All,
There is a new security directive that is separate and
distinct from the Large Aircraft Security program the TSA is
implementing. Below are the details.
Folks this is serious. I first heard of this at a
local board meeting at Walker
field. I met it with initial disbelief, but it was verified later in
Montrose by a TSA official. Get the word out to other groups and folks
that you know, it’s going to be tough if they manage to get this
implemented. We need our representatives to know about this, I’m
not sure they do.
Thanks
Kevin
Please know that this is a planned and
stealth attack on General Aviation by a rogue agency dba TSA. This Security
Directive (SD1542-08-04-F) is not open for public comment and was slated to be
implemented under the radar while we all are fighting ANOTHER ridiculous TSA
mandate TSA-2008-0021 (LASP). This will surely nail the coffin on General
Aviation and devastate many, many industries and careers if implemented.
We cannot even gain access to this SD
since it is being cloaked in the secrecy of sensitive "national
security" matters.
Responses from aviation organizations
such as AOPA, NBAA and EAA indicate that they are aware of it, but powerless to
stop it.
I am copying you on an email I sent to
all my friends in aviation after I attended a meeting with TSA personnel last
night at the Montrose County Commissioner's office (MTJ). I have also attached
what little I could find of this SD, along with a response from AOPA:
I wanted to let you all know of a very
disturbing TSA Security Directive
(SD) that is being implemented under the
radar that affects ALL U.S.
airports with commercial Part 121 scheduled
airline service.
This is reality folks, and several of us
here in good ol’ western Colorado attended a meeting with TSA personnel
tonight in Montrose MTJ and confirmed this shocking news firsthand.
This SD would require that every person who
steps foot in the airport operations area be screened for security clearance
and badged before being allowed to have access on the ramp. If you are not
badged, then you must wait to be escorted by a badged representative and
escorted off the AOA.
This means that if you are flying into GJT,
you would have to wait in your cockpit until someone escorted you directly to
the FBO. That means no more self-serve fueling opportunities unless someone is
there to meet you, no more mingling on the ramp and talking to your
buddies…...no more freedom.
However, here is the kicker –
Let’s say you go through this security clearance at your local airport (a
$175 fee at GJT) and want to fly anywhere else and land at an airport with
scheduled commercial airline service i.e. Montrose, Vail, Telluride, Loveland,
Long Beach, Ontario, Santa Ana etc. you will have to be badged at EACH airport!
The way the SD is written now (and is
effective April 30, 2009) there is no provision for a standardized security
clearance. Each airport operates independently of every other airport!!!!!!
This is complete madness. This will drive the nail in the coffin of GA, and
combined with the TSA Large Aircraft Security Proposal (LASP) would virtually
destroy the freedoms that all of us have known our entire aviation careers!
AOPA was not aware of this until last week,
NBAA, NATA, EAA are caught off guard. You need to understand what this will do
to our industry.
The TSA personnel are not even allowing us
to view this 14 page directive because it is deemed sensitive to
“national security”. Our freedoms are being stripped away right
before our eyes.
As soon as we can get our hands on this
document we will make it public to everyone in the aviation community. Please
take the time to question your local TSA representatives about this proposal
and get involved.
If this thing is implemented, just think
how long it will take to be a requirement of EVERY airport in the U.S.
If there was ever a time for action, this
is it.
AOPA Response
Mr. Miller,
Thank you for contacting the AOPA Pilot
Information Center. Yes, AOPA is aware of this mandate.
Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, the TSA is proceeding with this
program. While the full details of the program are classified, it will
essentially require all persons with access to the secure portion of the
airport have a TSA approved airport access badge. If you have any
specific questions about this program, please feel free to contact us.
If I can be of further assistance, feel
free to contact me.
Tom Kramer
Aviation Technical Specialist
AOPA Pilot Information Center