Airport Security

[Dangerous Dan]

I get aopa news emailed to me.

I saw where new laws make it so I cannot land at any airport that has "commercial service" unless i first get a security check and badge for that specific airport before flying there..
If i dont get the badge and land there I must wait in my aircraft for an escourt or walk straight to the nearest exit.
is this true??

Guessing most of you guys are flying around the US and know what the real deal is... Cannot be as bad as it seems to some one who only experinces the "land of the free home of the brave" through the inet and CNN at the chow hall TV?

not sure if this would be better under another heading just could not find a better fit...thanks, Dan

[Bubblehead]

I was in a couple of airports with commercial service two weeks ago with my -8. Each time the lineboy met me and escorted me out the gate, but gave me the gate code so I could go back in if he wasn't around. No big hassle. Has the law just gone into place? Perhaps you can past a quote from the AOPA email.

I did get a laugh in Burlington, Iowa from a thick red line stenciled "Restricted Area" around the spot where the commercial flights park. I guess as long as the terrorist can read "Restricted Area" he won't go past the line with the bomb-loaded car.

[Ron Lee]

It may have started at the beginning of this month.

[Dangerous Dan]

AOPA eBrief June 15 2009

Senators reflect pilots' dissatisfaction with security directive
By AOPA ePublishing staff

Because of the sudden implementation of a Transportation Security Administration security directive (SD-08G), many pilots and airport personnel are struggling to adjust to the requirements. Sens. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Max Baucus (D-Mont.) wrote to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, expressing pilots' concerns.

Baucus stressed to Napolitano the importance of GA, explaining that ?Across rural areas of Montana, general aviation is [the] lifeblood to people in isolated towns.? He also pointed out ?an unfunded mandate?may disproportionately impact rural airports and general aviation, both of which are very important to many of these rural communities.?

Under the new security directive, pilots who are based at air-carrier airports will have to get a badge in order to have unescorted access to the airport. Transient pilots flying into air-carrier airports must remain close to their aircraft, leaving it only to walk to and from the fixed-base operator, service provider, or airport exit. However, the TSA has said that it will make provisions for self-fueling operations and grant allowances for emergency situations.

Tester noted that ?there needs to be a better understanding of the costs of these security changes, particularly to small, rural airports.?

He also questioned the need for the regulations to be put through the emergency SD process: ?The emergency security directive process was granted to TSA by Congress to allow emergency action to be taken to save lives,? when immediate threats existed. ?That it has taken six months to implement this security directive raises questions about the necessity of the emergency rulemaking process in this case?. It appears that greater transparency and public comment would only have improved the relationship between the TSA and the pilots and airport directors who are on the front lines of the general aviation industry.?
June 11, 2009

I guess this will make it go away??? eBrief June 18 2009

DHS inspector general: GA terrorism threat "mostly hypothetical"
The inspector general of the Homeland Security Department issued a finding on Wednesday that the terrorism threat posed by general aviation is "limited and mostly hypothetical." In response to a Houston TV news report, Richard Skinner said TSA guidelines, "coupled with voluntary measures taken by owners and operators of aircraft and facilities, provide baseline security for aircraft based at general aviation sites." In preparing the report, Skinner's staff visited a mix of large and small GA airports across the country. "The current status of [general aviation] operations does not present a serious homeland security vulnerability requiring TSA to increase regulatory oversight of the industry," Skinner's report concluded. Government Executive (6/17)


I LOVE the USA and pray she stays strong and FREE!
Grateful to organizations like EAA, AOPA & VAF for protecting our flying hobby.
Hate to be a scardiecat but as most of you know better than I, freedom is not free... waht we have is special and precious, easily broken... thanks, Dan

[the_other_dougreeves]

Originally Posted by Bubblehead

I did get a laugh in Burlington, Iowa from a thick red line stenciled "Restricted Area" around the spot where the commercial flights park. I guess as long as the terrorist can read "Restricted Area" he won't go past the line with the bomb-loaded car.

Exactly. To paraphrase Jefferson (Thomas, that is), such laws do not deter those who intend to do harm and only serve to restrict those who are neither inclined or determined to commit crimes.

It's probably related to the new TSA Security Directive, which is secret and can't be printed. I wish I were making this up.

TODR

[John Clark]

Google "TSA Security Directive SD-8G" and read all about it. Well, not really all, because it is a secret, but we have to comply. This is yet another unfunded mandate by the TSA, which is to say, they come up with a silly rule without guidance or funding for the airports to make it work. This, like similar issues in the past will evolve into something workable. The bottom line on this one is that FBOs and airport operators need to be aware of who has ramp access. It is shaking down to some form of ID for based operators, which has already been accomplished at most airports with scheduled service, and the requirement that the FBO keep an eye on transients.

From a proir thread:
"The "problem" is TSA trying to justify their existence. GA is not now, nor is likely to ever be a factor in terrorist threats. It is, however, an easier "problem" to solve than the real ones!"

John Clark
RV8 N18U "Sunshine"
KSBA

[rv8ch]

... yet another unfunded mandate by the TSA, which is to say, they come up with a silly rule without guidance or funding for the airports to make it work. ....

I hope it stays unfunded. I would hate to see my precious (to me) tax dollars going to "protect" us from an inexistant threat.

[Dangerous Dan]

Sorry got so excited about thsi stuff. bubbleheads post showing the line helps me see that it will not wipe out my dream of flying around the usa. Guess I have been watching to many of thise Alex Jones you tube videos.

Once again the wonderful communitay of VAF heps me see what the real story is..

thank you very much, with respect, Dan

[John Clark]

Originally Posted by rv8ch

I hope it stays unfunded. I would hate to see my precious (to me) tax dollars going to "protect" us from an inexistant threat.

Sorry Mickey, but in this case unfunded just means that the airport has to come up with a plan and pay for it themselves. Makes the airport the "bad guy" in some peoples eyes.

John Clark
RV8 N18U "Sunshine"
KSBA

[jsherblon]

First of all, Dan - Thank you for serving our country.

According to the EAA, the TSA security directive has been revised. Check this link: http://www.eaa.org/news/2009/2009-05-29_8g.asp

Looks like no wandering around airports in search of that P-38 that's been tucked away in that old hangar for 50 years.

I still wonder how this applies to KOSH and AirVenture. Will they need 500,000 security badges?