TSA's (not) Arming Pilots Update

[Kennedy 0]

As seen HERE

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Exclusive: TSA’s Email Threat ‘Last Straw’ for Congressman
By Jeff Johnson
CNSNews.com Senior Staff Writer
January 26, 2004

(CNSNews.com) - A sponsor of the anti-terrorism legislation aimed at arming commercial airline pilots against hijackers says a threatening email uncovered as part of a CNSNews.com investigation into the implementation of that program, is "the final straw."

U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) plans to introduce legislation, "right away," along with House Aviation Subcommittee Chairman John Mica (R-Fla.) and as many as 50 co-sponsors, to force major changes in the program. The proposal would primarily remove most of the Transportation Security Administration's influence over what is formally known as the Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO) program. Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Ky.) is expected to introduce an identical bill in the Senate.

The email message Wilson cited, which CNSNews.com obtained from confidential sources, threatened participants of the FFDO program with fines and dismissal if they shared "sensitive" information about the program with members of Congress, other law enforcement officials or the media. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) had sent the email to FFDOs one day after a CNSNews.com special report was published detailing numerous criticisms about how TSA is administering the program.

"The final straw was the email restricting [FFDOs] from communicating their point of view with Congress," Wilson said, "which apparently was in response to [the CNSNews.com ] article." The email, he added, represents "an effort to chill the discussion of this issue, which, instead of chilling my interest only piques it more."

more at site, too long to quote

witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
1*

[rjf98 0]

Interesting, but the email shouldn't ruffle even congressmen's feathers all that much. They (Congress) are authorized oversight only through proper channels as well. Some committees get briefings and others don't. Sharing of SSI information to media sources should be grounds for dissmissal and civil fines.

[Kennedy 0]

My understanding was what pissed off the legislators was just what the TSA was saying was SSI. Basically, the TSA was saying everything that would show they're not following the intent of the law was SSI.

The TSA made it as hard as possible for pilots to become FFDOs. Couple that with the fact that they're not taking anymore FAMs, and what are we supposed to think?

witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
1*

[freeflir29 0]

Read my Thread Here


Funny they should threaten them concerning LEAKING of info.

[peacefuljeffrey 0]

Yeah, I've been pretty disgusted by the TSA's attitude toward the one thing I believe can ever truly prevent another hijacking -- armed pilots. They are clearly deliberately hobbling the program. You no doubt heard about how the pilots who want to participate have to go, at their own expense, to some remote area in New Mexico, I believe, that is 90 miles from the nearest population center. It's sickening -- as though they WANT to leave us vulnerable, just because armed defense with a gun is something they're ideologically opposed to.
-

-Jeffrey
"With tha thoughts of a militant mind... Hard line, hard line after hard line!"

[freeflir29 0]

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You no doubt heard about how the pilots who want to participate have to go, at their own expense, to some remote area in New Mexico, I believe, that is 90 miles from the nearest population center.

Well...since pilots DO fly free........and 90 miles? Depends on your definition of "Population Center."

[Kennedy 0]

Um Clay, that involves FAMs, and everyone knows there just aren't enough of them. What does your post/thread have to do with FFDOs?

I didn't see the special, but I picked out the FAM last time I was in line for screening. It's not hard to notice the guy with a military style handbag who isn't going through the metal detectors.

I'd say to hell with the secrecy and let them carry H&Ks on board, but that would show just how many flights aren't covered.

witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
1*

[Kennedy 0]

I'm less concerned with travel arrangements than the "selection process." It would more aptly be called the elimination process.

MXC methods would make more sense than some of the stuff they want.

witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
1*

[freeflir29 0]

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What does your post/thread have to do with FFDOs?

This........

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which CNSNews.com obtained from confidential sources, threatened participants of the FFDO program with fines and dismissal if they shared "sensitive" information about the program with members of Congress, other law enforcement officials or the media.

Seems you can only give away the circus scott free if you are at the "executive" level.




Also take a look at THIS GEM of an article. Craziness I tell you!


www.navyseals.com/community/articles/article.cfm?id=2835