FFDO criticism
 

Not sure about the date on the linked article - but it's well worth the read.

http://www.gunsandammomag.com/second_amendment/0409/

Nice try Ossama.

The article is full of factual errors that undermine it's arguments. I can say with some authority that you should take it's message with a grain of salt.

Brillaint dialog :rolleyes:

I won't ask what authority that is, although I find it interesting that the TSA has changed it's policy to allow small, sharp pointy objects on airliners. The same implements used to murder 8 pilots just over 4 years ago on 9/11. Monday, the former 9//1 commission will release a progress report and the Charmain has this to say about aviation security: "...It's not a priority for the government right now,..."

True, there are now additional layers of security, but there is also strong evidence of bureaucratic bungling (to be polite) at it's finest within our government. Put that ineptitude against the backdrop of an Administration that doesn't support real security IMO (only the illusion of security), and I don't get a warm fuzzy when I go to work.

Isn't it strange how "passenger rights" lobbyist have pushed the "trusted passenger" program that will allow frequent flyer's the convenience of bypassing long security checkpoint line based on past travel habits and a brief background check. Contrast that to average pilot who has had exhaustive background checks, years of work history, and it seems like everything but a TSA mandated rectal exam...and you can't even take a Leatherman tool to work! IF a pilot were a threat, wouldn't a few hundred tons of high speed aluminum be more of a threat? (it's a rhetorical question, don't answer that). My point is current TSA policy defies logic.

I think the FFDO program has enormous deterrent and protective potential, although I don't support the FFDO program in it's current form. The policies are simply to regressive IMO to provide any real benefit to the national aviation infrastructure.

Finally, I didn't start this thread to discuss specifics, as the butt you save by not talking about them could be mine. Although I refuse to ignore the bureaucratic bungling of a program that has enormous potential to actually provide in flight security. Until EVERY flight has an armed cockpit, I'd say the program is a failure.

<puts flame proof suit on> OK, let's hear it.

good article. thanks for the link.

i agree, we need to get tsa out of the ffdo business.

bolt

We need to get TSA out of the Aviation business.

Do you know what TSA stands for?



Thousands
Standing
Around

I thought it was Thoroughly Stupid Agency.

I flew out of Baltimore BWI in May 2002, just after the TSA started- it may have been the first day. At the airport I saw all the same security staff in their new TSA uniforms- it made me proud! Not. At least the shirts were clean, but that's probably because they were new.

In any case, my security process went as such. I offloaded all my metal belongings, keys, change, Altoids box in my rolling computer attache and put it onto the conveyer. As I walked through the people scanner I beeped. OK. I was told I needed to be hand searched-"Fine, no problem", I said. As I moved ahead, nobody was watching me- there was no "handoff" to another security person. I thought about going but that would be wrong and I was also afraid I might become known as the "guy who closed BWI on 5/23" . So I said, "Excuse me, I need to be hand searched." Which I was-thoroughly- no problems with that. But in the midst of this I was asked if my bag had been screened- I said yes. But since I was not secure prior to collecting my bag it had to go back through. I don't have a problem with that per se- but now I've lost "control" of my own bag, I can see it for a minute or two- remember the two security questions? I finally picked up the bag and walked up to the supervisor and told him the story.

Let me close by saying there were plenty of people milling about; being shorthanded was not an issue.

I was completely unimpressed.

Welcome to our world! Good to see you posting again.

S.2268/h.r. 4126
 

Write to your State's Senator.
Get the word out- S.2268 has been stuck in some subcomitee hearing since May. What are our leaders waiting for? If we had another 9/11 today a FFDO riding with his lockbox in the cabin is PROHIBITED to open the box and take care of business...

05/19/05 - Due to strong support, the DeFazio/Mica Amendment was unanimously accepted yesterday on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. This bipartisan legislation calling for needed improvements to the Federal Flight Deck Officer Program is included as an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2006 Department of Homeland Security Authorization Bill. Later in the day, the entire authorization bill was voted on by the House of Representatives and passed by a vote of 424-4. CAPA is now working with members of the U.S. Senate to offer similar language.