TSA wants a free ride!

[cforst513]

I agree with Spooky1 that this whole idea is a bit iffy, but it could be a tough legal issue depending on what category these people would be put in. As you know, there are a few types you cannot refuse access without stirring up a real hornet's nest...Secret Service, FAA ACI's, NTSB, etc. Sure, you can throw 'em off, but you better have one seriously good reason with cast iron proof you're right.

However, I can't imagine ANY case can be made for allowing these people in the cockpit for ANY reason. "...to see what they're protecting..." ?? They saw that when they pawed through my suitcase full of dirty underwear, smelled my feet, and got close enough to give me a big, wet French kiss.

Even a one-time FAM ride is out of the question. Unless they're put in some "must ride" category, I can't imagine ever hearing of one of them being allowed by the captain to ride in the cockpit.

What a joke !!!

I agree with you 100%. gee, let's see: allow a guy whose job it is to protect the POTUS into the cockpit or allow Ron Felcher from off the street, who happens to run the the TSA X-ray machine, into the cockpit. i think the answer is clear. it's "C", the extremely hot (and rare) brunette 22 year old stewardess whom you befriended the night before

no, seriously, i'd take the Secret Service guy over the TSA guy any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

 

[pilotpayne]

Here is a god one for you. We get to atlanta and head in for lunch, thanks to a 3 hour sit. The f/a stays on to read or something. I come back and the door is closed and no f/a. The captain comes back and says the tsa is giving our airline a fine for leaving the airplane door open and that means the airplane was not secured. The f/a went in after us to grab some food and didn't close the door. I couldn't belive it the tsa guy said our airplane was not secure even though it's on a secure ramp thanks to the tsa. He also said it was because we left our door open. I guess the people who want to blow up our planes can't read because the directions to open the door are right there on it. I HATE THE TSA.

 

[cforst513]

uhoh... i think that this is spawning a new thread!

 

[Cuban B.]

Only after full body cavity search by surly rampers

 

[ultrarunner]

Unfortunetly this rumor has a ring of truth to it. I am not sure what you can do to stop it as if I am not mistaken these folks come under the Justice Dept. and with full backing from that part of the goverment, things could get dicey real quick.

Actually, TSA is a sub-division within the Department of Homeland Security, which also includes Customs and Border Protection and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement.

With that being said, I would find it unlikely you will get groups from DHS approved to ride in the flight deck.

If TSA were under DOT's jurisdiction or, as you mentioned, DOJ, then it might be a different matter. Under DOJ they would be grouped with FBI and BATF, and of course under DOT, grouped with the FAA.

 

[Bumz_Rush]

was this posted 1st April......................................

 

[Hung Start]

Not on my plane. Period

 

[I'm42]

Wait! How about this: "Sir, I believe I smell alcohol on your breath. I cannot allow you to ride the jumpseat in that condition."

That's great!!!

Besides, aren't those new cockpit doors meant to keep people like them on THE OTHER SIDE of the door!!

 

[propsarebest]

ISN'T IT FUNNY HOW THE OBSERVERS O2 SUPPLY ALWAYS SEEMS TO BE LOW WHENEVER THEY REQUEST THE JUMPSEAT?



HMMMMMMMM

 

[propsarebest]

was this posted 1st April......................................

NOPE, THIS IS THE HONEST TO GOD TRUTH. SAD.

 

[JD2003]

HA HA
*****

 

[JD2003]

TSA

Thoroughly Stinkin Assinine

The only they are protecting is their own beaurocratic largess.

I am so glad the government in its infinite wisdom gave these people 40, 60, and 80 thousand dollar a year jobs....by the way...love the epaullettes!

Stupid politicians...federalize airline workers!

 

[Flydaplane]

The TSA has no plans to allow anyone in the cockpit! !

DON'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU READ OR HEAR...You're "agent" friend isn't even an agent any more. Each large airport used to have FAA Special Agents (under the DOT). This group was merged into the TSA in 2003, the agents are now called Inspectors (a group totally seperate from the screeners). Inspectors frequently test the TSA screeners to see how poorly they perform as well as verify compliance with the Airport Security Plan (ASP) and the Aircraft Operators Standard Security Plan (AOSSP). They do not control the ramp; this is the job of the airport personnel. The inspectors verify that you are in compliance with the AOSSP (written by the FAA) which states that you must secure your aircraft (which includes closing the door) when it is not attended.
They occasionally would have to enter your airplane to verify the first flight and international inspections have been done in compliance with the current Security Directives (SD's) that have been issued. They have no need to enter the cockpit other than as a courtesy introduction to the pilot prior to the inspection. Most of these inspections are done prior to the crews arrival, however, if the crew does the search then you may see them during your prefllight stuff.

THERE ARE NO DIRECTIVES AUTHORIZING ANYONE FROM TSA TO RIDE IN THE COCKPIT.

BTW the average screener makes $26,000 a year (more than I made at Skywest but not quite the $80,000 that JD2003 mentions)

From the USAJOBS.GOV website
TRANSPORTATION SECURITY SCREENER
SV-0019, Pay Band D
Annual Salary Range - $23,600-$35,400 per year

 

[Dizel8]

"if the crew does the search then you may see them during your prefllight stuff.'

Pray tell, who made sure they were adeaqutely wanded and are not hiding weapons on my aircraft? Seen enough TSA personnel walking through the machine setting it off, yet no one raises an eyebrow. As we saw, in MCO I believe, they were taking bribes letting bad stuff through.

Sorry, it is simply window dressing! There are plenty of loopholes, we see it every day!

 

[Flydaplane]

I agree a lot of it is window dressing...do you have any solutions? Does anyone know the status of the CASS system for commuting pilots?

 

[slowto250]

You guys need to lighten up a little. Let's all try to welcome them aboard.
Even offer them a cup of coffee. Cream and sugar ? No problem.






How about a little Visine ?

 

[TR4A]

This was brought up two years ago when we were trying to get the off-line JS back. Prior to the CASS approval. TSA did bring up the subject. The airline JS coordinators made sure it did not happen.

 

[Flyingdutchman]

I'll buy that coordinator a beer any time!

 

[Midnight Flyer]

Boy that's not fair when those aholes can travel free, but it costs me over $200 in non-rev fee's to travel my wife and child on American Airlines for a short weekend getaway.

Wouldn't that just make your day if you were trying to jumpseat home and ended up getting bumped by one of these people?

 

[captdawg]

TSA Jumpseating

I wouldn't let a TSA employee jumpseat with me, but I would love it if ICE would allow the FAM's to jumpseat, they deserve it.