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!

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

www.secure-skies.org