H.S. & T.S.A. vs G.A. ?

[John Baker]

OK, it is obviously heading for more Homeland Security oversight of GA. The propaganda mill is definitely running at full burner toward that end.

Spin Zone rhetoric aside, how do you think it will actually impact us as it kicks in?

I'm guessing there will be full background checks, photos, and fingerprints of all active pilots. The cost to pilots would probably be into the three or four hundred dollar range should they adopt such a policy.

I don't know what they would impose on aircraft owners or operators, it's probably a good bet we wont like it though.

So what do you think?

John

 

[ScottM]

Any basis for the paranoia or just general planning for Armageddon?

 

[John Baker]

Any basis for the paranoia or just general planning for Armageddon?

I'm not all that sure it is paranoia, I was considering it a serious issue that is worthy of our discussion. I'm basing it on previous attempts of TSA to impose restrictions on some of the larger private aircraft, such as passenger manifests and such.

Then the most recent one, that made the CBS evening news about the possibility of terrorists using small GA aircraft in an attack on "The Homeland", although they admitted they have no basis for their public alert message. This is what my comment about the propaganda mill heating up, was refering to.

However, like I said, Spin Zone rhetoric aside, should TSA and Homeland Security decide they want to impose restrictions on GA, what do you think those restrictions might be?

John

 

[DaleB]

I'm going to propose to my Congresscritters that they push for legislation requiring full background checks, fingerprinting, and psychological evaluations for anyone purchasing or renting any motor vehicle over 2500# gross weight, or having a cargo area or an area that can readily be converted for cargo with more than 10 cubic feet.

I mean, it's just the safe thing to do. You never know when some crazy person is going to pack an SUV or a Town Car full of ANFO or something.

OK, maybe I won't suggest that. My intent would be to make them think about how monumentally stupid something like that would be, but knowing my luck they'd actually do it and it would pass. I don't know that there is any real limit to legislative stupidity any more.

 

[Bob Noel]

I'm going to propose to my Congresscritters that they push for legislation requiring full background checks, fingerprinting, and psychological evaluations for anyone purchasing or renting any motor vehicle over 2500# gross weight, or having a cargo area or an area that can readily be converted for cargo with more than 10 cubic feet.

I mean, it's just the safe thing to do. You never know when some crazy person is going to pack an SUV or a Town Car full of ANFO or something.

OK, maybe I won't suggest that. My intent would be to make them think about how monumentally stupid something like that would be, but knowing my luck they'd actually do it and it would pass. I don't know that there is any real limit to legislative stupidity any more.

Don't even kid about it. Some butthead will recognize that they can't do that for trucks and cars, but wouldn't it be a great idea to put in place for GA owners and pilots....

 

[dell30rb]

I had to go through this for my USCG captain's license. It was $135. Fingerprinting, background check, questioning. They even asked me the T question. Nope, not a terrorist. And I have never been investigated for conspiracy either!!

Just thought you guys would like to know. You can trust me.

 

[EdFred]

I got this today, and faxed it back with my response:

Bunch of idiots jumping on the sheep wagon.

 

[denverpilot]

I just *had* to go find out what acpi.org was after looking at that fax... now I'm ready to punch them in the throat.

 

[Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe]

FWIW
"They" apparently are looking for some "missing trucks" right now and some "potential terrorists" "some with U.S. paperwork" who are suspected of a "vehicle attack" plot. (Per some TV "news" person)