Let'sgoflying!
Touchdown! Greaser!
I was given permission to share this story once IDs were removed. From a friend of a friend - thought it was important that everyone keeps apprised of what is going on. Sure hope it doesn't become commonplace. Reminds me of going to a Mx airport with all the various armed guards running around, saving no one in particular.
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Well, I had another "unique" aviation situation develop this past Friday. I flew to XXX, in 2.7 hours on an instrument flight plan, to be with my wife for a medical pre-surgical conference, etc
When I landed, I was met by a guy in a flak vest, with the initials CBP on it, shown a badge and told I had been "selected" for a "routine" ramp check by the FAA. I thought this somewhat unusual has I had been ramp checked before, by one FAA guy. But this time, there were 3 inspectors from the FAA, 3 guys from "CBP" in flak vests, guns, etc., and a sheriff's deputy with the K-9 dog. I was initially ask for all the routine paper work for me and the plane, by the FAA, which I gave them, and was all in order. The date on the plane's registration was smeared, and I was told this was from keeping the paper in the plastic pouch in the aircraft, and would have to get a legible replacement. (all you plane owners need to check your registration paperwork, if you keep it in the the plastic pouches that the plane makers routinely install for holding the paperwork) No big deal and the FAA was satisfied. Then, after I put away the paperwork, The CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) from Homeland Security ask me to get it all out again, and I politely complied with their request. They check me out and everything still seems to be in order. They are then looking at my plane and ask to search it. I give them permission, as I have nothing to hide, (or so I think!). They find a pistol, in its case, inside my luggage, in the baggage compartment, and it seems to excite them. I inform them that I have a permit to carry and concealed weapon, and am armed. This is required by law, if in a confrontational situation with a law enforcement officer. however, since I had been originally informed that this was a routine ramp check by the FAA, who are not law enforcement personnel, I had seen not reason to get involved. Well, the feces hit the rotary propeller at this point, and I was told not to move while I was searched, after I told them were to find my pistol, told them how to remove it, as they had trouble doing so, and were frustrated. Then after a body search, they ask me if I had any more weapons, which I told them I had a pocket knife they had missed in the search, which seem to make them more anxious. During this whole ordeal, I remained calm and collected, never lost my temper, never raised my voice, showed respect and answered all questions quickly and honestly. Now, those of you who really know me, know that this took more than a little restraint on my part!
Then they brought out the dog, which ALERTED on my plane! Things really started getting dicey at this point! However, after several of them searching for what seemed like hours, they did not find anything, as I had nothing to hide! This seem to upset them even more? All this time (a couple of hours?) I had been standing outside, in low 60's temperature, in a 30+ mph wind, in light slacks and a golf shirt. My wife and 91 year old mother-in-law had driven out on the ramp to pick me up, but were not allowed to get close to me or communicate with me. I finally was able to send them home. I then ask to go inside the FBO, and was allowed to do so, with a guard, who had been stationed with me since the search began.
The other officers stayed outside and checked out all my permits, gun registrations etc., and again everything was in order, but they seemed to be getting more frustrated by the minute? I guess, since they could not find a "bad guy"? The FAA left, and the officers had a conference. Several more hours of hassle and games playing happened, but that is the theme for a different story, at another time.
I finally got them to admit this was not a "routine" FAA ramp check, but a combined task force joint operation. I think there is even more to this story, but they would not share with me. They did tell me that C-210's were targeted planes for observation, because of their speed and load capabilities, the same thing the insurance people tell you, when they give you the outlandish premium bill!
So, if you are every ramp checked, by more than a single FAA guy, BEWARE!
Now all I have to do is ask the former owner, since I have only had the plane 6 months or so, what he had been hauling in the plane, as scents can be detected by the dogs for a year or more!
I am sure the good Doctor (former owner, but no names, to protect the innocent?) will have no knowledge of what went on, but he hangared the plane next to the plane that our local control tower operator was later caught hauling 850# of marijuania in? Think that smells can travel from plane to plane, through a hangar wall?
More later, if and when I find out more?
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Well, I had another "unique" aviation situation develop this past Friday. I flew to XXX, in 2.7 hours on an instrument flight plan, to be with my wife for a medical pre-surgical conference, etc
When I landed, I was met by a guy in a flak vest, with the initials CBP on it, shown a badge and told I had been "selected" for a "routine" ramp check by the FAA. I thought this somewhat unusual has I had been ramp checked before, by one FAA guy. But this time, there were 3 inspectors from the FAA, 3 guys from "CBP" in flak vests, guns, etc., and a sheriff's deputy with the K-9 dog. I was initially ask for all the routine paper work for me and the plane, by the FAA, which I gave them, and was all in order. The date on the plane's registration was smeared, and I was told this was from keeping the paper in the plastic pouch in the aircraft, and would have to get a legible replacement. (all you plane owners need to check your registration paperwork, if you keep it in the the plastic pouches that the plane makers routinely install for holding the paperwork) No big deal and the FAA was satisfied. Then, after I put away the paperwork, The CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) from Homeland Security ask me to get it all out again, and I politely complied with their request. They check me out and everything still seems to be in order. They are then looking at my plane and ask to search it. I give them permission, as I have nothing to hide, (or so I think!). They find a pistol, in its case, inside my luggage, in the baggage compartment, and it seems to excite them. I inform them that I have a permit to carry and concealed weapon, and am armed. This is required by law, if in a confrontational situation with a law enforcement officer. however, since I had been originally informed that this was a routine ramp check by the FAA, who are not law enforcement personnel, I had seen not reason to get involved. Well, the feces hit the rotary propeller at this point, and I was told not to move while I was searched, after I told them were to find my pistol, told them how to remove it, as they had trouble doing so, and were frustrated. Then after a body search, they ask me if I had any more weapons, which I told them I had a pocket knife they had missed in the search, which seem to make them more anxious. During this whole ordeal, I remained calm and collected, never lost my temper, never raised my voice, showed respect and answered all questions quickly and honestly. Now, those of you who really know me, know that this took more than a little restraint on my part!
Then they brought out the dog, which ALERTED on my plane! Things really started getting dicey at this point! However, after several of them searching for what seemed like hours, they did not find anything, as I had nothing to hide! This seem to upset them even more? All this time (a couple of hours?) I had been standing outside, in low 60's temperature, in a 30+ mph wind, in light slacks and a golf shirt. My wife and 91 year old mother-in-law had driven out on the ramp to pick me up, but were not allowed to get close to me or communicate with me. I finally was able to send them home. I then ask to go inside the FBO, and was allowed to do so, with a guard, who had been stationed with me since the search began.
The other officers stayed outside and checked out all my permits, gun registrations etc., and again everything was in order, but they seemed to be getting more frustrated by the minute? I guess, since they could not find a "bad guy"? The FAA left, and the officers had a conference. Several more hours of hassle and games playing happened, but that is the theme for a different story, at another time.
I finally got them to admit this was not a "routine" FAA ramp check, but a combined task force joint operation. I think there is even more to this story, but they would not share with me. They did tell me that C-210's were targeted planes for observation, because of their speed and load capabilities, the same thing the insurance people tell you, when they give you the outlandish premium bill!
So, if you are every ramp checked, by more than a single FAA guy, BEWARE!
Now all I have to do is ask the former owner, since I have only had the plane 6 months or so, what he had been hauling in the plane, as scents can be detected by the dogs for a year or more!
I am sure the good Doctor (former owner, but no names, to protect the innocent?) will have no knowledge of what went on, but he hangared the plane next to the plane that our local control tower operator was later caught hauling 850# of marijuania in? Think that smells can travel from plane to plane, through a hangar wall?
More later, if and when I find out more?
