Originally Posted by
bbc1969
Exactly. A piece of equipment is easily changed. While I agree that the whole locking holster (as reported in open source media) is stupid, authority to carry 24/7 based on being an FFDO is not needed to correct any problem that may or may not exist.
Also, as far as the debate about "everyone should be screened", the actual answer is that "they are screened". An FFDO pilot checking in, having his credentials checked (screened if you will), an airport worker with SIDA badge utilizing operational doors while at work, or LEO's who are properly credentialed, Airport SIDA badged are all considered "screened". Its not standing in a line being wanded, but it is considered "screening".
Now, some may not think that is adequete "screening", but to those who wrote these regs (and they have been around alot longer in most cases than 9/11)consider it "screening".
Pffffffft (sprays all over screen).
I've been issued SIDA badges for maybe 8 or 9 airports. I don't work in aviation.
A few years back I had a badge for a medium/large airport in Texas that's not a hub for anyone but has a strong GA and FBO presence. The airport had multiple badge colors for access to the sterile area and AOA:
Green: Leaseholder in the AOA (like an FBO or A&P). Unescorted AOA access only.
Red: All access. Unescorted access to terminal and AOA.
Yellow: Terminal leaseholder (e.g. Arby's employee). Unescorted access to terminal only.
I had been issued a green badge tied to my FBO. Well a few years later I started using another FBO and was working on a aircraft refurbishment project in the rental hanger area. One day, as I was about to grab an AA flight somewhere, I stopped in the little badge office in the terminal, explained that I was spending an awful lot of time going between places in the AOA and asked advice. The lady working pulls out a form,
helps me fill it out, and BANG I've got a red badge.
So I went from maybe getting the use the crew line now and then (depending on the disposition of the TSA agent checking IDs) to being treated like a ticket agent or ramp worker. During slow periods we would sometimes take an airside crew car, head over to a well known heavy maintenance facility next to the terminal to see them rip 747s apart and then maybe stop by the ramp area to see friends....all without even getting a glance from anyone. I even started taking smoke breaks now and then with a ramp worker friend of mine under the terminal.
The fact of the matter is that I was issued an awful lot of access for a not very good reason - I was lazy. This was not comforting security.
And to be fair the airport did get awfully tight about badges a year or so later. They even stopped letting green badges go through crew lanes. I did keep my red badge.