detpilot

I do.

And I agree to an extent with what you're saying. It's certainly not reasonable to demand that every licensed commercial pilot be allowed to bypass security. Your post, however, made it sound like pilots at 135 companies just need to "unionize and make your company pay the small CASS fee." As you apparently know, it's not always so simple.

dojetdriver

Just a couple of clarification points;

Rest assured, without unions (ALPA, IPA, and the APA), it more than likely would not have happened. So they may have "nothing to do with it" as it currently runs, without them we wouldn't have had it. UPS (IPA), AS (ALPA), and AA (APA) were the frontrunners on on it.

That, along with a photo, passport number, employee number, airline code, etc.

Is it a fail safe system? Nothing really is, but there's a pretty healthy amount of built in layers. On a side note, is sure is hell with CASS, or just one company's server goes down.

goaround2000

Bingo!

The issue is identification. TSA will argue that because any "airline issued" ID can be replicated without much effort, that crew pass using a government issued ID such as a passport and the government data base CASS, will clearly show sufficient margin of safety in proving that you are who you claim to be.

golfandfly

Mini.

First of all, this debate is beyond dumb. I would venture to say that most 121 pilots are being screened a little more heavily than the majority of part 135 pilots. It sounds like you worked for a 121 freight company. You know that the background checks are pretty thorough. Some part 135 companies have the resources to do the same. Yours may, others may not. Right now we don't have crewpass and may never get it. If we do get it, it will be because ALPA pushed for it. I am not here to promote ALPA by any means, but Cass and Crewpass take money, and most airlines could care less if we can jumpseat or get more lenient security checks.

I do agree that we are giving some of our liberties with the junk scanner. I don't have a real problem from it on a personal basis, if some loser wants to look at naked dudes in some other room, so be it. However, I do have a problem with it philosophically. Of course I want safety in the airlines, however, where does it end? We can't take a 3.5 ounce tube of toothpaste with us anymore or certain nail clippers. We take off our shoes because one idiot tried to ignite his shoes. Is it the end of the world? Of course not, but while we give up our rights in some areas (full body scanners), we won't profile the people that are committing these crimes. Let's just take all of our rights away so we don't offend certain people.

The bottom line is that the TSA is a joke. They hired many of the same idiots that were working at the contractor and doubled their pay and gave them better benefits. And as someone else mentioned, if an airport doesn't have the new scanners, are all of these passengers getting patted down? Were we having major problems with the old system? Is this going to eliminate terrorist attacks? Is their checked bags getting the same emphasis?

blastoff

Throw in thumbprint/iris scan or some other form of biometrics and the system is more secure than any screening TSA could ever dream up.

N9373M

Or go thru security every 15-30 minutes requesting a pat down.

goaround2000

Funny enough, my gym now has biometrics (right/left index scan) for self check in....a frigging gym!

C'mon now, if 24hour fitness can do it, I'm sure the feds can manage it.

dojetdriver

Stop using logic and common sense whenever the TSA is being mentioned. It has not place what so ever.

You ever seen some of the girls Canada has working at their security checkpoints? If it was the same at the TSA, I'd GLADLY subject myself to it at that frequency.

johnso29

Unions absolutely have a lot to do with CASS. Where do you think $$ used for lobbying for CASS came from? Everything revolves around $$. CASS wasn't just a gift. Union members pay dues which are used for lobbying, lobbying for things like CASS, CREWPASS, etc.

THAT's why non-CASS crewmembers should be subject to extra scrutiny. If I want to get through customs faster, I can pay to be in a database that lets me deal with a kiosk rather then a CPB Agent. It all revolves around $$$.

TheBaron

Like I pointed out...people that don't know the procedure yet feel their comments should be entertained should be ignored. The monitor that displays the image is in a separate and isolated room. The agent that views the image can not see the person that the image belongs to. When he is satisfied that there are no issues, he radios (wireless link) the TSA agent at the exit of the machine to allow the subject to pass. Then the next person enters and is screened. Quick and anonymous.