Post by Tom Goodrick on Apr 10, 2009 10:06:34 GMT -5
In the US, we value our freedoms. They are being diminished. We own cars and take for granted our freedom to get into our car and drive where we want to. The same used to be true for our airplanes, if we owned one. That freedom is going away.
Consider this story from this mornings AOPA ePILOT memo:
"One concerned member recently wrote to AOPA, saying “…the bigger issue is the TSA/DHS and the ‘secret’ security directives being implemented with very little publicity.”
The lack of publicity is a result of the directive’s classification as “sensitive security information.” Because of this classification, information about it has been coming to pilots piecemeal in the form of unexplained mandates at their airports. The mandate is not required to go through the public comment period either.
Under the current version of the directive, pilots based at air carrier airports are required to undergo a security threat assessment and receive a security badge in order to continue to have unescorted access to their airports."*
*(from AOPA ePilot, 4/10/09)
"TSA/DHS" translates to Transportation Security Administration and DHS is our old friend Department of Homeland Security.
Normally, directives with which pilots are forced to comply are issued only after a period of public discussion when the pilots have an opportunity to discuss and attempt to modify the directives. They also become aware and can prepare for the implimentation of the directive affecting their lives. Now we have the concept of "sensitive security information." The same is true of the "No-Fly List". If your name is on that list you cannot fly as a passenger on any aircraft within the borders of the US. How do you know when you are on that list? When they tell you! The list is under this same security classification so you cannot read it.
Now, according to the new directive, pilots who operate aircraft out of airports served by commercial flights - a very large majority of the airports in the US - must undergo background checks before receiving security badges that will allow them to walk unexcorted to their own airplanes. Some will have to sell or re-locate their aircraft. (They'll have to pay some qualified person to fly the airplane to a small airport with no commercial traffic.)
Today, General Aviation is in a lot of trouble from taxation and regulation in the US. Airplanes are considered just toys of the rich like fine art. States are imposing taxes on owners of aircraft who visit within the state.
Consider this story from this mornings AOPA ePILOT memo:
"One concerned member recently wrote to AOPA, saying “…the bigger issue is the TSA/DHS and the ‘secret’ security directives being implemented with very little publicity.”
The lack of publicity is a result of the directive’s classification as “sensitive security information.” Because of this classification, information about it has been coming to pilots piecemeal in the form of unexplained mandates at their airports. The mandate is not required to go through the public comment period either.
Under the current version of the directive, pilots based at air carrier airports are required to undergo a security threat assessment and receive a security badge in order to continue to have unescorted access to their airports."*
*(from AOPA ePilot, 4/10/09)
"TSA/DHS" translates to Transportation Security Administration and DHS is our old friend Department of Homeland Security.
Normally, directives with which pilots are forced to comply are issued only after a period of public discussion when the pilots have an opportunity to discuss and attempt to modify the directives. They also become aware and can prepare for the implimentation of the directive affecting their lives. Now we have the concept of "sensitive security information." The same is true of the "No-Fly List". If your name is on that list you cannot fly as a passenger on any aircraft within the borders of the US. How do you know when you are on that list? When they tell you! The list is under this same security classification so you cannot read it.
Now, according to the new directive, pilots who operate aircraft out of airports served by commercial flights - a very large majority of the airports in the US - must undergo background checks before receiving security badges that will allow them to walk unexcorted to their own airplanes. Some will have to sell or re-locate their aircraft. (They'll have to pay some qualified person to fly the airplane to a small airport with no commercial traffic.)
Today, General Aviation is in a lot of trouble from taxation and regulation in the US. Airplanes are considered just toys of the rich like fine art. States are imposing taxes on owners of aircraft who visit within the state.
