Ffdo
 

Just curious to hear from guys that recently went through the program. How long did it take from the Psych test/interview until Artisia?

Sorry...this shouldn't be discussed on a public forum. Most of the stuff is very security sensitive.

Depends on how long it takes to get everything else done. I would say 3-4 months. Good luck and have fun, it's an amazing program!

How is asking a question about an application timeline "very security sensitive?"

Because what you can't find on the TSA web site shouldn't be talked about on a forum where anyone can read. I'm not trying to be a jerk... I'm just saying it probably isn't appropriate.

The best info I have received on the program is from the Capts. I have flown with who have done the program. They are very good at shedding light on the subject.

Listen Flyer, its no different than asking in a public forum how to become an FBI agent. We all know there are aspects of our profession that should not be discussed publically, but how to become a federal officer is not one. Frankly the more people know that there are federal officers flying our planes the better.

What does it matter? If you want to participate then apply. The timeline should have no bearing on your decision.

Maybe you should lay off the poor guy.. I mean, damn... I seriously doubt any of the FFDO's on this board are going to start giving out sensitive information. Let the guy ask.. Maybe he's CURIOUS as to how long he'll have to wait... (For me, it was about 4 months total...)

where and what are the prerequisites to apply for ffdo priveleges?

You start here:

TSA: Federal Flight Deck Officers

Security
 

I think it's OK to talk about the application process, as long as no screening, training, or operational details are discussed...if that happens the thread will have to go away.

Thanks!

It took me about 5 months to complete the entire thing. Best training I've ever gone through. You'll have a blast, trust me. And the food is good too! :D

4.5 months in the police academy and I lost weight (didn't have any to lose back then and I lost some).

1 week in FFDO training and I gained weight. Good food; all you can eat.

Training is good too.

I went through about 3 yrs ago and it took about 4 months from initial application until I was eligible to go to Artesia. Great training, food, people and bar.

Just do it.

There are no strings attached. Some people go through the program and decide it is not really for them. This is OK too.

If you currently have any bad habits when shooting, they will be discovered and fixed. It was a really really good time.

...and you get to avoid the Smurf police... except on those pesky international flights ;)

Start to finish was 6 months (some/most in my class stated around 12 months). As soon as they ask you for something, you do it - this will help expedite. Very detailed, so cross your 't's and dot your 'i's. It's much more than being armed. It's about being apart of a great group - a fraternal group - to be a deputized federal officer is a great thing. Furloughed or 'to be' (notified) furloughed status will hamper/stop your application process. The program is highly recommended and as ImEbee stated, the more FFDO's the merrier. Keep plugging away at it and Good luck!!!

Just wondering, when you switch airlines with very little or no break in employment, do you have to give up the credentials and requalify, or is it easier than that?

I leave for Artesia this coming Sunday. I started my application back in March and the background check was done at the end of August. I'm really looking forward to going and I have never heard anything bad about the program. Whoever said it before is right though, once you get a status change, then do the next step, whatever it is as soon as possible. Nothing is too hard or time consuming. Can't wait for next week!

I head out in a few weeks. I started the application process back in February but did not get cleared until August. The hardest part for me was scheduling the written exam in ATL as most testing centers were booked for weeks. Once clear of that though, I was able to do the psych eval within a few weeks. It took nearly four months for the background check to go through. I was cleared back in August but had to find a week that would work and that's why its taken me an extra month to get finished.

Did anyone have any problems jumpseating out following the program on Saturday evening?

DAL I have taken many people out of ABQ that were coming from or going too. None had stated there was an issue, and all loved it.

I heard Delta is getting rid of the CVG-ABQ route. Is there any truth to that?

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. :D

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

Please... :rolleyes:

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. ;)

Don't forget AK... Guns are officially endorsed here by our hot governor.

As an ex-cop, I completly agree with you. There were some real idiots with badges and guns. :eek:

Phoenix, since I happen to be an FO for Colgan in IAH, I know exactly who you're talking about. I don't know who you are exactly, and frankly it's completely irrelevant. I have heard stories about what he has said and done, and unfortunately that's exactly what they are ... stories. If I ever catch him in the act of doing something like what I've heard, I would report him the first chance I had.

I plan on going through the process of becoming a FFDO myself hopefully within the next year. My Dad is a FFDO with SWA, and has told me it's a great experience that he would highly recommend to anyone if they were interested. From what I have heard it closely resembles going back to college for a week for gun shooting, lots of eating, and good times.

There are some real idiots out there with an ATP too!

You can say that again. I gained at least a few pounds during my stay. Good food. And you can get beer by the gallon (literally) at the Coyote Pub! Good times.

wooo Coyote Pub!! good times, great people!!

Haha, good times! I just finished my App last week, so hopefully the ball will get rolling and I'll be able to go to Artisia in the next 8-10 months!

Has anyone been to Artisia in the middle of winter?

1st week of Feb....mornings are chilly...50's...wear sweats to the range...come back for lunch and shed the sweats...around 75 and beautiful all day after about 9am. Not a bad time to go.

Well, cops can have guns because they go through at least 3-9 months of training, not one week. They also shoot thousands of rounds. I once jumpseated with a capt. that was an FFDO and he didn't even know what kind of rounds he was carrying in his gun??? Those of us who have worked in law enforcement know its just slightly important to know how many and what type of rounds your firearm has<sarcasm>

And from what I've seen working both jobs, there are slugs in both jobs and equally as dumb. In the end, what it comes down to is the ability to take a life up close and personal. I don't care if its a pilot or cop who has the gun, the question is whether or not the person has the balls to pull the trigger and watch someone go splat in front of them.