Originally Posted by Fly4Food
Read the following today, and it seems this is at least some proof to all that believe the government is the only line of defense in security now days.
http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsite...0812watch.html
Hat's off to the alert folks for doing what they always do, protect significant investment in aircraft, and
to NBC for trying to create journalism.
Not to say that TSA does not have a place somewhere, I just think stepping into the NYC private helicopter charter screening business is not one of them.
While I'm not out to offend anyone, I think the question of
needing TSA to perform all screening is a valid one. Thoughts??
AOPA
AOPA has partnered with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to develop a nationwide Airport Watch Program that uses the more than 650,000 pilots as eyes and ears for observing and reporting suspicious activity. This helps general aviation keep our airports secure without needless and expensive security requirements. AOPA Airport Watch is supported by a centralized government provided toll free hotline (1-866-GA-SECURE) and system for reporting and acting on information provided by general aviation pilots.
So the crew used a government (TSA) developed program to report this suspicious circumstance.
The NYC private helicopter charter screening is for the RNC. Helicopters and private aircraft wanting access to NYC airspace will be directed to one of several smaller airports to have the aircraft and personnel searched before continuing.
The security is being run by the government so it only makes sense for the government component in charge of transportation security and screening be involved. TSA's role in the RNC is not isolated to just screening.