APSA Action Alert

[justApilot]

Airline Pilots' Security Alliance 8190 Beechmont Ave # 340,
Cincinnati, OH 45255-6117

ACTION ALERT

PASS THIS ALERT ALONG TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW!

Armed Pilot Program Screening Standards Unacceptable

The TSA (the same government bureaucracy that recently gave
itself the power to unceremoniously revoke a pilot's certificate)
will require from each Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO)
candidate:

1)A lengthy and probing application & resume.

2)A government administered psychological exam, testing AIRLINE
PILOTS for things like MENTAL ABILITIES, JUDGMENT, DISCIPLINE,
AND THE ABILITY TO FOLLOW PROCEDURES, POLICIES, REGULATIONS AND
LAWS. Airline pilots prove each day that they possess an
abundance of these traits. What would happen to a pilot that
failed to meet the TSA standard? Would the benevolent government
bureaucracy be merciful enough to let him continue to do the
job he has been doing quite well for many years?

3)A one-on-one "interview" with a TSA psychiatrist. The TSA will
be screening to make sure that AIRLINE PILOTS CAN "CONDUCT
THEMSELVES WITH MAXIMUM REGARD FOR THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF THE
TRAVELING PUBLIC, CREW AND FAMS..." No kidding.

4)A very probing, intrusive and exhaustive government sponsored
background investigation to include an "interview" with a
TSA "security expert." They will call a pilots neighbors,
friends, relatives, co-workers, previous employer and, in direct
violation of the law, THEY WILL ASK HIS OR HER CURRENT AIRLINE
EMPLOYER IF THEY THINK THE PILOT SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE
IN THE FFDO PROGRAM. Considering the airlines longstanding and
clear opposition to this program, we wonder what the answer might
be?

5)A medical evaluation. Apparently existing FAA exams required
every six months are inadequate for the TSA.

6)TSA agents will be skulking around FFDO training facilities
with pencils and notepads OBSERVING THE BEHAVIOR OF FFDO STUDENTS
DURING THEIR FIREARMS TRAINING and making sure they have the
proper "mindset." Stand by for a hostile training environment.

7)ANOTHER "psychological assessment" after training is
completed. Look forward to another TSA sponsored psychiatric
grilling.

TSA Proposed Firearms Carry Method is Unacceptable

The time proven method, the one that is the safest and most
secure way of transporting a firearm, is for the individual
responsible for the firearm to carry it on his person. The TSA
is not planning to allow this for FFDO's BECAUSE THEY WANT TO
MAKE THIS PROGRAM AS CUMBERSOME, UNMANAGEABLE, UNWIELDY AND AS
EXPENSIVE AS POSSIBLE in order to minimize the number of pilots
that volunteer and to doom the program to failure even before it
starts. GUNS IN UNATTENDED LOCK-BOXES OR IN UNSECURED CREW
LUGGAGE WILL PUT ALL PILOTS IN JEOPARDY AND MAKE OUR
TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM LESS SAFE, but these facts conflict with
the TSA's true agenda: To scuttle the FFDO program.

A TSA attorney-advisor, Mr. Stephen L. Cohen has made it clear
that the TSA intends to make the program so difficult,
intimidating and burdensome that no pilot will volunteer.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Help us to remind the TSA that they serve the traveling public
and are responsible to the Congress, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND!

RIGHT NOW, CALL 202/224-3121. ASK TO SPEAK TO YOUR CONGRESSIONAL
REPRESENTATIVE AND BOTH OF YOUR SENATORS.

TELL THEM THAT THE TSA IS IGNORING THE WILL OF CONGRESS AND IS
UNREASONABLY LIMITING THE NUMBER OF AIRLINE PILOTS THAT MAY BE
ARMED!

THEN CALL THE WHITE HOUSE AT 202/456-1111. TELL PRESIDENT BUSH
TO FIX THE PROBLEM AT THE TSA TODAY AND MAKE THEM IMPLEMENT AN
ARMED PILOT PROGRAM THAT COMPLIES WITH THE WILL OF CONGRESS.

 

[WrightAvia]

what did you expect them to do?

Make it easy.

I'm big time pro gun and pro concealed carry law. I don't carry concealed yet, as we don't have that law in our state, but I have at one time worked in law enforcement and was certified to be a police officer by the state. Also, my degree is in law enforcement. I also have a sizeable gun collection, which is about to include two full auto firearms.

I can tell you they may have made an attempt to present an air to the public that some pilots may or will be armed...but I don't think they want you guys to actually do it. We just had a university (state) police officer, have to draw down and shoot dead a suspect that was preparing to run the police officer down after a heated high speed chase that started on state property. The first thing out of the media's and the stupid people being interviewed's mouth was..."why do university cops have guns?" If the public can't understand why cops have guns...do you really think they are going to like seeing airline pilots carrying em?

I know and you know, the arguments to this issue, but you can bet that not only is the government sandbagging this issue on you guys...but I bet they are hoping to sweep the armed pilots issue under the rug.

 

[XGmaninGA]

Yes, I saw this coming. I spent too many years working for Uncle Sugar to believe that they would actually allow pilots to carry. They will sweep it under the rug...until the first time an F16 has to shoot down an airliner. I just hope it's not mine.