TSA @ KMTJ

[murphey]

Many of you remember the transcript that was posted here a few weeks ago relating the TSA pronouncement about badging at airports with scheduled airlines. Here's more info about the activities....
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Today I called the Western Skyways engine service shop. Although their
facility is on the far other side of the Montrose, CO airport from
the airline terminal building, they are now required to badge all of
their employees. After June 1 (unless the "alphabet groups" get their
act together), if you do not have a new MONTROSE security badge,
you can not disembark from your aircraft to buy a sparkplug. A
Western Skyways employee must escort you. The badge application is
lengthy and will cost you $150 to apply. It is not usable at any other airport.

So I called the Grand Junction Airport head of security, and received
the same bad news. We will need $175 GRAND JUNCTION ONLY badges for
those of us that regularly work on the TBM Avenger, CAF museum, or
if you just have any airplane hangared or tied down at the airport.

TSA has defined that these badges are required at all
"Air Operation Areas" - which is anywhere an airplane can go on
the airport property - for those airports serviced by airlines.
So this includes any tie-down parking and self-serve refueling stations
even if located away from the airline terminal. One badge per airport.

A phone call to AOPA got a "we are working on it" reply although
I have seen NOTHING yet officially from AOPA, EAA, etc. The person
answering their phone said "but you will need a security badge at
your home airport ONLY if it is serviced by airlines, therefore
not many pilots are affected" and he was then surprised when I
replied with "what if I wanted to fly to another airport?" Admittedly
I was not working very far up the AOPA responsibilty chain, but
he noted my displeasure at lack of information being published
by AOPA, and said he would inform the AOPA Security Vice
President. I "think" that was a good thing.

This Security Directive (SD 1542-04-88F) was unilaterally enacted
by TSA on December 10 and will become effective on June 1.

You might also watch this TSA-related newscast.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMB6L487LHM

Have a nice day. Feel safe.

 

[KennyFlys]

I'd take such measures seriously if I actually saw TSA agents on our side of the airport actually doing more than walking up the sidewalk on the non-secure side of the hangars. Even that act is only once a month or so.

Instead, they'll probably be there just to fine a regular and known tenant, pilot or instructor who doesn't have their badge on hand and showing.

The government will protect us. Don't worry!

 

[Palmpilot]

The problem with unenforced rules is that they then have a tool to go after anyone they don't like.

 

[Palmpilot]

After June 1 (unless the "alphabet groups" get their act together), if you do not have a new MONTROSE security badge, you can not disembark from your aircraft to buy a sparkplug. A Western Skyways employee must escort you.

The thing I can't figure out is, how are transient pilots supposed to know at which airports it's OK to get out of the plane? And are the escorts supposed to stand there the whole time that you are preflighting and loading your luggage? Sounds expensive to me. And what about aircraft that arrive or depart when the FBO is closed?

The SS, er, I mean TSA, also doesn't seem to have figured out that terrorists can simply kill the escort and then have the run of the airport.

Since the goal is to protect airliners, they should simply post guards at the edges of the restricted areas and leave the rest of us the heck alone.

 

[Bob Noel]

> How are transient pilots supposed to know at which airports it's OK
> to get out of the plane?

There isn't any reasonable process for the transient pilot.

> And are the escorts supposed to stand there the whole time that
> you are preflighting and loading your luggage?

yes.

> Sounds expensive to me.

Apparently, cost is not an excuse for not implementing these "security"
measures.

> And what about aircraft that arrive or depart when the FBO is closed?

As usual, TSA "security" measures are dreamed up by idiots that can't
grasp the consequences of the "security" measures.

> The SS, er, I mean TSA, also doesn't seem to have figured out
> that terrorists can simply kill the escort and then have the run of the airport.

The volume of things that the idiots at TSA haven't figured out is staggering.

> Since the goal is to protect airliners, they should simply post guards
> at the edges of the restricted areas and leave the rest of us the heck alone.

But that would cost the airlines too much!!! It wouldn't be fair!!!!

 

[Kelvin]

Me thinks this is all about money...not security...

 

[TangoWhiskey]

How do we stop this insanity?

 

[JeffDG]

Me thinks this is all about money...not security...

More about 'crats building bigger empires...they have all the drones they can stuff into the terminals without people asking what they're all doing, so in order to grow their little empires, they need to spread out more.

 

[AuntPeggy]

Well, I handled the matter at HPN by refusing to go through the ID badge process. I just let the FBO give me a lift to my airplane in their little go-cart.

 

[KennyFlys]

Well, I handled the matter at HPN by refusing to go through the ID badge process. I just let the FBO give me a lift to my airplane in their little go-cart.

Unfortunately, it's going to take an extreme measure such as what Peggy did but being ready for the repercussions. At some point, someone is going to have to refuse then take the matter to court to fight for their rights under the Constitution. At least three clauses will apply before it's over.

 

[Kelvin]

We are saying the same thing...

More about 'crats building bigger empires...they have all the drones they can stuff into the terminals without people asking what they're all doing, so in order to grow their little empires, they need to spread out more.