But what if he wants a gun NOW?

 

You could tell him....but then you'd have to kill him?

 

So I never believed in this program and although I read and hear that the training is superb, I still don't agree with it. We have a guy at my company that is now an FFDO in IAH, that just re-inforced my theory. Basically no amount of training can compensate if you are stupid. And stupid people should not have a gun anywhere near them. This guy is the prime example. I apologize for the venting, but please only do this if you have common sense/intelligence and understand the responsibility and seriousness of the responsibility you'll be undertaking. This guys is only an FO and hopefully will never make Captain or stay.

 

After having to pull open my pants and expose my boxers for three trips in a row to PBI I gave up and decided to join the program. I was wearing nothing metallic and the notion of pulling my pants open and showing my heart boxers got absurd. HK here I come!

 

DAL,

I'm sorry to laugh but that is hysterical.

And to add to the picture is a bunch of smurfs swarming over the "evil" pilot. Had a similar experience in DFW.

 

Please...

Thank you so much Phoenix 23684 for being the moral compass on the FFDO application process. I'm sure you have single handedly prevented hundreds of "stupid" pilots from applying for the program, I applaud you! [/sarcasm]

In in all seriousness the program is great. Unfortunately I'm sure there are some FFDO's that are more responsible than others, but if you can make it through the training you deserve the responsibilities that are intrusted upon you. On the same token, if you happen to lose those privilages by being stupid, you deserve that as well. Phoenx 23684 if this FFDO you speak of really is as reckless as you make it sound, you should report what concerns you to TSA.

I would like to add this; I don't suggest applying to become an FFDO if you only want to avoid dealing with TSA. Becoming an FFDO is a very big responsibility and with the privililages come burdens. A simple mistake as an FFDO can quickly become extremely serious and could cost you your job, or even worse, human lives.

Think it through seriously before you apply, it's a big decision.

 

Absolutely smooth transition. They really don't know that you left your original company. You go to the "Dashboard" application and change your employer and give them a call. They will call your CP to confirm change in employment. It is a very smooth process. You don't have to give up anything.

 

This is one of the most commonly asked questions. Rightly so, some of us had to work that Sunday.

DEPARTURE:
I used ABQ*, this is what I know.

We were told 1000 was earliest Saturday departure from campus - after graduation, buses loaded (our group was 1045).

ROW - In July, no flights out after ~1000. This may have changed.

ELP - Some had flights, others were overnighting to take flight in the morning (one of the overnight's was a guy going to RSW aka. Ft Meyers).

*ABQ - We arrived 1430. I had listed in advance on AA to DFW. This was good because 2 others did not list and did not make the flight (full). Again, in July it was the last flight out of ABQ on AA to DFW (ETD ~1600). There were other flights available. Others planned to overnight to take flights out in the morning.

ADVICE:
Do some physical conditioning before going. The better in shape you are, the better off you will be. If you have any questions on this, check out

Federal Bureau of Investigation

...It is not required that you meet these standards, yet it will help. (Don't stress, some of the guys were overweight/not in shape, and they still graduated.)

Bring a DVD movie - our bus had a DVD player. The bus driver could not bring movies, but passengers were allowed to give a movie to the driver so that everyone could watch. 4 hour drive...

Hope this helps!!

 

But it's OK for COPS to have guns???

Plenty of sharp cops out there, but the lowest common intellectual denominator in law enforcement is quite a bit lower than 121 aviation...

The purpose of FFDO is not that anyone expects pilots to have to shoot terrorists...it is to insert an additional roadblock in the planning process for terror masterminds. They REALLY don't like to fail...put enough uncertaintity in their way and they won't even try.

 

Move to TX or FL.