Originally Posted by
Global_Hi_Flyer
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:
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?)
Point taken, but I thought a good chunk of GA started avoiding the DC area after all this started anyway, and for this reason. I don't remember the last time a private GA aircraft flew to/from DCA because of the FAM requirement, and there are plenty of airports in suburban VA and MD which don't have these restrictions.
If the TSA tried to implement this as a system-wide program, you can bet there would be plenty of screaming.
I am surprised at the Meigs incident - perhaps it was close to 9/11 and pilots deferred more to the TSA, but why did they allow their stuff to be taken away from use on their own aircraft? Who established the TSA's authority to screen GA pilots/passengers at Meigs?