http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0704/070804c1.htm

"The government should either reopen Reagan National to general aviation--the term for private flights other than those offered by large commercial airlines--or stop granting waivers to dignitaries to fly into the airport, members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee told representatives of the Transportation Security Administration and the Federal Aviation Administration at a hearing.

"This seems to add not one iota of security to the national capital region, yet it has cost the local economy millions of dollars and, unfortunately, hundreds of hard-working people have been put out of work," said Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., chairman of the aviation subcommittee, which held the hearing."

Accusations of favoritism and cronyism at the TSA??? Shocking!

When I first read about the DCA restrictions almost three years ago, I figured the insanity would have ended long before now. Then, as now, airplanes (amazingly enough!) are capable of crashing into the White House, the Capitol, etc. without having taken off or planned to land at DCA.

It's incredible that the TSA still does not recognize the fact that airplanes are actually capable of moving significant distances without having to stop at the nearest airport every five minutes.

I predict that if there is another airplane-turned-missile attack on Washington, DC, it will be an international or long distance domestic flight headed nowhere near Washington but having a flight path within 100 miles or so.

The TSA and their apologists have done more damage to this country's average IQ than mercury could ever have hoped for.

Rep. John Mica forgot to mention he is one of many who received the clearance.

I don't think it is totally the TSA. FAA is very involved in this. The airport should be opened or totally closed no matter who is involved.

I don't thin khe forgot, he didn't want anyone to know, the truth is that anyone with a reason can get access into DCA by filing all the right paperwork, you can even fly around town when G.W. himself comes to visit. Again, please file all the right paperwork, and make your request timely, and you too can gain a waiver.

Agree with you TSAMgr, the FAA has got to take their fair share of heat for this, and so does Secret Service. The unfortunate(??) part for TSA is that even your own Federal sister and brother agencies blame you.

If you ask the FAA why DCA is still closed to GA, they say Secret Service and Homeland security/TSA are to blame, ask Secret Service, they claim FAA has responsibility for Airspace, and DHS/TSA for airport security it must be them. The only common department named in these answers is TSA. Hence, you guys get the blame again.

As usual.

I guess if you really want to fly anywhere restricted you should hitch a ride with one of the Bin Laden family. The have Card Blanche, just say you are George's friend.