ALPA MEC CODE-A-PHONE UPDATE - February 12

[chipmunn]

ALPA MEC CODE-A-PHONE UPDATE - February 12, 2003
This is Roy Freundlich with a US Airways MEC update for Wednesday, February 12, with two new items:
Item 1. Several months ago, ALPA recommended to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) that it create a pilot Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO) training program to test its curriculum before expanding its use to train pilots nationwide. TSA has endorsed that concept and is now soliciting from ALPA the names of qualified volunteers for its first class of 48 pilots. ALPA members who are interested in being considered for this initial class should submit their information through an online application form that is on your ALPA International home page under Latest Developments. The deadline for submitting your information for this initial class is February 18.
The application, selection process and the background of ALPA’s efforts to introduce this training program is explained on the ALPA National Security Committee’s web page, located on the ALPA International website, for those interested in learning more about the general objectives of the program and the selection criteria for volunteers.
Item 2. The MEC will be holding an informational conference call on Friday to receive updates on issues related to the pilots’ pension plan. The meeting is expected to be conducted in closed session. Any information that becomes available will be announced.
Please remember we have 1,827 pilots on furlough.

 

[ClueByFour]

You do realize, of course, that in most/all states, cops, constables, armed guards, or anybody who carries heat in the course of their job has to undergo psychological exams, background tests, and extensive training before they can carry in the course of their occupation.

Why should pilots be any different? There is a load of difference in the physical and mental skillsets in flying the aircraft versus an armed standoff. Qualifying with your M9 and/or M16 in the service does not cut the mustard.

I'm all for the TSA on this one. If pilots want to play cop there is no reason in the world why they should get a break on the hoops to jump thru to get there.

 

[Stick-n-Rudder]

Airline Pilots' Security Alliance 8190 Beechmont Ave # 340,
Cincinnati, OH 45255-6117

ACTION ALERT

PASS THIS ALERT ALONG TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW!

Armed Pilot Program Screening Standards Unacceptable

The TSA (the same government bureaucracy that recently gave
itself the power to unceremoniously revoke a pilot's certificate)
will require from each Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO)
candidate:

1)A lengthy and probing application & resume.

2)A government administered psychological exam, testing AIRLINE
PILOTS for things like MENTAL ABILITIES, JUDGMENT, DISCIPLINE,
AND THE ABILITY TO FOLLOW PROCEDURES, POLICIES, REGULATIONS AND
LAWS. Airline pilots prove each day that they possess an
abundance of these traits. What would happen to a pilot that
failed to meet the TSA standard? Would the benevolent government
bureaucracy be merciful enough to let him continue to do the
job he has been doing quite well for many years?

3)A one-on-one "interview" with a TSA psychiatrist. The TSA will
be screening to make sure that AIRLINE PILOTS CAN "CONDUCT
THEMSELVES WITH MAXIMUM REGARD FOR THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF THE
TRAVELING PUBLIC, CREW AND FAMS..." No kidding.

4)A very probing, intrusive and exhaustive government sponsored
background investigation to include an "interview" with a
TSA "security expert." They will call a pilots neighbors,
friends, relatives, co-workers, previous employer and, in direct
violation of the law, THEY WILL ASK HIS OR HER CURRENT AIRLINE
EMPLOYER IF THEY THINK THE PILOT SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE
IN THE FFDO PROGRAM. Considering the airlines longstanding and
clear opposition to this program, we wonder what the answer might
be?

5)A medical evaluation. Apparently existing FAA exams required
every six months are inadequate for the TSA.

6)TSA agents will be skulking around FFDO training facilities
with pencils and notepads OBSERVING THE BEHAVIOR OF FFDO STUDENTS
DURING THEIR FIREARMS TRAINING and making sure they have the
proper "mindset." Stand by for a hostile training environment.

7)ANOTHER "psychological assessment" after training is
completed. Look forward to another TSA sponsored psychiatric
grilling.

TSA Proposed Firearms Carry Method is Unacceptable

The time proven method, the one that is the safest and most
secure way of transporting a firearm, is for the individual
responsible for the firearm to carry it on his person. The TSA
is not planning to allow this for FFDO's BECAUSE THEY WANT TO
MAKE THIS PROGRAM AS CUMBERSOME, UNMANAGEABLE, UNWIELDY AND AS
EXPENSIVE AS POSSIBLE in order to minimize the number of pilots
that volunteer and to doom the program to failure even before it
starts. GUNS IN UNATTENDED LOCK-BOXES OR IN UNSECURED CREW
LUGGAGE WILL PUT ALL PILOTS IN JEOPARDY AND MAKE OUR
TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM LESS SAFE, but these facts conflict with
the TSA's true agenda: To scuttle the FFDO program.

A TSA attorney-advisor, Mr. Stephen L. Cohen has made it clear
that the TSA intends to make the program so difficult,
intimidating and burdensome that no pilot will volunteer.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Help us to remind the TSA that they serve the traveling public
and are responsible to the Congress, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND!

RIGHT NOW, CALL 202/224-3121. ASK TO SPEAK TO YOUR CONGRESSIONAL
REPRESENTATIVE AND BOTH OF YOUR SENATORS.

TELL THEM THAT THE TSA IS IGNORING THE WILL OF CONGRESS AND IS
UNREASONABLY LIMITING THE NUMBER OF AIRLINE PILOTS THAT MAY BE
ARMED!

THEN CALL THE WHITE HOUSE AT 202/456-1111. TELL PRESIDENT BUSH
TO FIX THE PROBLEM AT THE TSA TODAY AND MAKE THEM IMPLEMENT AN
ARMED PILOT PROGRAM THAT COMPLIES WITH THE WILL OF CONGRESS.

Airline pilots want nothing more than a reasonable, effective and
safe program. It is OBSCENE to subject airline pilots, who
willingly volunteer for this unpaid duty so that they can defend
their passengers and crew, to the TSA proposed minefield.
Airline pilots are not the enemy, the terrorists are!





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[nvrsaynvr]

No changes by our current regime will come from emails complaining about anything. Only in the voting booth will we likely get relief. Systems like the TSA and Homeland Security are not driven by reason, but by fear. It is madness. Consider the reaction to the pilots remarks about having the power to crash a plane. Absolute truth, yet the powers that reign have pilots screened to remove any objects that could be used to....?, what?,, hijack the plane,? attack passengers?, attack themselves? All pilots should be allowed to enter their work with an approved ID verification. And, what about persons with access to the ramp areas along with flight priveleges? Who would try to pass a checkpoint with anything intended for a "bad deed" when it could be carried thru elshwere with an airport clearance ID? Such is the ability to reason with the governing entities. Who elected them?

 

[autofixer]

[blockquote]
----------------
On 2/13/2003 3:22:07 PM ClueByFour wrote:

You do realize, of course, that in most/all states, cops, constables, armed guards, or anybody who carries heat in the course of their job has to undergo psychological exams, background tests, and extensive training before they can carry in the course of their occupation.


Why should pilots be any different? There is a load of difference in the physical and mental skillsets in flying the aircraft versus an armed standoff. Qualifying with your M9 and/or M16 in the service does not cut the mustard.


I'm all for the TSA on this one. If pilots want to play cop there is no reason in the world why they should get a break on the hoops to jump thru to get there.
----------------
[/blockquote]
Of the two police officers I personally know, 1 (50%) shot himself in the stomach. I would put up the pilots' psychological test up against anyones'. After all, we see what a jet full of fuel can do to a building. And don't forget, many pilots have been qualified to work with and transport thermonuclear weapons...a far cry from .38s or M-16s.

 

[RowUnderDCA]

Here's a psych screening test question that I'd recommend:

"Do you habitually post on internet bulletin boards? If yes, can you provide copies of your posts."

 

[D3o2r8kdrvr]

Most EXCELLENT STARBOARD!