TSA badge WTF?

Holocene

Holocene

Well-Known Member
They wouldn't let me on the ramp at SYR because I didn't have some stupid badge. Never mind the fact that I'm a certificated pilot, and I just gave the women $250 for my annual AC checkout (plus practice IFR work). Though, I understand understand it's not her call.

What really enrages me is that fact the I'll apparently need a different badge for each airport I fly into. WTF is this crap? And of course I'm sure this will all be at my expense.
 
I thought you were talking about the shiny gold badges that TSA agents get to wear at airports. :whatever:
 
Holocene said:
They wouldn't let me on the ramp at SYR because I didn't have some stupid badge. Never mind the fact that I'm a certificated pilot, and I just gave the women $250 for my annual AC checkout (plus practice IFR work).

What really enrages me is that fact the I'll apparently need a different badge for each airport I fly into! WTF is this crap? And of course I'm sure this will all be at my expense.
Click to expand...

I feel your pain. You'd think a pilot's license and an appropriate government id would work just fine in these situations. Soon we're going to need a super-badge to certify the validity of an existing badge. Where will it end?
 
Without knowing the full story BWI comes instantly to mind.
I flew in their every day for months. In an airplane. In the ADIZ. But I can't walk from the aircraft into Signature? Total BS. I used to call for an escort in while taxiing but since I was in a plane that hauled freight I might as well have had leprosy. I used to just walk in anyways. I used to get hassled by airport security but I gave them an option. I could urinate/defecate on the ramp or I could walk inside and do it...After a coupe times I'd just get a wave from them driving by.
Signature is awesome, btw...
 
BajtheJino said:
Without knowing the full story BWI comes instantly to mind.
I flew in their every day for months. In an airplane. In the ADIZ. But I can't walk from the aircraft into Signature? Total BS. I used to call for an escort in while taxiing but since I was in a plane that hauled freight I might as well have had leprosy. I used to just walk in anyways. I used to get hassled by airport security but I gave them an option. I could urinate/defecate on the ramp or I could walk inside and do it...After a coupe times I'd just get a wave from them driving by.
Signature is awesome, btw...
Click to expand...

Yup, I instructed there and when I first started it took me a while to get my SIDA badge. Nothing like having to have someone walk you out to the plane and then come meet you after you are done your lesson.
 
I'll just save money and keep getting escorted to the ramp like a child. Last time I checked, it was $60 for these badges at Griffiss. Sure you get to feel all important, but $60 for a piece of plastic?
 
Screaming_Emu said:
Yup, I instructed there and when I first started it took me a while to get my SIDA badge. Nothing like having to have someone walk you out to the plane and then come meet you after you are done your lesson.
Click to expand...

How about having to be escorted to the plane you own? I know I didn't care that much when the first announced this, but now I'm pissed. I put in my application for a badge nearly 6-weeks ago and haven't heard a thing about it.
 
Murdoughnut said:
How about having to be escorted to the plane you own? I know I didn't care that much when the first announced this, but now I'm pissed. I put in my application for a badge nearly 6-weeks ago and haven't heard a thing about it.
Click to expand...

As with all things government, call them. Every single day. If they don't get it to you in a week, visit them. Every single day. They'll get tired of hearing your voice or seeing your face.
 
Here at Riddle it's $20 for the badge. Until we get it, a CFI has to escort us on the ramp and charge us oral rate for it.
 
Yeah. It is a pain. You only need the badge for the airport that you are based at. I was talking to Rob while getting checked out in the skylane, but it seems like you cannot be escorted anymore past solo stage, which you are obviously are. The funny thing is nobody has asked to see my badge, even though I always have it.
 
pocho said:
Here at Riddle it's $20 for the badge. Until we get it, a CFI has to escort us on the ramp and charge us oral rate for it.
Click to expand...
Lovely that they charge you for it

The last time I was in DAB, I pulled up on a med flight, got out, had the Capt turn the airplane so the cab driver and I could see each other using the taxi lights, and then he threw the box over the fence. We started up the #1 engine again and blasted off to our destination. I never did see the security people or anything. Stupid FBO would not stay open for us. Jerks.

I felt like I was doing a drug run, but it was actually to save somebody's life. Go figure...
 
Its absolutely ridiculous for them to expect GA pilots to get badged at EVERY airport they want to fly to. Airline crews only have to be badged at one airport, if you pass one government background check thats good enough.
 
pocho said:
Here at Riddle it's $20 for the badge. Until we get it, a CFI has to escort us on the ramp and charge us oral rate for it.
Click to expand...

Wow, when did that happen? Glad I quit flying at Riddle this past winter. That really sucks. Either you deal with the paperwork and all associated fun, or pay a crazy high charge.
 
The greatest "security" I ever saw was at BFI in Seattle. I had a UPS badge for DFW, but I didn't have one for BFI.

I had to turn in my drivers liscense to the high school drop out watching the door. he gave me a temporary badge. The supervisor had to escort me out to my plane where I preflighted the airplane. Then when I was done, HE LEFT ME ALONE on the ramp by my plane while he retrieved my DL.

After that, I just flashed my DFW badge at the guard and marched right in like I belonged there.
 
KSCessnaDriver said:
Wow, when did that happen? Glad I quit flying at Riddle this past winter. That really sucks. Either you deal with the paperwork and all associated fun, or pay a crazy high charge.
Click to expand...

The Chief CFI sent out the email last week, effective immediately. We need signatures from the Department Chair, Director of Flight Support, Chief Flight Instructor, or Director of Aviation Safety and Security on the application. Who knows how long the wait will be once it's sent to the Airport Admin's office to process it.

According to the email, the Flight Instructors are to use this time to teach details about pre and post flight operations. :laff:
 
ChasenSFO said:
Its absolutely ridiculous for them to expect GA pilots to get badged at EVERY airport they want to fly to. Airline crews only have to be badged at one airport, if you pass one government background check thats good enough.
Click to expand...



Airline pilots I see only have their company badges not Airport badges. We still have to escort them to their planes here at IAD (If they are parked at remote parking) if needed.
 
ryanmickG said:
I hate Signature and avoid them at all cost.
Click to expand...

Signature should be the one finding out what's taking so long with our badges - since we pay out the butt to keep our plane there. It would have been nice if they would have notified us before the plan went into effect too.
 
Stone Cold said:
Lovely that they charge you for it

The last time I was in DAB, I pulled up on a med flight, got out, had the Capt turn the airplane so the cab driver and I could see each other using the taxi lights, and then he threw the box over the fence. We started up the #1 engine again and blasted off to our destination. I never did see the security people or anything. Stupid FBO would not stay open for us. Jerks.

I felt like I was doing a drug run, but it was actually to save somebody's life. Go figure...
Click to expand...

That's awesome.
 
Murdoughnut said:
Signature should be the one finding out what's taking so long with our badges - since we pay out the butt to keep our plane there. It would have been nice if they would have notified us before the plan went into effect too.
Click to expand...

I'd be willing to bet they didn't know. Everything I heard is that the TSA kinda sprung this on everyone.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top