Private jet security?
May 19, 2009 | 9:59 am
#16
Join Date: Apr 2009
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It is important to note that there is a security program in place for GA called Airport Watch. Pilots (some 550,000) have been briefed along with (I assume) the ground support staff on reporting suspicious behavior. So far the results speak for themselves. The times I have flown on private aircraft, I found that this program to be far less intrusive than commercial flight. 
Since 9/11, General Aviation security systems have completely prevented terrorist attacks using private planes!!!
May 19, 2009 | 10:01 am
#17
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May 19, 2009 | 10:37 am
#18
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I agree that it's not practical to have private passengers undergo screening. What's the impact if a private plane were to fly into another World Trade Center tower? What's the impact if a private plane were hijacked? What's the impact if a private airplane were blown up mid-air? These are the sort of things that need to be taken into account.
May 19, 2009 | 12:34 pm
#19
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It is important to note that there is a security program in place for GA called Airport Watch. Pilots (some 550,000) have been briefed along with (I assume) the ground support staff on reporting suspicious behavior. So far the results speak for themselves. The times I have flown on private aircraft, I found that this program to be far less intrusive than commercial flight.
I like to call it Operation Common Sense. We learn exciting things like "To Report suspicious activity" and "Be Alert". But as others have noted we have a 100% success rate in the corporate air world at stopping ter-wists.
Ciao,
FH
May 20, 2009 | 10:05 pm
#20
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Foreign-registered airplanes go through a more intensive process, but no pax screening. And if your registration starts HZ- then you're pretty much free to do as you please anyway.
May 21, 2009 | 1:54 am
#21
Join Date: Feb 2006
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I can't remember the actual details but IIRC anything over 12500 pounds (or something like that) would need to be screened. Figure that is about an 8 seat (plus 2 pilot) a/c. Keep in mind, a pickup truck can carry and pull far more weight than the entire airplane. TSA should focus on something a lot more practical such as screening every single car and truck going into every major city.
May 21, 2009 | 7:11 am
#22
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May 21, 2009 | 8:37 am
#24
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May 21, 2009 | 8:56 am
#25
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We were ordered to land and escorted by fighter jets to an airstrip somewhere in Florida. CBP proceeded to board us and ask us every sort of questions. Namely what were 4 US citizens doing on a Guatemalan registered plane.
May 21, 2009 | 12:04 pm
#26
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 340
You do not have to go through TSA security with private jets.
I fly private jets part time and can tell you the rules are rumoured to change. We will see how the lobbying efforts go. I do have to keep tabs on the documents of people aboard and for example, before international flights, transmit that data to CBP and get permission to take off (and hit the ADIZ), and then permission to land in the US for CBP inspection and so they can run all the pax names (eAPIS I think). I don't have my flight kit in front of me, but IIRC the cut off is a minimum of an hour before planned take off.
These rules have been voluntary for the last 6 months but became mandatory today actually.
Ciao,
FH
I fly private jets part time and can tell you the rules are rumoured to change. We will see how the lobbying efforts go. I do have to keep tabs on the documents of people aboard and for example, before international flights, transmit that data to CBP and get permission to take off (and hit the ADIZ), and then permission to land in the US for CBP inspection and so they can run all the pax names (eAPIS I think). I don't have my flight kit in front of me, but IIRC the cut off is a minimum of an hour before planned take off.
These rules have been voluntary for the last 6 months but became mandatory today actually.
Ciao,
FH
May 21, 2009 | 12:44 pm
#27
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Same here.
Although, I don't mind them getting screened by an ADASP team at commercial airports because technically... they are entering the AOA of the airport which says people entering are subject to screening.
Especially because I read reports every once in a while of flight students or private plane operators flying into a major airport, parking their plane and then are discovered a few hours later walking about on the AOA were they shouldn't be.
Now if only we had larger ADASP teams.
Although, I don't mind them getting screened by an ADASP team at commercial airports because technically... they are entering the AOA of the airport which says people entering are subject to screening.
Especially because I read reports every once in a while of flight students or private plane operators flying into a major airport, parking their plane and then are discovered a few hours later walking about on the AOA were they shouldn't be.
Now if only we had larger ADASP teams.
May 21, 2009 | 3:56 pm
#28
Join Date: Apr 2005
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I think your numbers are off. For example (empty weight):
Lear 45 is 13,000+ Lbs
Challenger is 20,000+ Lbs
G5 is 48,000+ lbs
None are subject to any screening of passengers or cargo. The only restrictions are to comply with the procedures of the customs & immigration officials of the country you are trying to enter.