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Pilot Taken Off American Flight At Omaha

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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.
 
hagen said:
"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.
 
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!
 
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!
 
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.....
 
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.
 
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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?
 
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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.
 
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.
 
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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
 
Wrightavia

Frankly you and I could sit here and come up with thousands of scenarios where a "terrorist" could attack us in airports or airplanes and yes we could have a system in place that was absolutely fail safe, however at that point we would be living in a police state and getting through security would take 6 hours! To live in a "free" society at some point we are going to have to give up a certain amount of security in order to live "free" and you may be willing to give up that freedom but I am not and I don't think most people are willing to give up what few freedoms we have left. Besides our enemy is very clever and they are not going to let a security checkpoint or random car searches or a TSA / airport Nazis that could not slap his a$$ with both hands at the same time detour their plots. These are knee jerk reactions that only inconvenience the law abiding citizens.
 
Hey WrightAvia

Hey Wrightavia,

You haven't the foggiest idea what you are talking about or who I am. I've read the debrief submitted by both pilots and have sat in on a conference call "here" to discuss the issue with OMA officials. The OMA airport police were out of line.
 
Wrightavia

Also, while I obviously cannot divulge details, I will say that this pilot DID NOT say what the media has stated. There were a number of witnesses that have come forward. In addition, this paritcular screening station has had multiple complaints from passengers and crewmembers alike for mistreatment.

P.S. We are issuing a "favorable press release" this afternoon.
 
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Isn't there a rule that prohibits police from entering an airplane and arresting the pilot, something like interfering with a flight crew?
I have jumpseated a few times over the last year, and it's no fun to have to undress because the metal detector goes of once Shoes with a metal shank, a belt , wings, keys ,cellphone or pager. So your shoes, uniform jacket, cell phone, wallet (I believe even de magnetic strip on creditcards can set the detectors off) and about everything else not made out of cotton has to go through the X-ray. What I don't understand are the different policies regarding jumpseaters passing the checkpoints. They seem to be different at every airport.

edited for missing letter, didn't push hard enough;)
 
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Can't you guys just go in some sorta back way so that you don't have to go through security? I work at my airport doing something like security (not screening) and if I want to go into the departure gates area and want to by-pass the screening area, I just go through a door at the end of a hall way that leads into the departure gates, call up the security operations centre because there's a intercom right by the door, and they will let you in if you have the right identification (just have to show it to them through the camera and somebody on the other side of the door checks your pass). All you need is a pass. What kind of passes do you guys get down there? Here in Canada, we get red restricted area passes. All airport employees and aircrew get them. I'm talking about the tags you get with your picture on them that lets you into restricted areas. I think I may have even seen pilots go in through this way. I never see any pilots go through the screening area. Some even just go into the baggage areas and out on to the ramp and board their plane from there. I don't know how it is down there. Security up here is not as strict as the USA.
 
terryhfly

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.

I deal with the TSA on a daily basis at the airport where I am outbased. I say hi to them, talk to them, know them. When I get droped off at the airport terminal in the evening, I go right in the front entrance of the terminal...glance at all the whuffo's getting their luggage screened for the next Mesaba flight...make a left turn...walk through a door that says...pilots lounge (it's for the general aviation pilots)...check the weather at the weathermation... then walk right out onto the ramp 50 feet from the big red SAAB 340...wave to the pilots as I turn left towards the Mesaba hanger (for which I have a key/my employer leases the hanger for my aircraft during the day) and then proceed to preflight my plane and stow my bag. So you're right...I don't have to be SCREENED by the TSA, but I do deal with them on a daily basis. In fact most of the TSA at this airport knew me before they were federalized. Most of the ones I know are ok.

Yea...it sucks to be scrutinized, but making a stand in a line full of people, with a guy that probably reads at the 8th grade level...aint no way to make change for the better.

They canned a TSA agent over at this airport I'm talking about...and I think ( I really can't say for sure ) it was because of a deal with an XJ pilot and some other issues. So don't say they cant be canned.
 
O.K. md8 you win buddy!

and here is what I got to say about people that win arguments on the net....

http://home.attbi.com/~dustindufour/arguing.jpg

I guess I DON'T have the foggiest. And you know what... bew hew...I don't know who you are...I guess my life will just not be full, without knowing one more nerd in a funny hat.

Well at least we got that settled. Now we know two things for sure...

Your pilot friend was just getting picked on by federal agents, for no reason other than he just showed up for work that day and prisons are filled with innocent people...just ask THEM.
 
Nice try WrightAvia

WrightAvia said:
I deal with the TSA on a daily basis at the airport where I am outbased. I say hi to them, talk to them, know them. When I get droped off at the airport terminal in the evening, I go right in the front entrance of the terminal...glance at all the whuffo's getting their luggage screened for the next Mesaba flight...make a left turn...walk through a door that says...pilots lounge (it's for the general aviation pilots)...check the weather at the weathermation... then walk right out onto the ramp 50 feet from the big red SAAB 340...wave to the pilots as I turn left towards the Mesaba hanger (for which I have a key/my employer leases the hanger for my aircraft during the day) and then proceed to preflight my plane and stow my bag. So you're right...I don't have to be SCREENED by the TSA, but I do deal with them on a daily basis. In fact most of the TSA at this airport knew me before they were federalized. Most of the ones I know are ok.

Yea...it sucks to be scrutinized, but making a stand in a line full of people, with a guy that probably reads at the 8th grade level...aint no way to make change for the better.

They canned a TSA agent over at this airport I'm talking about...and I think ( I really can't say for sure ) it was because of a deal with an XJ pilot and some other issues. So don't say they cant be canned.

Sorry dude, nice try, but thats not dealing with them. So you "deal" with one group of TSAholes, at one airport? And you don't even get screened by them....SO SORRY, I guess you are the expert(note sarcasm). Once you start going through a myriad of different checkpoints at different airports and "dealing" with different screeners on a daily basis, then I'm willing to bet your opinion will be well received on here. As far as belittling the guy for getting fed up, thats your decision and opinion and you are allowed to express it(Free Country, but turning into less of one), so enjoy while you can. I think its about time someone stood up to some of these guys/gals, hopefully no job or certificate action will be taken against him.
Its the truth though, he did have an axe in the cockpit and he could chop the guys head off, that sucker's sharp.

I've been stopped in Indidanapolis the last several times I went through the checkpoint, and I didn't even set off the detector. They searched my bags, wanded me down, and wouldn't tell me why, except that they were "just trying to do their jobs". I was late for show time twice because of it, and should have been 15 minutes early. Finally, I refused to leave the checkpoint until they told me what the problem was, they said it was my flashlight, that it looked suspicious in the x-ray(its a plastic, 2 d-cell flashlight, walmart $2.00 special) and I should take it out of my bag to avoid this problem in the future. I told them that it was required to be in my bag by my airline....response: well then expect to be additionally screened when you come through.
This non-sense doesn't happen at any other airport that I go to.
So I guess, yes while I do have access to an axe I'll be careful not to brandish my flashlight in a scary way from now on.

I can see it now:

PILOT TAKEN OFF FLIGHT IN INDIANAPOLIS

A pilot was arrested for making this threatening commemt to security screeners yesterday at Indianapolis International:
"Hey I've got a flashlight in my bag, and I can make some really scary shadow puppets of a dog, bunny, butterfly or bird on the wall"

The incident is under investigation by the TSA who is looking to take away the pilot's license, meanwhile the pilot has been released on his own cognizance and his flashlight has been returned to him, although minus the batteries.
 
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.

The best part is that, at many airports, TSA screeners just walk through the metal detectors and don't even get stopped if it goes off. They are security, so they're trusted to not take anything illegal through....but pilots are not. Pilots are all a bunch of criminals in the TSA's eyes.

It really pissed me off when at PHX a TSA employee walked through the metal detector, set it off, was not searched, and he continued on into the terminal......while at the exact same time, they were wanding and searching an America West 757 Captain. He didn't set the detector off - he was just selected for "random" screening.
 

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