APA takes a stand: no xray, no public pat down

[WalterSobchak]

We can all agree that TSA is a joke. If anything will change security procedures it will be when the Airline managers start seeing late flights and lost revenue because of looonnnnnggg lines of pilots waiting to be hand screened by the idiots of TSA

Its not a strike but it can be very effective.

This is exactly what I've been telling every person I know (not just airline crew members/employees) regarding the AIT scanners. If everyone demands the pat-down instead of the scanner, the lines will back up. The longer the lines, the more likely people will complain...and the more likely we will see the scaling back of security theatre. Either that, or some politician's naughty bits, exposed by the scanner, need to be obtained and published for all to see. That might put a stop to them, once and for all.

I refused the scanner at DCA over the weekend and my wife followed suit. I'm not sure I've ever felt more patriotic whilst being violated by TSA screener than in that moment.

Sidenote: Penn & Teller sell these at their shows at the Rio. Maybe we should pick a few up. :beer:

 

[StaySeated]

A little thread drift but it is a related subject.

The line about "100 chest xrays per hour" shocked me.

I did a quick search and that number sounds inaccurate. I did learn that it will take me 27 years to establish a 1-100 chance of developing a fatal cancer. Considering that I am 13 years into the process really suks.

Another item I found was the huge impact of solar flares. Unfortunately, a "solar maximum" is supposed to begin during the summer of 2011 and it will last more than one year. The amount of radiation exposure during this period will be the equivalent of 10 to 20 YEARS of radiation, depending on the type of flying involved.

If I was flying long haul over the higher latitudes I would seriously bid a different schedule.

Bizjet studs up in the high 40's and even 510 are going to bear the brunt of the radiation.

We may need to update the retirement charts as a whole bunch of us are going to get nuked over the next couple of years. Good times.

 

[Capi_Cafre']

You don't get to be FAA Administrator some day if you take a stand on issues like this.

\babbited

 

[JoeMerchant]

Bravo APA! I wish ALPA would join you, but we all know that won't happen. I am going to follow the APA guidance and urge others to follow.

 

[densoo]

Send an email to the author asking him to recommend that people opt for the private pat-down. Perhaps if the general public starts refusing the xray it will accelerate the pressure to get CrewPass: [email protected]

. . . At BWI, I told the officer who directed me to the back-scatter that I preferred a pat-down. I did this in order to see how effective the manual search would be. When I made this request, a number of TSA officers, to my surprise, began laughing. I asked why. One of them -- the one who would eventually conduct my pat-down -- said that the rules were changing shortly, and that I would soon understand why the back-scatter was preferable to the manual search. I asked him if the new guidelines included a cavity search. "No way. You think Congress would allow that?" . . .

http://www.theatlantic.com/national...he-first-time-the-tsa-meets-resistance/65390/

 

[wms]

I agree the body scanners are too much, and an infringement when the screeners are drooling and posting sensitive photos on the web. However, the threat in the eyes of DHS is not dedicated pilots, but impostors using pilot credentials to gain access to SIDA. Just remember, in law enforcement everyone is a suspect until they're proven not to be a threat. It's for our benefit that there is scrutiny of credentials.

When a terrorist is finally successful, the same people crying about the screening procedures will be blaming lax security. The same spokesmen for the unions will be lambasting DHS for the lack of security of flight crews.

But I feel the answer is better screening of pax possessions, and better awareness by everyone of the actual threats. If we knew all that was going on out there none of us would fly.

 

[wms]

Oh, and I don't go through the scanners either.

 

[Dizel8]

CASS solved the problems of imposters pretty rapidly and effectively, crew pass works on the same principle.

I am glad APA took a stance, hopefully they will now be joined by SWAPA and ALPA!

 

[westward]

My solution.

Step 1. Designate a city - preferably one with a high pilot population.

Step 2. Pick a date, time and terminal.

Step 3. Have every pilot in the area go through security and request the pat down option. Be sure to leave the computer in the wheelaboard, stock up on plenty of pocket change and carry your phone.

Step 4. When finally clear of security, repeat Step 3.

Bring a terminal to a grinding halt a few times and I'll bet Crew Pass will happen sooner rather than later.

 

[N1atEcon]

I have already attached the letter and sent it to my union president. This is B.S. and we as professional pilots need to finally stand up agaist the degredation of our industry. Screening us is a complete waste of time and resources. I want to be treated like a tug driver with a GED.