Pilot Taken Off American Flight At Omaha

[dispatchguy]

I adhere to the same rule, dont make eye contact, dont speak unless spoken to, and generally just try and ignore them.

If they speak to me, there are a few screeners at T2 at ORD that I might acknowledge, but the rest I just ignore. If I have to speak, I do it in a monotone voice - to display absolutely no emotion.

If getting wanded, same deal - I just tell him to stop his "I have to do it this way spiel" and do his deal so I can go on.

Yeah, I may come across as arrogant to them, but I no longer care.

 

[Boeingman]

I wonder when the unions will finally grow some balls and put a stop to this bull$hit? It is nothing more than harrassment.

Duane, for your $475k a year how about addressing and take some action (strong) on issues that have your membership enraged? The longer the ALPA (and other unions) sits idle on this security crap the more out of touch I feel they are with the average line pilot.

How long would this flight crew dog and pony show go on if there was a S.O.S?

 

[hagen]

Pilot Kicked Off Omaha Plane Will Not Face Federal Charges
'I Have An Ax,' Pilot Allegedly Says
Posted: 12:37 p.m. EST March 5, 2003
Updated: 5:40 p.m. EST March 5, 2003

OMAHA -- The American Airlines pilot arrested and detained at Omaha's Eppley Airfield on Wednesday will not face federal charges, the FBI told an Omaha television station.

Police boarded the pilot's plane to take him into custody after a security officer reported the pilot saying, "I have an ax in the cockpit and could chop your head off," said city prosecutor Marty Conboy.

Conboy said he was not aware of the pilot displaying an actual weapon.

The pilot was arrested and taken into custody around 8 a.m. He was scheduled to fly passengers from Omaha to St. Louis aboard an 8:15 a.m. American Airlines flight.

The flight took off with another pilot who had been on layover after a 90-minute delay; 112 passengers were on board.

One of the passengers, Scott Terry, said airline officials made an announcement that the flight would possibly be canceled.

At the end of their shift, airport security personnel met about the incident. The threat, Omaha's KETV-TV reports, was directed at a particular security officer.

"There was never any suggestion the public, passengers or planes were in any danger or threatened," Conboy said.

Conboy said he was still looking into the tone and context of the comment to decide whether he will press charges against the pilot.

"You'd think a pilot would certainly realize the people working at those security points are on their side -- watching their back," Conboy said.

Conboy said he would decide within the next 30 days whether the pilot will face charges.

If convicted of disorderly conduct, the pilot could face six months in jail and a $500 fine.

After questioning, the pilot was released.

 

[Pilot877]

Here's a little trick I use. I do not talk to ANY TSA personnel. If they say "hello", I smile. If they say "how are you", I smile and nod my head. We get along great. In my opinion, it has come to this. I do admit, I do not wish it had to be this way, because I do enjoy chatting with people and I'm sure there are some good people in the TSA. However I DESPISE the way the TSA proper, treats the flight crews and I will be **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED**ed if I am going to hand over my ticket to them if a punk with a GED and a ruffle in his shorts determines that I am a "security risk" Try it.

Right-on! I never say a word to them at all, although you are much nicer than I am if you actually smile at them!


"You'd think a pilot would certainly realize the people working at those security points are on their side -- watching their back," Conboy said.

Ummmm......yeah guys, you are so ungrateful......dont you know that Gramps and his gang of high-school punks got yo' back?

 

[seagle]

Was the TSA formed to stop the Bin Ladens of the world from committing horrific terrorist acts or professional flight crews from performing their assigned duties? I am comforted in knowing the TSA is doing a fine job in apprehending pilots. Wonder how many terrorists they have bagged lately? Someone should start keeping score. Pilots 6/Terrorists 0. It's only going to get worse as these folks continue their empire buliding.

 

[jdru25]

These security screeners are just mad that they are not as cool as the pilots.............I think most of them have a case of little man syndrome.

 

[dispatchguy]

"You'd think a pilot would certainly realize the people working at those security points are on their side -- watching their back," Conboy said.

This Conboy person must be a blithering idiot. Every time I get the TSA finger up my arse when I pass security, yeah, he's on my side, right.

 

[md8pilot]

The word here is that the nearby cop went to the aircraft and confiscated the axe...which is a no-go item. What an idiot!

 

[WrightAvia]

Little man syndrome?

I'd have to say that AAL pilot had to be having a problem with his ego. He's the one charged with a crime, not the TSA dude. All the pilot had to do was keep his mouth shut, get screened, go in the terminal, find his plane, get in it, push buttons and levers, get paid for the day. Sounds so simple.

All he had to do was go through screening and go to work. That pilot had a responsibility to his employer and the fare paying passengers on that flight, to show up and fly that plane...ON TIME. He also had a responsibility to his family to not risk the welfare of that family, by getting arrested and possibly fired.

This brings up an interesting point...there was an entire plane load of passengers that paid that airline to go somewhere, make connections, etc... now they are late, angry at American and not likely to forget the reason was not weather, not a mechanical, but a pilot threatening physical violence to a federal agent. This issue isn't about what that pilot doesn't like about modern airport security in the post 9/11 era...it's about a pilot, that allegedly told a federal security offical, he could chop his/her head off with an axe. That was irresponsible to make such a statement. There are better ways to protest things like the screening process. I don't like getting delayed by a State Trooper, when he pulls me over to tell me about my burned out head light...should I tell him that in my trunk I got a 7.62 MM FN-FAL and with one complete magazine, I could chop his head off? It's legal for there to be such a rifle in my trunk, unloaded and in a case...just like it is legal for that axe to be in the cockpit.

It's a new era for flying...write a letter to your congressman or your union, if you don't like what you see at screening counters. Don't make a stand with the local village idiots that got hired as TSA, while waiting in line with a bunch of people when you should be at work getting your plane ready for flight so you can SERVE YOUR CUSTOMERS!

 

[DIRT]

I absolutely cannot believe how stupid these TSA guys are.... I truly feel sorry for you guys having to deal with them on a daily basis, I get frustrated about the TSA and I only deal with those ignorant morons about twice a month. When is someone with some common sense going to realize these measures the TSA are taking are knee jerk reactions that are absolutely ineffective with dealing with the real threat.......

For the love of God you guys are flying the airplane and you can't go through security with a pocket knife.....

 

[WrightAvia]

md8pilot?

The word here is that the nearby cop went to the aircraft and confiscated the axe...which is a no-go item. What an idiot!

The word here? Nearby cop? as opposed to the far away cop? Confiscated the axe? What an idiot?

Do you give lectures at the university for courses pertaining to rules of evidence for criminal prosecution or technical report writing for law enforcement officers? After an alleged crime has been commited, law enforcement HAS to gather evidence. It's like their freaking job! If gathering up that axe is part of that action...how is the LEO an idiot? He's not paid to know what is a required item in a plane, nor is he responsible to American's customers to guarantee on time departures. He's paid to gather evidence, observe, report, enforce laws, keep peace, effect the arrests of alleged law violators.

Spread some more rumors, why don't you. Better yet, why don't you do something stupid like treaten bodily harm to a federal agent so we can read about you in the papers and make up stories.

 

[WrightAvia]

for the love of god DIRT!

Here is a hypothetical for you there dirt. Lets just say that you are an airline pilot, one of thousands in the terminal. And lets just say that you don't have to get your bags screened. So you are early for flying your plane and you stop and get one of those 10 dollar hot dogs prior to boarding your plane. While sitting with your prized meal, you get up to get a condiment. It's then, that your bag gets stolen.

Keep in mind that you are inside the security screened area of the terminal and you had a big 12 inch rambo type knife in your bag. One that you picked up from a custom knife maker while on layover. This knife somehow gets on board a plane, maybe that day, maybe on another day and is used in some form of hijacking or terrorist attack...which results in the deaths of hundreds if not thousands of people. Do we just sue you? Do we sue you and the federal government? Or do we sue you, your airline, the feds and the knife maker?

 

[chawbein]

Yeah, I 'm not so sure about this....

While it sucks that you can't bring a leatherman onto a plane and have to get searched (probably multiple times) everyday that you work. This pilot is a retard. That was a STUPID thing to do.

If it sucks, write a letter, talk to your union, don't be a dipsh!t like our most recent TSA lottery winner.

 

[sabreliner]

I just can't wait until someone finally files a lawsuit over the violations of the bill of rights, and it gets to the Supreme Court. I'll be tickled pink as the TSA comes tumbling down... It's too bad that they've over stepped their bounds so much, seeing as we are supossed to be on the same team and all.

P.S. - To all of you complaining about not having your Leatherman and being unable to tighten a screw or something, remember this: Tightening a screw is considered working on the airplane. IF you get caught, the FAA could violate you. To that end, if you have a loose screw (other than in your head) call MX, and take the delay while they come out and tighten it.

 

[terryhfly]

To WrightAvia:

It looks to me like you fly cargo. Is that correct? If so you don't really know what we are talking about. Airline pilots have to deal with these wonderful, friendly and most of all helpful people every day. Most of the time they just do their job and you are on your way. But, sometimes you get the ahole who wants to show all the passengers that he (TSA) has the power to make you (pilot) look like a criminal. I personally hate them all but that’s just my opinion. If I got you all wrong I am sorry.

Terry
CL-65 Capt