Source: unitedafa.org 

We have received reports from Flight Attendants who are confused about the crew verification procedures after reading United’s Inflight Service Weekly dated June 8, 2016. To clarify there are two distinct and separate procedures that must be accomplished prior to Flight Attendant boarding an aircraft. 

1. Crew Verification
   Crew verification is a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulation, which must be accomplished prior to crew, Flight Attendants and Pilots, boarding an aircraft.
   
   During the crew verification process, TSA and United’s policy require the Customer Service Representative (CSR) to visually verify that the photo on the crew badge matches the person who is presenting the badge, that the name on the badge matches the name on the FLTLOF and that the badge is not expired.
2. Flight Attendant FAA Minimum Crew Compliance
   The second procedure unique to both Flight Attendants and United, was created in 2013. The procedure was implemented to address the violation of FAA minimum crew regulation. The requirement of scanning of Flight Attendant badges immediately prior to boarding the aircraft ensures Flight Attendant Minimum Crew is onboard prior to passenger boarding by prohibiting the CS agent from commencement of passenger boarding using the gate reader until the correct number of Flight Attendant minimum crew badges have been scanned. FAA minimum crew compliance is essential in order to avoid inadvertent violations of FARs.  It is important to note that FAA minimum crew verification is not required for Pilots.

Please note: Flight Attendants who are on a through flight, the same aircraft with a turn time under 45 minutes are not required to be verified again as long as they do not leave the aircraft

Our AFA United MEC Safety, Health and Security Committee continues to work with United’s Corporate Security and Airport Operations, to ensure we are in compliance and work through the confusion that we continue to have with this process. We ask that you document any non-compliance of this verification process either through the ASRS Reporting System if you have safety concerns or through United’s IOR, always remembering to check the box in order for AFA to receive a copy or simply provide a copy to your Local Council. By submitting a report this data can be collected and evaluated to support compliance initiatives.