Another Step Backwards with the TSA
 

Government bureaucracy at it's finest. I was informed this morning by a TSA supervisor that their latest operating reg states that unless you are a crewmember actually operating the flight you are flying on, your uniform will mean nothing. You will have the same liquids ban, shoe removal, body scan, etc. as any other passenger. He was candid enough with me to state that the new TSA boss is not our friend. We lost Known Crewmember status and now this. As the TSA prepares to loosen some restrictions on passengers they are quietly segregating us out of any crewmember privileges. TSA knows FedEx and UPS pilots aren't operating any pax flight so we will be subject to the new rules 100%.

He advised that we put pressure on our pilot organization to lobby for a fix to this for two reasons. The new TSA boss is not a team player and this new ruling doesn't pass the reasonable man theory.

Just passing along the good news! He also said the new ruling is taking a while to roll out and isn't enforced at all airports but it is supposed to be. Just a matter of time.

How will they know if a crew is commuting or actually flying the trip that day? I'd just lie.

well, for FedEx/UPS guys, being in the passenger terminal would be a big hint.

Not necessarily. These TSA folks aren't the sharpest tools. I had one in Atlanta that didn't know FedEx even had airplanes. She didn't have an answer as to how a package got from LA to NYC overnight in a truck.

The airplane I bought in 2004 looks like a better and better investment every day. More non-pilot jumpers. TSA BS, etc etc. Reminds me of 1990s Prince Sultan TDYs, where the "support" team goes out of the way to make it miserable for the operators. It is always cheaper to come to work on someone else's dime, but I must say driving or flying in on your own puts me in a much better mood.

I feel safer now.

Look into TSA Pre-check. It doesn't work if you are jumpseating, but is great if you're deadheading. It costs $100 and is part of the Global Entry program. United paid for mine because of my frequent flier status, but having used it regularly now, I'd pay the fee on my own without a second thought.

Does this apply to KCM as well, I.e. if you're not working the flight you must clear security?

Mach,

What airport?

Where's my representation?!!!

Ontario, CA ONT

ONT has always been a pain, at least with me. I was wearing a sweater over my uniform shirt, and was removing it in line. They said I needed to use the restroom to do that, or they would take action. I didn't argue as I was pressed for time.

This sucks!

Aaaah.....there's the integrity that allows us to be respected by management........:rolleyes:

I just went thru the TSA here in ANC and no one said anything to me.

Until you see something official I wouldn't worry too much about it. I've heard so much bs from TSA supervisors over the past 10+ years I don't pay too much attention to what they have to say.

Just saying. You 121 guys are dressed the same whether you are commuting, or actually flying the trip right? Sans the FedEx/ups guys.

I think the guy was pulling your chain. Just went through SFO and LAX. No issues. Sounds like a government db to me.

TSA has Ontario by the short hairs right now because the agency has never been onboard with the screening practices at the station. Security would like for everyone to lay facedown and spreadeagle!

What kind of airplane do you have Albie? PC-12? :D

Business has been good for Albie lately and looking even better in the future. He has a Falcon 900 now.

3 daughters. One in college. My auto insurance is enough to bury most people!

My plane is a 1962 Navion Rangemaster. Paid less than you'd pay for a nice corvette or import sports car. Its been a nice family truckster for several years, and I suspect my oldest will get her IFR rating in it ar some point. If anyone has ever considered a plane and wants to learn more about the Navion cult, send me a PM and I'll vector your towards the "Jim Jones's" of the group. No airplane is every "cheap", but these old classics offer a lot of bang for the buck, especially when compared to the competition.

Sorry for thread drift. Yeah...TSA sucks!

Yep. Just like the IRS and FAA. Me too, sorry for the drift.

Albie, I've always been told that if it flies, floats or fornicates:) It's cheaper to rent.

This is true, but I also have heard:

"I ****ed away most of my money on booze, women, and airplanes....the rest I just WASTED...."

I've been leaving by that mantra for several years now. Besides, I've already proven I'm not stock picking genius, nor a very effective real estate mogul, so what else am I going to spend it on?

I resolve to "opt out" and take the pat down every time, no worries about the uniform or not.

"opt out" is TSA lingo

How about: "Bring in another Junk Jingler...I'm not going through the microwave" ;)

TSA Pre✓™ allows select frequent flyers of participating airlines and members of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Traveler programs who are flying on participating airlines, to receive expedited screening benefits. Eligible participants use dedicated screening lanes for screening benefits which include leaving on shoes, light outerwear and belts, as well as leaving laptops and 3-1-1 compliant liquids in carry-on bags.

TSA Pre✓™ is an expedited screening initiative that is expanding to airports across the country. Implementing a key component of the agency’s intelligence-driven, risk-based approach to security, TSA Pre✓™ enhances aviation security by placing more focus on pre-screening individuals who volunteer to participate to expedite the travel experience.

TSA Pre✓™ allows officers to better focus their efforts on other passengers who are more likely to pose a risk to transportation. TSA continues to analyze the best approaches to security.

This reminds me of the pay fast lanes in major cities. They aren't available for car pooling.

If you flash the cash you get better government service.

I'd rather just put a $20 in the TSA worker's pocket every week. Will that work?

I recently went through DFW in uniform and happened to walk in the entrance where the KCM entry was at. I told them that we no longer were part of the program and asked if there was an employee line somewhere else. They said no so I went through the normal line. When I got to the TSA agent she said that I could go through the pre-check line, which was next to the KCM line. So I don't know if FedEx paid for it, or I got for being a platinum status with AA or what. I know I've never paid for it.

Oh please. The 'rules' are ignorant and so are the enforcers.

Consistency with TSA...About as probable as me hittin the Powerball.:rolleyes:

I love it when they lecture me about not taking my travel shaving cream out....Why should I? No else has bothered me the last billion times I went through...:mad:

Need a pilot?

My next company pilot is currently taking her flight lessons....

Lemme see if I get this right.....the rules and those who enforce them are stupid, therefore we lie to make it easier on ourselves? That'll fix the problem for sure....

I used to carry a dinner knife (butter knife) and a fork in my bags for those too-frequent lonely layover microwave meals. The utensils were "borrowed" from a first-class meal tray.

Inevitably, TSA - "You can't have that knife on the secure side!"

"Uhhh, that's the exact same knife delivered to the passengers in quantity when they eat their inflight meals."

"Doesn't matter. It's a knife. You can't have it. You might attempt to take control of the airplane." :rolleyes:

Check the list of airports that you need to go to for the interview before you send the $ for Global Entry. Lack of available slots makes it really hard to schedule a visit when you are passing through.

Gotta love that profoundly uneducated Tub Stacking Association line.

My reply of: "What about the crash axe that is REQUIRED to be on the airplane, in the cockpit, before we can depart?" was always entertaining. You could see the wheels turning (albiet slowly) with that one.

"If I don't take control of the airplane I'm not doing my job!" always threw them for a loop too.

:D

Glad I don't have to deal with them on a daily basis anymore.

If you need to get a box from New York to LA overnight, there's Norfolk & Way. :eek::D

The last time I went through Ontario,CA as a pax, I presented my TSA pre-check Global Entry ID card, and the person did not know what it was, nor did the supervisor!!!! I was , am still flabbergasted at that one.

I am a platinum elite on Delta, and never get challenged about anything at participating airports when traveling on Delta. Waltz right through. Well, I am not an elite member on United, and get the full finger wave each time I travel on United. I think you have to be an elite status member on each airline for the TSA pre-check to help. Makes no sense to me, we've been checked, and heavy checked, and "D" checked, and still treated like a common criminal.

I just used TSA Pre-Check while traveling on USAir and I'm not I their frequent flier program. You just have to get your PassID number that's on the back of your Global Entry card put in the Known Traveller box in your reservation before you travel. I just called USAir and they put it in for me. TSA Pre-Check was even on my return boarding pass without me doing anything.