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.
0A
Tom Kramer
Aviation Technical Specialist
AOPA Pilot Information Center