), Anchorage Ted Stevens (ANC), Fairbanks (FAI), Phoenix-Mesa Gateway (IWA), Austin-Bergstrom (AUS), and Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX).
Ten more airports will then be added on July 12, another ten on July 19, and a further ten on July 26.
Once an airport transitions to CMAP, the old KCM program is no longer usable, and crew members must consent to their biometrics being used. By the end of 2026, the TSA plans to have rolled out CMAP nationwide.
Earlier this month, DHS revealed that it would charge airlines $19 a year per crew member to use CMAP. With a workforce of more than 47,500 pilots and flight attendants, American Airlines faces a $2.64 million annual fee to allow its aircrew to use CMAP… That is, of course, if all crew members consent to their participation in the program.
United Airlines faces a similar annual bill of $2.17 million, and Delta Air Lines will be charged around $1.95 million per year for its aircrew to access the program. Meanwhile, Southwest Airlines will end up paying appoximately $1.38 million per year and JetBlue around $456,000.
The fee will not, however, come into force until January 1, 2027, when KCM is fully retired.
Good, fewer crew members means fewer CMAP delays and shorter lines.
Do I detect a note of sarcasm?
Imagine being this clueless 🙈
No crew member should ever skip TSA security.
You can’t read very well can ya??
THIS MEANS MORE COST AND HIGHER TICKET COST!JUST ANITHER GOVERNMENT TAX ON US CONSUMERS!
Tell me you didn’t read the actual article without telling me you didn’t read the actual article?!?? 🙄🙄🙄🙄
The airlines should be paying for the tsa agents annual salary .. no reason the taxpayers should flip the bill…
And if the airlines pay more they will just hike up ticket price to match and then you are still paying for it.
And let’s not forget control. Just another step in the governments quest of having full control over everybody. People need to take a stand before it’s to late…….
Settle down skippy
The title mentioned fight attendants refusing to sign up for the new program but it didn’t go into any depth about it except to list a few numbers about what it will cost airlines.
Because its not up to us. They already have i Biometrics for when we travel internationally. So this article is a little off key. What the government is waiting on is the Airlines to sign up. FAs and Pilots already participate kn KCM this is just a different thing. SMH should read Airlines are still thinking about the new program not the flight attendants. We’re all still waiting on full information which we haven’t gotten.
“Off key” is what gave you away.
Try again hun.
Gotta be smarter than that 💯 🤣
The “federal government” under the administration, is no longer by the people nor for the people. It is a fearsome entity which few should trust with their biometric data.
agree 101%
If you think this administration is the ones doing this you are wrong. Say what you want but we have more freedoms now than we did under Biden.
It’s said you’ve been drinking Kool-Aid
Unless you express any opinion contrary to Dear Leader, after which the DOJ cooks up sone excuse to investigate, indict, and/or prosecute you. “Must not disagree with Dear Leader!”
(He’s always wanted Chinese or North Korean style control over every aspect of government and his critics.
And Biden administration was trustworthy?
Were would those millions of dollars go?
Imagine that…..the Federal governmet trying to get our information. They already gave listening devices in our homes (hello alexa and seri, along with home security systems). Im do tired of them telling us what to do. And trying to get more personal information so they can track/control us.
When the federal government gets involved its for money or control only. Never for the benefit of the people. Our country has no government. It has always had a gang of thrives fooling us with two sides to choose ftom when they are one in the same. There are two parties though. We The People and politicians
We are next! Say no. Violates the constitution but hey what could gocwrong? LOL ALWAYS A MEANS TO AN END for them.
It’s ridiculous that the government would charge the airlines for this service, just like they charge passengers for global entry and TSA. The reality is their work load decrease when people sign up for these options. The government should make it the other way around-charge people for not using these programs, because it costs them more time and money to screen these people!!!
Tax UNDERCOVER, DARK GOVERNMENT AGENCIES RISE ON THE TICKETS $
When Democrats Allowed Terrorists, Murderers, Rapists, Thieves, Drug Dealers & the Like to Freely Enter onto American Soil…
They Initiated Processes Like This…
…Where Identity is Scrutinized Under a Microscope.
I’ve Noticed the Extra Security Online too.
Processes for Identifying BOTS are Everywhere…
…Even on my Own Accounts Where I have to Sign in Every Time I use Utube or One of my Emails.
Tech is Becoming The Bain of Our Existence…
Easy to Acquire “ID” Means Anyone Can “Assign” Themselves As Needed…That used to be the Realm of Criminals & Spys…Today It’s in the Hands of Anyone With a Computer & Printer.
I Don’t Think the Govt Should Charge the Airlines for a Program that The Govt is Forcing on the Airlines.
If Govt wants it … They Need to Pay For it.
Tax Payers Need to Rebel & Not “Spend” More of their Money on this Upgrade to “Special Privilege” Boarding.
Let’s Pass the “Save America” Voting Act…
Force ID Checks at Voting Booths…
Like You Are At Airports.
Believe your shift key may be misfiring
The Influx of Terrorists & Criminals Into America Was the Catalyst For These Kinds of Security Measures In Every Arena.
Now…Secure Our Voting Processes in a Similar Fashion…
Screen Voters Like We Do Airline Personnel & Passengers.
Well, passengers are already using the biometrics system at many airports already, the flight attendants can stop with the entitlement and either submit, like us passengers, or find a new job. Us passengers made thw decision that if we wanted to fly, we had to do it, we aren’t required to fly at all.
Nice buzz word.
You still don’t seem relevant.
Being unemployed seems to be a hot button subject for jason 🙈
Yea, the Headline and story was not about the flight members and crew…it was about the program. There was not even a mention of the option if the refuse completely what going to happen..
This seems pretty silly since most airlines (all the ones mentioned in the article) fly internationally and all flight attendants must carry their passports and be willing to be routed internationally. When you come back to the U.S. and go through Customs (the Federal Government) they give every person a biometric scan. So flight attendants are already getting a biometric scan that compares them to their passports.
This comment seems “pretty silly”. 🚮
If they don’t want to submit to the biometrics, they can stand in line with the rest of us and arrive two hours early before a flight. They should not be able to skip any security screening methods.
You can’t even trust your own family members these days …
Speak for yourself 🤍
The government has never been good at anything but wasting tax dollars. Now they want to fix something that isn’t broken and charge millions per year for it. That money comes from common folk who travel. Airline employees should stand up for themselves. We the people stand with them. They are just trying to do a job that is hard enough without government involvement.
This administration has been very transparent unlike the freak incest Biden administration who willfully used Gov. dept. as a weapon against basic American citizens, and whomever they feel disagreed with their policies. Why wouldn’t ppl want MORE SECURITY especially at the airport. It’s common sense, and those who want to blame Trump’s Adm. is just using that as an excuse for all their far left lunatic idiology.
We all need flying cars. Airlines should only be like buses for poor people.
If the program/database/system is accessible/maintained by a ‘for-profit private corporation’ thru public-private partnership, the for-profit private corporation wins & YOU the public taxpayer loses:
1) private corp gets guaranteed customer & revenue from gov contracts funded by YOU the taxpayer,
2) YOU the taxpayer is usually unaware & no vote or say in the choices & contract details,
3) private corp gets to analyze & mine YOU the taxpayers’ data for trends to monetize from, designing & rolling out new paid software/database subscriptions, problem-solving/consulting services, or similar,
4) private corp can use YOU the taxpayers’ data for other self-serving agenda, including targeting individuals or groups,
5) private corp can have the upper hand over YOU the taxpayer (thru gov that should be for the people by the people) in negotiations due to supposed tech/industry/security expertise,
6) private corp can get the opportunity to appear or become the subject matter expert that other govs or depts rely on, agreeing to their recommendations & services, further entrenching itself in the lives of YOU the taxpayer,
7) private corp gets to double-dip, charging the gov (really YOU the taxpayer) & the airlines $$$ to use their system,
8) YOU the taxpayer gets to richly eat additional costs passed down by the airlines. If gov chooses to also charge fees, YOU the taxpayer gets another privilege to fork out your hard-earned dollah-dollahs not just 2x but 3x!!!
You can add other possibilities & probabilities. If we the people are not watchful & speak up through proper channels or act lawfully, the private corporations will eventually swallow up & fully run our gov without YOU the taxpayers’ input. Then it shall no longer be BY the people, & most likely won’t be FOR the people.
Whoever is able to educate We The People on various concrete steps or call to actions, from baby steps to insider understanding of processes, please teach & share so We The People aren’t resigned to murmuring, complaining & bickering with one another, but get to be empowered to fight against oppressive systems & over-reach, transcending egos & identity politics. United we stand, divided we fall. Even just 1 voice can change the future for the good.
Nope there isn’t a valid reason for that bs smh just waisting time and money.How about paying TSA and the rest of the airport staff more money or making it easier for passengers to get on their flight in a timely manner
It’s the passengers that will be the cost eventually, isn’t it. The crew might bear some of it, but most of it will be added to fares, I’m sure.
Who do you think is going to absorb the cost? Just pass it on to consumers. Yet another TAX!!! WHEN WILL THE AMERICAN PUBLIC WAKE UP AND SAY NO!!!?
What’s next? MP A rectal exam?
47,500 X $19.00 = 902,500. Where is the author getting $2,000,000 from?
Your footing the bill twice, as the government pays for its inception, then again when you fly and these airlines raise fares to adjust. Meanwhile, the government takes in your 8.5 million per year as service fees from the the airlines. But are you any safer? That’s where the real question should lie?