TSA CASS/Known Crew Member Background Check

[Wanobi]

I see a ton of information on Flight Crews but they mainly concern Pilots. I am asking from a Dispatcher perspective. I am a student wondering if this will be a possible career choice.

Background Information:
Live in Texas (DFW Metroplex).
I work as a ramper.
I have SIDA access to DFW Airport. I believe I passed some sort of semi-strict background check to get this clearance. It seems like DFW Airport didn't bat an eye when I applied for the clearance... They didn't ask for any additional information or court paperwork, ask to hear my side of the story or anything.
I am trying to get to a Part 121 Airline and under the FAA Regulations, Aircraft Dispatchers have to be a part of the CASS/KCM program (as well as drug tested due to being a safety sensitive position).

Legal Information:
I have been arrested a few times (2x misdemeanor [marijuana possession 2008, possession of a controlled substance 2017], 1x felony [manufacture with intent 2009]).
Every time I received deferred adjudication and completed my probation. All charges have been dismissed and I was never convicted.

Legal Questions:
Would it be company specific or is it more of a federal mandate or law?
Would I have to disclose my arrests even if they are outside the 10 year window that I saw when I applied for my SIDA badge? (I did not disclose them for DFW Airport and received my badge rather quickly)
Is the CASS system approval/KCM the same agency that approves SIDA badges at Federal Airports (I believe it was a TSA background check)?

I'm not trying to hide anything or like that. I always believe honesty is the best policy when it comes to my record. I would just rather prefer to not disclose information if I don't have to.

I also want to set realistic goals in my career and if being a 121 Dispatcher is out of the question I would rather find out earlier than later. I don't want to waste a company's time to interview me and approve me only to find out I would never be able to get CASS approval.

I appreciate your time, I'm sure there aren't many aviation lawyers on here but I would love to get referred to one if ya'll have any suggestions. Obviously my lawyer had no idea about the CASS/KCM process so he was no help.

Thank you again,

-Wanobi

 

[dustoff17]

................I have been arrested.......................possession of a controlled substance 2017................
Every time I received deferred adjudication and completed my probation. All charges have been dismissed and I was never convicted.

.........................Would I have to disclose my arrests even if they are outside the 10 year window that I saw when I applied for my SIDA badge? (I did not disclose them for DFW Airport and received my badge rather quickly)
Is the CASS system approval/KCM the same agency that approves SIDA badges at Federal Airports (I believe it was a TSA background check)?

I'm not trying to hide anything or like that. I always believe honesty is the best policy when it comes to my record. I would just rather prefer to not disclose information if I don't have to.
......................................................................

-Wanobi

I'm a bit confused here; you "did not disclose" and you're "not trying to hide anything..."?
Did the SIDA application ask for 10 years worth of arrests record and you didn't disclose? If so, you may have bigger problems than not being a dispatcher in the future. This is Federal here.........

So AFTER a Misdemeanor AND a Felony drug charge, you wait 8 years and get another charge? OR did you continue in the drug world and it took them 8 years to catch you again? These are questions that will likely be asked. If I were hiring, your history of drugs/possession alone may not be an issue. However, pile it on with your history of making poor choices about drugs over a span of 9 years and you're looking at something different and THAT may.

Advice: Keep clean and obey the laws for the next few years, get the 2017 arrest 10 years behind you, and then try.

P.S. Not an attorney

 

[Wanobi]

I'm a bit confused here; you "did not disclose" and you're "not trying to hide anything..."?
Did the SIDA application ask for 10 years worth of arrests record and you didn't disclose? If so, you may have bigger problems than not being a dispatcher in the future. This is Federal here.........

I didnt disclose it because I didnt have to. It said in the last 10 years have you committed any of these crimes. Its the standard 28 crimes for aviation background checks. Aircraft piracy, interfering with a flight crew, ect. 2009 was 12 years ago so I didnt disclose my intent to distribute charge. If they said 12 years I obviously would have disclosed it. It said 10 so I answered honestly. Gotta read questions thoroughly, attention to detail is a must especially in aviation.
"An individual is disqualified if the individual has been convicted, or found not guilty by reason of insanity, of any of the disqualifying crimes listed below during the 10 years before the date of the individual's application for authority to perform covered functions, or while the individual has the authority to perform covered functions."

So AFTER a Misdemeanor AND a Felony drug charge, you wait 8 years and get another charge? OR did you continue in the drug world and it took them 8 years to catch you again? These are questions that will likely be asked. If I were hiring, your history of drugs/possession alone may not be an issue. However, pile it on with your history of making poor choices about drugs over a span of 9 years and you're looking at something different and THAT may.

So I completed probation in 2016 and caught another one right after. Seems drugs just get a bad wrap. If i had a DWI/DUI, I feel like it would be less frowned upon

Advice: Keep clean and obey the laws for the next few years, get the 2017 arrest 10 years behind you, and then try.

Thats the plan. So even though I wouldn't have to disclose the 2017 arrest (because its not on the TSA Disqualifying list), I should still wait until 2027 to try and get a Part 121 Dispatch job? yikes.

It just surprises me that the TSA/FBI background check at the airport (with finger prints and everything) didnt even ask. Like when I applied back in 2017 they said re apply when I was off probation for the 2017 arrest. They even put me on the "do not escort list" and I had to do administrative duties until I applied in 2019.

Guess I just need to find an aviation lawyer...

 

[Wanobi]

For anyone wondering...

AOPA has great resources with this matter. They even helped a non pilot.

Basically there are federal AND state laws that need to be abided so it depends on first the Federal regs as well as the where the company is based (and their state laws).

Super fun. Stay safe out there

 

[Boots2Wings]

Rather than beat the dead horse here, I will give you credit for you bluntness (no pun intended I assure you) for being relatively upfront about all that. But to echo what has been said, the 2017 conviction will likely be a fairly big hurdle.
Not only do you have that federal list you identified, and conveniently can articulate why you dont fall into one of those listed within the previous 10 years, but you will have, in all likelihood, an expanded list for any company hiring process you go through.

As dustoff alluded to, the fact that theres a demonstrable pattern for the majority of the last 15 years, makes you (and since you were rather frank, i will be aswell) extremely risky, and therefor undesirable for a safety sensitive function. Get 5-10 years, completely scot free, and that stigma will disappear….to an extent.

I agree with you on the fact drugs are treated more severely than duis, and whether or not it is fair, I can promise you there isnt a single aviator here who has 2 misdemeanor duis and a felony dui related conviction across the same time frame that is still allowed to touch an airplane, let alone in 121 or 135 ops.

As far as it goes, the federal government (and those who work directly under its laws) will be very archaic, and the fear mongering/misconception of drugs will likely permeate well into the future.

Best of luck. Keep you head up, and be ready to routinely answer the difficult, uncomfortable questions. But if you want it, don’t quit….except the drugs….quit those for good (or until the legislation catches up)

 

[Space Monkey]

Rather than beat the dead horse here, I will give you credit for you bluntness (no pun intended I assure you)

Intended or not, that's a good one!!

 

[QXDX]

I see a ton of information on Flight Crews but they mainly concern Pilots. I am asking from a Dispatcher perspective. I am a student wondering if this will be a possible career choice.

Background Information:
Live in Texas (DFW Metroplex).
I work as a ramper.
I have SIDA access to DFW Airport. I believe I passed some sort of semi-strict background check to get this clearance. It seems like DFW Airport didn't bat an eye when I applied for the clearance... They didn't ask for any additional information or court paperwork, ask to hear my side of the story or anything.
I am trying to get to a Part 121 Airline and under the FAA Regulations, Aircraft Dispatchers have to be a part of the CASS/KCM program (as well as drug tested due to being a safety sensitive position).

Legal Information:
I have been arrested a few times (2x misdemeanor [marijuana possession 2008, possession of a controlled substance 2017], 1x felony [manufacture with intent 2009]).
Every time I received deferred adjudication and completed my probation. All charges have been dismissed and I was never convicted.

Legal Questions:
Would it be company specific or is it more of a federal mandate or law?
Would I have to disclose my arrests even if they are outside the 10 year window that I saw when I applied for my SIDA badge? (I did not disclose them for DFW Airport and received my badge rather quickly)
Is the CASS system approval/KCM the same agency that approves SIDA badges at Federal Airports (I believe it was a TSA background check)?

I'm not trying to hide anything or like that. I always believe honesty is the best policy when it comes to my record. I would just rather prefer to not disclose information if I don't have to.

I also want to set realistic goals in my career and if being a 121 Dispatcher is out of the question I would rather find out earlier than later. I don't want to waste a company's time to interview me and approve me only to find out I would never be able to get CASS approval.

I appreciate your time, I'm sure there aren't many aviation lawyers on here but I would love to get referred to one if ya'll have any suggestions. Obviously my lawyer had no idea about the CASS/KCM process so he was no help.

Thank you again,

-Wanobi

There are Department of Transportation drug and alcohol related regulations that will permanently bar a person from employment in certain safety sensitive airline positions. That includes Dispatcher positions. While I think they deal primarily with being under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol while on duty, I recommend researching those regulations as your first step.

 

[Autothrust Blue]

As far as it goes, the federal government (and those who work directly under its laws) will be very archaic, and the fear mongering/misconception of drugs will likely permeate well into the future.

Pot is still illegal as far as the federal government of the United States is concerned.

Call Congress: 202-224-3121 with comments or concerns.

 

[Wardogg]

Pot is still illegal as far as the federal government of the United States is concerned.

Call Congress: 202-224-3121 with comments or concerns.

And even if it were legal, certain jobs and businesses can still preclude you from working for them. The precedence is already set.

Hospitals turn away applicants who smoke

Methodist Hospital System in Houston this month announcedit will implement a tobacco-free...

www.chron.com

I mean we have businesses turning away people for NOT having a substance in their system. Weird times.

 

[Autothrust Blue]

I mean we have businesses turning away people for NOT having a substance in their system. Weird times.

I see where you're trying to take that, but the reality is there's a significant difference between the presence of a prohibited substance and not being vaccinated.

 

[Wardogg]

I see where you're trying to take that, but the reality is there's a significant difference between the presence of a prohibited substance and not being vaccinated.

Im not trying to take it anywhere. The point of my post was that if you smoke cigarettes, a legal substance, that can preclude you from getting a job in some fields at certain business. Like my example showed. So legalizing weed isn't going to change much. Businesses can still preclude you from working there for having it in your system.

And while not the same, the similarities between testing you for illegal substances and testing you for antibodies is eerily similar. Especially when in either case your livelihood can be affected. Choices right? Smoke weed, can't be a pilot for United. Don't take a certain vaccination, you can't be a pilot for United. At least for the time being, the policy may change in the future. I've never been asked my vaccination status in any flying job interview as of yet.

 

[CFI A&P]

And even if it were legal, certain jobs and businesses can still preclude you from working for them. The precedence is already set.

Hospitals turn away applicants who smoke

Methodist Hospital System in Houston this month announcedit will implement a tobacco-free...

www.chron.com

I mean we have businesses turning away people for NOT having a substance in their system. Weird times.

Im not trying to take it anywhere. The point of my post was that if you smoke cigarettes, a legal substance, that can preclude you from getting a job in some fields at certain business. Like my example showed. So legalizing weed isn't going to change much. Businesses can still preclude you from working there for having it in your system.

And while not the same, the similarities between testing you for illegal substances and testing you for antibodies is eerily similar. Especially when in either case your livelihood can be affected. Choices right? Smoke weed, can't be a pilot for United. Don't take a certain vaccination, you can't be a pilot for United. At least for the time being, the policy may change in the future. I've never been asked my vaccination status in any flying job interview as of yet.

Interesting how this thread is about one’s ability to begin/ pursue a career in aviation with a criminal history yet you’re trying to shift the subject towards your views on vaccinations.

Turn off the television, radio, podcasts and whatever else you’re listening to. Then try knitting a quilt, deep clean the house or go outside and enjoy a hike, ride a bicycle…. It’ll be good for you.

Or if you’d rather stay inside, Harvard offers a variety of courses online for free. Maybe learn to code, study architecture, or Shakespeare:

Catalog of Courses

Browse the latest courses from Harvard University

online-learning.harvard.edu

 

[Wardogg]

Interesting how this thread is about one’s ability to begin/ pursue a career in aviation with a criminal history yet you’re trying to shift the subject towards your views on vaccinations.

Turn off the television, radio, podcasts and whatever else you’re listening to. Then try knitting a quilt, deep clean the house or go outside and enjoy a hike, ride a bicycle…. It’ll be good for you.

Or if you’d rather stay inside, Harvard offers a variety of courses online for free. Maybe learn to code, study architecture, or Shakespeare:

Catalog of Courses

Browse the latest courses from Harvard University

online-learning.harvard.edu

What wonderful ideas! Thank you so much! I cannot begin to tell you how this post is now changing my life! "Well that's it boys, I been redeemed! The CFI A&P has warshed away all my sins and transgressions. It's the straight-and-narrow from here on out and heaven everlasting's my reward!"

You act like threads around here never get hijacked. Are you new? For the record I wasn't the first one to steer the thread into personal view territory.

 

[CFI A&P]

What wonderful ideas! Thank you so much! I cannot begin to tell you how this post is now changing my life! "Well that's it boys, I been redeemed! The CFI A&P has warshed away all my sins and transgressions. It's the straight-and-narrow from here on out and heaven everlasting's my reward!"

You act like threads around here never get hijacked. Are you new? For the record I wasn't the first one to steer the thread into personal view territory.

I’m glad I could help out.

Yes, threads do drift, and sometimes go full 7500. For example, since I’m not too familiar with the background requirements of being a dispatcher, I was going to suggest any number of positions in aviation, as it may keep the OP in the business, even if it isn’t their first choice. Aside from flight crews being in the trenches and dispatch back at ops, there’s a wide range of sub-industry that supports the industry. GSE equipment and sales, the charter world is full of people with questionable backgrounds, aircraft sales, and ironically compliance services are all fields the OP could consider.

 

[Wanobi]

I just want to make an update to this thread for anyone seeking information about this topic....

I made this post/account as a throw away and want to tell you about my experiences.

When I made this post I was trying to get hired at a regional 121. First "REAL" dispatch job.

I applied to this same company years before while I was still on probation. HR told me I would not pass the background check with a pending charge when I was getting my fingerprints. I withdrew my application which actually might have looked worse than failing a background check. I'm not sure though. After I was hired I learned that when I withdrew my application before, I should have just explained what happened to the SOC manager and he would have hired me into a new class as soon as I was off probation. I definitely messed up there. They blacklisted me because I withdrew my application after they offered me the job, and I basically ghosted them (due to embarrassment mostly.)

I did admit on the application all of my arrests, I would have rather admitted to something when I didn't have to than read the question wrong or not disclose something that I should have.

I was hired by a 121 regional airline and then shortly after a major carrier. Passed the background checks and all that good stuff....
Seems that as long as you haven't been convicted you still have a shot at being hired, even if it on the 28 crime list.

Jury is still out on if you have been convicted but enough time has passed (usually 7-10 years depending on the background check).

I am so fortunate that, I was able to get deferred adjudication and was able to clean up my act. It was by means -NOT- easy and I was rejected by so many carriers and jobs because of it. Denied a SIDA badge - placed on the "do not escort" list and had an overall tough journey...
I am about 7 years behind where I am supposed to be. There IS HOPE if you work hard and stay clean after an arrest.

If anyone has any questions or needs any advice please reach out, I would be willing to help however I can.

 

[Boots2Wings]

I just want to make an update to this thread for anyone seeking information about this topic....

I made this post/account as a throw away and want to tell you about my experiences.

When I made this post I was trying to get hired at a regional 121. First "REAL" dispatch job.

I applied to this same company years before while I was still on probation. HR told me I would not pass the background check with a pending charge when I was getting my fingerprints. I withdrew my application which actually might have looked worse than failing a background check. I'm not sure though. After I was hired I learned that when I withdrew my application before, I should have just explained what happened to the SOC manager and he would have hired me into a new class as soon as I was off probation. I definitely messed up there. They blacklisted me because I withdrew my application after they offered me the job, and I basically ghosted them (due to embarrassment mostly.)

I did admit on the application all of my arrests, I would have rather admitted to something when I didn't have to than read the question wrong or not disclose something that I should have.

I was hired by a 121 regional airline and then shortly after a major carrier. Passed the background checks and all that good stuff....
Seems that as long as you haven't been convicted you still have a shot at being hired, even if it on the 28 crime list.

Jury is still out on if you have been convicted but enough time has passed (usually 7-10 years depending on the background check).

I am so fortunate that, I was able to get deferred adjudication and was able to clean up my act. It was by means -NOT- easy and I was rejected by so many carriers and jobs because of it. Denied a SIDA badge - placed on the "do not escort" list and had an overall tough journey...
I am about 7 years behind where I am supposed to be. There IS HOPE if you work hard and stay clean after an arrest.

If anyone has any questions or needs any advice please reach out, I would be willing to help however I can.

Glad to hear you made it work brother! Only way to truly fail is to quit. good luck, stay safe.

 

[DeltaJulietTango]

Glad to hear you made it work brother! Only way to truly fail is to quit. good luck, stay safe.

I just want to drop in and confirm that this is actually a 3 part question. So here is the most complete answer to the original question.

The short answers:
Can you be hired with a felony conviction?
Yes.
Can you be added to CASS?
Yes.
——————————————
Why this is a 3 part question:

The First Question is:
Have you been convicted of either a permanently or interim disqualifying offense?

There are permanently disqualifying offenses for the TSA/DHS. They are found HERE on the TSA Website. Want to know if you qualify before applying? Get TSA Precheck and/Or a TWIC card. If you can’t get one of the two, you won’t qualify for CASS.

The second question is:
Do you meet the CHRC requirements of 49 CFR §1544.229 ? Pay special attention to Paragraph (d). This is a list of offenses that you cannot have a conviction for in the past 10 years…nor can you have been incarcerated for any of them in the past 7.

—This is often where the process can stop for a person without any communication from an airline. There aren’t a lot of HR people or Security people who are actually trained to read the FBI CHRC (RAP Sheet) and they will often assume, without reason, that any conviction is disqualifying. You have to figure out a way to advocate for yourself respectfully. It’s a hard needle to thread…especially if you need to submit documents to correct your CHRC pursuant to 49 CFR §1544.229 (i).

The 3rd question is:
Does the airline have a policy in place which states a Felony Conviction is a legitimate business concern and the airline won’t be hiring anyone with a felony?

Airlines that definitely have this policy include F9 and MQ. You’ll probably have a basis for an EEOC complaint, but…you won’t get hired there without an order from the EEOC.

—————

Airlines that have a strictly “10 year background check” would include YV, PT, AS, and QX….meaning if you can answer Questions 1 and 2 without issue, then you should have no issues getting hired.

 

[form810]

I just want to make an update to this thread for anyone seeking information about this topic....

I made this post/account as a throw away and want to tell you about my experiences.

When I made this post I was trying to get hired at a regional 121. First "REAL" dispatch job.

I applied to this same company years before while I was still on probation. HR told me I would not pass the background check with a pending charge when I was getting my fingerprints. I withdrew my application which actually might have looked worse than failing a background check. I'm not sure though. After I was hired I learned that when I withdrew my application before, I should have just explained what happened to the SOC manager and he would have hired me into a new class as soon as I was off probation. I definitely messed up there. They blacklisted me because I withdrew my application after they offered me the job, and I basically ghosted them (due to embarrassment mostly.)

I did admit on the application all of my arrests, I would have rather admitted to something when I didn't have to than read the question wrong or not disclose something that I should have.

I was hired by a 121 regional airline and then shortly after a major carrier. Passed the background checks and all that good stuff....
Seems that as long as you haven't been convicted you still have a shot at being hired, even if it on the 28 crime list.

Jury is still out on if you have been convicted but enough time has passed (usually 7-10 years depending on the background check).

I am so fortunate that, I was able to get deferred adjudication and was able to clean up my act. It was by means -NOT- easy and I was rejected by so many carriers and jobs because of it. Denied a SIDA badge - placed on the "do not escort" list and had an overall tough journey...
I am about 7 years behind where I am supposed to be. There IS HOPE if you work hard and stay clean after an arrest.

If anyone has any questions or needs any advice please reach out, I would be willing to help however I can.

I don't mean to be Blunt. But, Hey, Scrow! It's the first quarter of the NEW MILLENNIA! 'Saul Good Man! Go, Humanity!!!!

(Some of you maybe noticed we got a little demographic/employment problem...
Nah! Nawh! No!)





View: https://youtu.be/MbBfHI5XLFM?si=3566vVnJWie1TaE-&t=112

 

[Bananabusdx]

Rather than beat the dead horse here, I will give you credit for you bluntness (no pun intended I assure you) for being relatively upfront about all that. But to echo what has been said, the 2017 conviction will likely be a fairly big hurdle.
Not only do you have that federal list you identified, and conveniently can articulate why you dont fall into one of those listed within the previous 10 years, but you will have, in all likelihood, an expanded list for any company hiring process you go through.

As dustoff alluded to, the fact that theres a demonstrable pattern for the majority of the last 15 years, makes you (and since you were rather frank, i will be aswell) extremely risky, and therefor undesirable for a safety sensitive function. Get 5-10 years, completely scot free, and that stigma will disappear….to an extent.

I agree with you on the fact drugs are treated more severely than duis, and whether or not it is fair, I can promise you there isnt a single aviator here who has 2 misdemeanor duis and a felony dui related conviction across the same time frame that is still allowed to touch an airplane, let alone in 121 or 135 ops.

As far as it goes, the federal government (and those who work directly under its laws) will be very archaic, and the fear mongering/misconception of drugs will likely permeate well into the future.

Best of luck. Keep you head up, and be ready to routinely answer the difficult, uncomfortable questions. But if you want it, don’t quit….except the drugs….quit those for good (or until the legislation catches up)

Dispatchers unfortunately aren’t in KCM. But if you or anyone you know would like to lobby your congresspeople to change that, I’m sure plenty of people would be thankful. But then they would have to define the word “uniform” and I don’t think there will ever be a feasible way to define that word in a way that TSA would understand.

 

[///AMG]

Dispatchers unfortunately aren’t in KCM. But if you or anyone you know would like to lobby your congresspeople to change that, I’m sure plenty of people would be thankful. But then they would have to define the word “uniform” and I don’t think there will ever be a feasible way to define that word in a way that TSA would understand.

I almost never go through KCM wearing any item of “uniform” (I dont do the wearing pants and shirt but cover up with fleece/rastafari coat). Jeans and a flannel, or t shirt, sometimes flip flops depending on the season. I get dressed in the common room, so the FAs get to see the before and after. They love this,