APSA Action Alert

PASS THIS ALONG TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW.

Captain’s Club and APSA WebStore Opens!

The long-awaited APSA “Captain’s Club” is now open!  Of course, it’s not just for Captains, or even just pilots.  It’s for any of our members who want deep discounts on a wide range of security items, training equipment, firearms and even real estate, as well as special updates and offers non-members don’t have access to.  Membership costs only $25 per year to enjoy all the discounts as you help promote a responsible FFDO program, and the memberships are selling very quickly.  We want to thank all of the vendors who have partnered with us because they believe.  Frankly, some of the deals are far better than we had a right to expect!

You can purchase a membership at www.secure-skies.org.  Within a week of joining, you’ll receive a personal PIN to access the restricted areas of our site and start enjoying the discounts.  In the near future, the PIN will be provided instantly.

The new membership program will help increase APSA’s revenue stream, enabling us to carry on the fight, while it gives you a chance to save money, and our vendors opportunities to support us too. No one at APSA gets paid in any way for any thing we do.  The money just helps us cover the costs of media contacts, lobbying, and publicity.   Check out the APSA Online Store and become a member at www.secure-skies.org.

APSA Press Conferences

On August 26, APSA hosted simultaneous national press conferences at major airports across the country to protest the TSA’s inadequate management of the FFDO program. Groups of pilots and some of our friends in Congress gathered at DCA, ORD, CVG, MIA, HNL and LAX, and spoke out against the design and implementation of the program. We received major local and national press coverage, which led to interviews on Good Morning America, as well as other local programs. TSA also held a “rebuttal” press conference when they heard of our plans at DCA, basically to tell everyone that the program was going -- and this is a direct quote -- “full speed ahead.” ALPA President Duane Woerth supported the TSA, referring to professional pilots as, “people who are a little too eager to have a gun and a little to eager to use it.” You can contact Captain Woerth at woerthd@alpa.org if you have any comments.

The success of our press conferences will improve our image in Congress as we push for legislative changes.  The TSA is having to work quite hard to defend their program management (or mismanagement) and their reputation on Capitol Hill is pretty poor.  Congress isn’t falling for their line anymore. 

Status of the FFDO Program

TSA held a “media day” on October 15, in Artesia, NM, proudly showing everyone the single remote training facility they’ve dedicated to the FFDO program. Running at its present pace, the facility will take twenty years to train even a third of the 100,000 eligible pilots.  We’re guessing the terrorists are training at multiple facilities, not being psych-screened or carrying weapons in locked boxes; and they’ll be ready quite some time before we are.  At the same time, the number of FFDO volunteer pilots has fallen from 40,000 originally estimated, to only 5000, as a result of the TSA’s onerous program design.  Lodging at Artesia is $15 per night and meals $10 per day.  A TSA shuttle will take FFDO volunteers to Artesia from Lubbock and Roswell. 

TSA is notifying pilots of training dates at the last minute, making it impossible for them to schedule time off; then, TSA is reporting a lack of interest and empty seats in their classes when the pilots don’t show!  TSA is failing fully 50% of applicants on screening grounds.  However, NO FAILURE HAS RESULTED IN ANY EFFECT ON AN APPLICANT’S FLYING STATUS OR CAREER as was reported recently in a letter to UAL pilots, resulting in a decline in volunteers.  IT IS NOT TRUE.  Every pilot we’ve talked to says the training is outstanding; but the program’s design and TSA’s commitment needs a lot of work.  Cargo pilots have still not been included in the FFDO program, though legislation has been presented in Congress.

The Federal Air Marshal Program has been moved to the newly created Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.  The FFDO program may be moving there also, but one of the TSA’s managers who favors the present program design is moving with the program.  We don’t expect any improvements as a result of the prospective change, unless better people are put in charge.

Prep for FFDO Training with SIGARMS

Sigarms is offering pilots a two-day training course to learn the skills required to succeed at the TSA’s FFDO Training Program.  The course includes weapons handling, close quarters battle training and other proficiencies and costs $495 per student.  Ammunition and all support equipment is provided.  It is held at the SIGARMS Academy, Epping, New Hampshire or at a suitable remote location.  To register, or for more information please call the SIGARMS Academy at 603-679-2003 or visit their website at www.sigarmsacademy.com.

APSA Legislation

The Airline Pilots Security Alliance, in consultation with federal agents, pilots and Congressional representatives has written legislation to force a fix to the FFDO program.  The legislation simply requires FFDO’s to be treated like Federal Air Marshals.  It also provides penalties if TSA does not comply.  Please contact your Congress and urge them to support our legislation when it is presented.  We expect to advance it to Congress early in the new year.  APSA is gaining a lot of credibility in Congress and in the media, while the Administration is doing a lot of explaining.  Stay tuned…and take a look at the Captain’s Club!