Airport Security

[tombuch 0]

I'm going to go out on a limb for a quick moment with something that isn't really skydiving related, but that we should all pay attention to. Last week NBC-TV sent a couple of undercover reporters to try and rent a helicopter as a means of showing how easy it is to smuggle weapons on board a GA aircraft. An alert FBO staff recognized something was fishy and called the police, foiling the efforts of NBC-TV to discredit general aviation.

As skydivers, we spend a good deal of time hanging out at airports, and we all have direct access to airplanes, sometimes big ones that could be used in terrorist activities. Let's be especially alert to people hanging around the airport who might be terrorists, or perhaps even journalists trying to get a local angle on a national story. Airport safety is the responsibility of each of us, and is especially important near urban areas. See the attached report from AvWeb.com about the NBC attempt.

Quote

The news media took a lashing from GA last week, in a turnabout that ended with two NBC-TV reporters under arrest and GA advocacy groups in an uproar. The two reporters, "Middle-Eastern-looking" men working undercover, went to St. Louis Downtown Airport on Wednesday and asked about chartering a helicopter. (Recall last week's warning that helicopters may be the next object of terrorists' desires.) They were trying to find out whether anybody was paying any attention to the "Security Alert" that warned of terrorist interest in helicopters. The reporters showed driver's licenses from two different states as their I.D., and tried to pay with cash. The FBO staff stalled the pair and called police. Officers arrested the two men after a search of their bags turned up knives, various weapons ... and box cutters. NBC News that night broadcast a brief note about the incident, but nothing could be found about it on its Web site, and the episode got very little play in the mainstream press.


...Raising Alphabet Ire...
The incident was made public nearly immediately when the American Association of Airport Executives sent out a notice to warn other airport operators that the same trick ("be on guard for trickery ... as well as terrorists"?) might be tried on them. That notice quickly cascaded across the Internet. On Thursday, GA advocates one after another not only lauded the FBO, but blasted NBC. AOPA President Phil Boyer scolded the network: "We hope this gives you -- and the other media who make a living by generating unnecessary fear -- ample reason to stop making GA a security scapegoat." James Coyne, president of the National Air Transportation Association (NATA), chimed in: "NBC owes [the FBO operators] a huge apology ... It's harassment -- pure and simple, and inexcusable." From EAA's Earl Lawrence: "This undercover attempt at creating news is the equivalent of shouting 'Fire' in a crowded theater just to see if there are enough doors." It was also a comparatively benign test of a system that ... this time ... worked. The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) praised the vigilance of the FBO staff. "Although it is doubtful this story will make the evening news programs, today's incident is further indication that the general aviation community takes security seriously," said President Ed Bolen.


...And A Reminder To Keep Watch
Clarke Thomas, president of Fostaire Helicopters, told NATA how the episode unfolded: "We got a call from a prospective customer asking about a scenic flight. They wanted to know how close they could get to the St. Louis landmarks, and they said price was no object. That raised a red flag right away because any businessman is always concerned with price. When they arrived, they were carrying duffel bags and backpacks -- something else that is very unusual." Thomas's response proves the validity of the Airport Watch concept, said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "Vigilant pilots and airport workers make the best security force because they know who does and doesn't belong at the airport. They can easily spot the things that just don't seem right." The general aviation community can quickly report suspicious activity to the federal toll-free hotline (1-866-GA-SECURE).

From: http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archives/avflash/277-full.html

Tom Buchanan
Instructor Emeritus
Comm Pilot MSEL,G
Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

[argon 0]

I would expect nothing less from NBC. Left wing assholes that never report anything unless it has to do with bashing George W. Bush. They have always been anti-general aviation and anti-law enforcement.Unfortunately the little charade pulls valuable resources from real threats. There are enemies among us,and anyone thinking that the increased security posture is purely political are certainly entitled to their opinions.General aviation is something we shouldn't take for granted and any one of us that spends times at airports should always be alert- giving politicians a reason to limit general aviation activity affects us all.PS Tom-you aren't going out on a limb- losing the ride up,really takes the fun out of the ride down.

***********
Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

[piisfish 135]

hum hum... this thread now belongs to the speakers corner....

scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM

[chaoskitty 0]

No, it doesnt. Very good points, Tom. Our security and safety is not just the responsibility of the government. I'm just one person, but I'll do my best to be aware of what is going on in the environment around me, and wont hesitate to inquire about a situation that looks wrong. Thanks for the heads-up.

Kristi

[kallend 1,648]

Quote

I would expect nothing less from NBC. Left wing assholes that never report anything unless it has to do with bashing George W. Bush. .

Oh sure, NBC, owned by General Electric, that bastion of socialism.

Try again.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[cvfd1399 0]

I agree. Every time people pull stunts like this the terrorists learn from their mistakes, making their job easier.

[piisfish 135]

yeah, tom had good arguments, for sure, but then argon came with

Quote

I would expect nothing less from NBC. Left wing assholes that never report anything unless it has to do with bashing George W. Bush.... There are enemies among us,and anyone thinking that the increased security posture is purely political are certainly entitled to their opinions.

scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM

[mattjw916 2]

NBC IS rather left-slanted, as are most of the major networks and news channels... with the exception of FOX.

I think NBC was just trying to generate buzz for ratings, which equal revenue, more than it being some left-wing conspiracy thingy though.

NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

[argon 0]

Regardless of your politics,my views are quite obvious and I agree this isn't the forum. But when a half assed political or rating oriented stunt causes a Knee jerk reaction-which we all have seen-by both sides of the aisle-affects the status of general aviation it affects the skydiving community. If every load has to file IFR or is handcuffed by more regulations you can kiss this sport good bye as we know it.Remember the state of airspace immediately post 911. And for those that think this is good journalism-try pulling that shit for yuks on your own.--can you say Federal Grand Jury.

***********
Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

[diverdriver 5]

I think the only thing NBC actually tought anyone was to be more paranoid of middle-eastern looking men. The threat is multi-national and you have to watch for ANYTHING out of the ordinary. I bring a camera to work to take pictures of planes because I love planes. A passenger comes to me saying another passenger was taking pictures of planes and we should watch him because he has dark skin. So he's instantly a terrorist and I'm not?

Chris Schindler
www.diverdriver.com
ATP/D-19012
FB #4125

[LearningTOfly 0]

I have one slightly deviant question:

What the f* do they plan to do with a helicopter?!

Take a Bell 206... Jetranger... for example- it's light, carries little gas, four of six people (I'm not entirely familiar) and that's about it... not exactly a terribly offensive weapon... a 172 would cost much less and have the same, please take this in context, 'capabilities'

I think we need to take into perspective the information the media is feeding us.

[kallend 1,648]

Every dollar spent on non-existent or unrealistic threats just for cosmetic purposes, is a dollar that is not available to counter real threats.

We need to get realistic and stop the grandstanding.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[pilotdave 0]

You might be surprised by how big some helicopters really are. Corporate helicopters can be well over 10,000 lbs. A fully loaded blackhawk (not that anyone's worried about those) weighs more than a fully loaded twin otter... almost twice as much in fact. A light blackhawk could lift a twin otter. Then there's the CH-53E, which can gross over 70,000 lbs.

But yeah, I totally agree. Even a 70,000 lb helicopter could do some pretty good damage, but it would be absolutely nothing compared to an airliner full of fuel. I'd be a lot more afraid of a rental truck than a typical helicopter.

Dave

[mattjw916 2]

Helicopters do seem a little impractical to me as well... after all, a semi-truck can navigate around a city loaded with god-knows-what in the trailer without raising any suspicions quite easily.

Doing a low-pass in a Sea Stallion or some other ginormous helicopter is going to generate some 911 calls

NSCR-2376, SCR-15080