NPR story: After Private Pilots Complain, Customs Rethinks Intercept Policy

Van Johnston

Van Johnston

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Van Johnston
"Federal border security agents have sharply reduced intercepts of general aviation aircraft, following complaints by pilots that excessive police action at small airports is restricting the freedom to fly."

whole article here.
 
Woohoo! Rich white people are able to go deluding themselves about being free.;)
Muricah bleep yeah:)
 
rich, poor, whatever man, if it gets the nazis at air and marine to finally back the hell off, I'm all for more public spotlight of the problem.
 
As someone who went through one of the warrantless stops a few years ago (although certainly not to the level that many of these people have), I'm glad this is getting attention finally.

Of course, the question is what will actually change. It's easy to talk up a good show...
 
"An official with U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Office of Air and Marine Operations told NPR his agency has heard pilots' grievances and the program is being altered so as not to needlessly affront law-abiding pilots."

This is weasel language, 'needlessly' is undefined.
 
Imagine that, the government saying it won't do something that's illegal in the first place.
 
Shoot, why don't they just tell what the "known drug air routes" are and we'll stop flying them. :rolleyes:
 
Maybe NACO should put the Known Drug Routes on the chart so we can avoid them.
 
ClimbnSink said:
Woohoo! Rich white people are able to go deluding themselves about being free.;)
Muricah bleep yeah:)
Click to expand...
""These are, in my opinion, unconstitutional stops and searches of pilots," Zimmermann says. "It's no different than them stopping you in your car and asking to search your car for no reason, no probable cause, nothing, going anywhere. Most citizens, I don't believe, would tolerate that for very long. Why should the flying community?"

It goes on daily. It is inconvenient at best, often humiliating, sometimes expensive and hellish. Been there more than once.

It's why I prefer flying to driving.
 
ClimbnSink said:
Woohoo! Rich white people are able to go deluding themselves about being free.;)
Muricah bleep yeah:)
Click to expand...

I share your dislike for the targeting of non-whites and the poor.
 
I'm not seeing an iota of anything enforceable here -

So the advice remains:

"I stand on my fifth amendment right to remain silent. I refuse to consent to any search. If you question me I insist upon an attorney of my choice. If I am being detained state the facts upon which you base your decision to detain me. If you do not identify facts supporting your detaining me I will assume that they do not exist and that I am free to go."
 
Ted DuPuis said:
Of course, the question is what will actually change. It's easy to talk up a good show...
Click to expand...

Agree 100%. It is very easy to tell people what they want to hear while doing the exact opposite.
 
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