Originally Posted by
bocastephen
The FAA has little interest in searching GA - the TSA has claimed it has the right to search pilots, bags and aircraft, but so far no plan has been created since the entire concept of dispatching screeners to the literally thousands of GA airports across the country is beyond ludicrous.
Dispatching them only to 'key' airports or the FBOs at large commercial service airports would only harass customers and drive GA to other facilities - the economic backlash would end any such initiative quickly.
The first time a TSA person attempts to block a private aviator from flying his/her own aircraft will be the first time a TSA person ends up sprawled across the pavement looking like one big bruise.
Yabut the DCA Access Program puts GA through TSA screening and requires an FAM aboard any plane flying into DCA. Further, when the Federales have tightened restrictions on the DC area GA airports, they've mandated that GA planes stop at a gateway airport for a search prior to being allowed in.
Here's an example from 2003:
3/1105 - FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS. EFFECTIVE 0302101100 UTC (0600 LOCAL 02/10/03) UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, NO PERSON MAY OPERATE AN AIRCRAFT TO, FROM, OR BETWEEN THE COLLEGE PARK AIRPORT (CGS), POTOMAC AIRFIELD (VKX) OR WASHINGTON EXECUTIVE/ HYDE FIELD (W32), EXCEPT UNDER THE FOLLOWING PROVISIONS: A. IN ADDITION TO THE SECURITY PROVISIONS SPECIFIED IN SFAR94, ALL PERSONS MUST COMPLY WITH THESE SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS. 1. AIRCRAFT MUST UNDERGO SECURITY INSPECTION BY A TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION INSPECTOR PRIOR TO DEPARTURE FROM THE AIRPORTS ABOVE. 2. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED FOR IN NUMBER 4 BELOW, AIRCRAFT MUST LAND AT AN IDENTIFIED GATEWAY AIRPORT FOR SECURITY INSPECTION PRIOR TO RETURNING TO THE AIRPORTS ABOVE. 3. UPON COMPLETION OF THE SECURITY INSPECTION AT THE GATEWAY AIRPORT, AIRCRAFT MUST PROCEED DIRECTLY TO THE DESTINATION AIRPORT WITH NO INTERMEDIATE STOPS. 4. IF AN AIRCRAFT DEPARTS FROM ONE OF THE AIRPORTS ABOVE, RECEIVES FLIGHT FOLLOWING AND REMAINS IN CONTACT WITH ATC FOR THE DURATION OF THE FLIGHT, AND MAKES NO INTERMEDIATE STOPS, THE AIRCRAFT MAY RETURN TO THE AIRPORTS ABOVE WITHOUT FIRST LANDING AT AN IDENTIFIED GATEWAY AIRPORT. B. LEE AIRPORT (ANP) IS AN IDENTIFIED GATEWAY AIRPORT. ADDITIONAL SITES WILL BE IDENTIFIED IN THE FUTURE. WIE UNTIL UFN
As for the inspections, I am reminded of what the security idiots did at Meigs (before Daley closed it, but after 9/11, and pre-TSA).... in several cases, they took pens and pencils away from pilots that had to go through security clearance. Pretty tough to write down an IFR clearance when you have no pencil or pen (notwithstanding that these were the PILOTS.... what were they going to do? Stab themselves?)