Two top members of the House Committee on Homeland Security have lent their voices and their influence to the IAM effort to include Flight Attendants among the flight crew members authorized to use the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) expedited security screening system. Under current TSA guidelines, only pilots are entitled to access secure areas using this method.
Earlier this year, Transportation GVP Robert Roach, Jr. and staff from the IAM Legislative Department met with Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS), the ranking member on the House Homeland Security Committee, to discuss the issue and seek his support in extending coverage for CrewPASS to Flight Attendants.
Rep. Thompson explained that he believed it was Congress’ intent to extend the expedited screening system to include ALL aircraft crew members in the program, including Flight Attendants. The IAM requested he send a letter to TSA Administrator John Pistole explaining Congress’ intent.
In a letter dated April 12, Rep. Thompson and Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee, (D-TX), the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Committee on Homeland Security, sent the letter the IAM requested.
