E73: Security You Can't Ignore: KCM Realities, Layover Risks, and Staying Safe

On this episode of Engage, First Officer Ryan Argenta welcomes First Officer Bryan Patchen, Chair of the Delta MEC’s Aviation Security Committee and recent Aviation Security Award recipient, for a straight-talk briefing on the security issues pilots face every day. We cover what’s actually happening with KCM (and why the “random” feels constant), how to handle screening disagreements professionally (what to say, who to ask for, and what to document), and the practical risks on international layovers - from aggressive pat-downs to theft tactics targeting watches and phones.   Bryan shares actionable steps that keep crews out of trouble: keep flight gear only for flying, get names/badge numbers when reporting, know when to withdraw consent and elevate to a supervisor, and use safety tools like FACTAL and the State Department’s STEP enrollment form for proximity alerts and emergency news. We also touch on FFDO training status and secondary barriers progress. The goal isn’t fear - it’s awareness, professionalism, and smart habits so everyone gets home safe.