W.Times editorial: Obama secretly ends FFDO program?

[Daytonaflyer]

As I suspected, that editorial was a vast misrepresentation of the truth. The funds had been directed toward setting up more effective administration and training for the FFDO program. They have not been taken away from the program at all, rather they are being used to strengthen the infrastructure of the program. The next dispersement of funds will be for training new officers. Typical from the Washington Times editorial section.

 

[DrewBlows]

ALPA Fast Read

TSA Reconfirms Commitment to FFDO Program March 17, 2009 In stark contrast to an op-ed article in today’s edition (March 17, 2009) of the Washington Times, that claims “…President Obama is quietly ending the federal firearms program, risking public safety on airlines in the name of an anti-gun ideology,” TSA officials reassured ALPA they are committed to the FFDO program and have plans for its expansion. TSA’s leadership immediately contacted ALPA and requested a meeting to discuss this news report. ALPA representatives met with TSA executives this afternoon and were told that TSA embraces the FFDO program, that there are no plans to reduce or restrict its growth, and that the agency fully intends to grow and expand the program.
Government representatives acknowledged that the program needs additional funding to achieve these goals, and that they are actively pursuing sources of additional funding. These funds will be used to enhance the program’s management structure and oversight, which if implemented, will address an ALPA Board of Directors security priority.
TSA is currently training hundreds of pilots each year and plans to continue to train at least that number or more into the future. The size of the FFDO cadre has grown so large that additional resources are needed to provide greater structure and oversight to this important program, which TSA referred to today as “an important layer of defense.”
“ALPA is very pleased that the TSA was so proactive in communicating its concerns to the Association and we are likewise pleased that we are able to report this good news to the membership,” said ALPA President, Capt. John Prater. “ALPA values its relationship with the TSA, and it is obvious from the way the agency handled this event that the feeling is mutual.”
Stay tuned.

 

[Max Powers]

Its amazing how neo-conservative fools such as Rush, Coulters, Rove and Chenney etc are ruining the Republican party with their fear mongering and nonsensical talk.

As you can see another myth debunked but not after it has done harm to the populace.

 

[ultrarunner]

... I've had that gun pointed at me on three different occasions (in the cockpit) while the idiot owner of the gun was unlocking the trigger lock. I was not happy.

What do you expect when you put a gun in someones hand that has NEVER owned one, used one, and knows absolutely NOTHING about weapon-retention. Expect what they learned at the quick-and-dirty FFDO training class.

No reason for those handguns to be on the flight deck.

 

[Tristar]

Simple. Use the peep hole. If clear, open the door. If bum-rushed by terrorists, close the door regardless of which side of the door you are on. . . I don't think any of us are trained on any of this, and I'm not sure why not.

I don't know what aircraft you've flown, but I can assure you there are a number of types out there where the peep hole (while better than nothing) has a VERY limited field of view, and with the layouts of the galley, two aisles, ect does not provide any assurance that someone isn't hiding around the corner. I didn't need to be trained on blocking/closing the door - to me that's common sense. That said, if a couple of big guys rush that door, it's going to be darn hard for me to get it closed - regardless of technique and readiness on my part.

IF they do get in the cockpit, the aircraft CAN be used as a weapon. Along with it's deterrent status (for ALL potential hijackings, not just 9/11 style attacks), the FFDO program does indeed provide a last line of defense (along with DOD shoot down authority - personally I find a gun in the cockpit much more palatable than a missle up the keister).

 

[Tristar]

I've had that gun pointed at me on three different occasions (in the cockpit) while the idiot owner of the gun was unlocking the trigger lock. I was not happy.

I can't say I blame you there - there is NO excuse for that. It does point to one of the flaws in the program as it exists today - the gun should be holstered and left alone from the start of the day to the end (assuming no bad guys show up). Any time it is handled increases the risk of an accidental discharge. Taking it in and out of boxes/bags, locking and unlocking trigger locks, holstering/unholstering is pure nonsense from a safety stand point. Get up, get dressed, put it on, don't screw with it.

 

[Lear70]

I can't say I blame you there - there is NO excuse for that. It does point to one of the flaws in the program as it exists today - the gun should be holstered and left alone from the start of the day to the end (assuming no bad guys show up). Any time it is handled increases the risk of an accidental discharge. Taking it in and out of boxes/bags, locking and unlocking trigger locks, holstering/unholstering is pure nonsense from a safety stand point. Get up, get dressed, put it on, don't screw with it.

Now wait, that would actually make sense, and we can't have any of THAT on Flightinfo...

 

[DiverDriver]

That will never happen again. Kill everybody in the back, we don't care, but we are not opening the door. Period.

Baloney. <bing...bong> "yah, I'd like some drinks / go to the lav"

...bum rushed.

End of story. Good night.

 

[Tweaker]

Flying public. The showbomber was brought down by passengers and not by a someone with a gun. The last time someone used a weapon in the a/c ended up in a tragegy when passenger taking prescription drugs was MISTAKENLY killed. (http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/12/07/airplane.gunshot/index.html).

So, you're not "breaking" anything new to me. Actually, I don't care anyway.[/quote]

Then how about a tall cool glass of STFU?

The only "mistakes" made that day were by both the individual who left the house without taking his "good dog" medication and then acted as if he had evil intent and yelled at length in a threatening manner, including the magic "Bomb" werd as well as his loved ones who did not ensure that he was medicated.

Court ruling and survey says...Good shoot.


If you make all the right moves with the information available at the time, you are a fool to allow armchair buttsniffs like Flying Corporal to tear you down with their after action omnipotence.

 

[Monster Buck]

]Your whole 'airline' career is probably post 9-11.[/b]

Just so you know, PRIOR to 9-11, the procedure for Hijackings was "cooperate don't escalate". In essence give the bad guys what they want, take them where they want to go and the situation will end eventually.

Well, on 9-11 the bad guys took full advantage of that policy. The second WTC crew were standing aallllllll the way in the back of the AC.

Had the policy been different and some index fingers got stuck in some eyeballs we probably wouldn't have a site called 'ground zero'.

Your ASSumption is incorrect, I was a captain at the commuters with over 6000 hours on 9-11. Nice try though, come teach me oh wise one.imp:

 

[bubbers44]

I thought all airline pilots back then were required to see the Barney Fife video every year.

 

[dillfer]

The biggest problem with the program is that it takes tax payers money to fund it. If you want an FFDO you ought to pay for it yourself or have your company reimburse you. Shouldn't take tax payers dollars. I can't believe all the anti-gun rhetoric on this site, very disturbing. Is there that much ignorance with firearms in this country? Or are they the ones that are just talking the loudest here?

"Better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it." A fitting quote.

 

[Jim Smyth]

The tax payers literally save MILLIONS per year with this program. It cost $1500 per FFDO to run him/her through the course. For every FFDO that steps up to the plate to defend his airline the traveling public and his country ("FOR FREE MIND YOU AND ON HIS OWN DIME AND OWN TIME OFF!") from the threat of terror, there's one less fam at 70K+ a year needed in the back end. Any time you don't think this program is warranted just watch the 911 footage again!

 

[HighSpeedClimb]

The whole POINT of the FFDO program is deterrance.

Somebody gets it!!

 

[Hamburger]

Its amazing how neo-conservative fools such as Rush, Coulters, Rove and Cheney etc are ruining the Republican party with their fear mongering and nonsensical talk.

As you can see another myth debunked but not after it has done harm to the populace.

When people get their information from the Rev. Moon's Unification Cult newspaper and are proud that their marching orders come from a drug addict, there's not much left that amazes me any more.