scooter2525
Very well Member
I would think if this was a top story on the news, that might change things a little bit.
Don't rampers usually keep their jobs if they damage an aircraft?
We need to write our representatives and make them understand just how serious this is from a pilot's perspective.
I blame the Federal Government. They keep expanding TSA's authority and reach whereas they really don't know what the hell they're looking at.
What the hell does a guy that probably worked at Subway sandwich then went through a few weeks of training have doing inspecting aircraft anyway? If you don't know what a pitot tube is, you don't have any business on the ramp screwing with crap after hours.
What next, are they going to start taping holes (static ports) on the airplane to make sure the non-flying pilot is doing complete and thorough walkarounds?
No way!!
Long time ago I used to fuel for Allied Aviation at DFW and some jackass forgot to chock his fuel truck and it rolled into a loaded Saab.
He got escorted off by security gaurd.
I wouldn't be surprised. A certain TSA agent planned a sneak attack against one of our crewmembers not too long ago. He was walking around with a TSA t-shirt on with no SIDA badge and wrote up a first officer for not challenging him while in the secured area!
*sigh* just wait till they find out there's an axe in the cockpit...that'll be fun
Don't rampers usually keep their jobs if they damage an aircraft?
The following is TSA's response to their actions, posted from TSA's blog <http://www.tsa.gov/blog>. Can you believe that TSA actually wants to fine Eagle for this! Should be the other way around. Heads at TSA need to roll, now! :banghead:
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Information on the Chicago Aircraft Inspections
There have been some questions on our blog and elsewhere about the Chicago aircraft inspections.
Also, I've noticed some confusion out there, so please note that this involved a Transportation Security Inspector, (TSI) not a Transportation Security Officer. (TSO)
Here's what we posted on our website.
On August 19 a Transportation Security Inspector (TSI) was conducting a routine compliance inspection on aircraft parked on the airfield at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport (ORD). The TSI inspected nine American Eagle aircraft to look for and test, among other things, access vulnerabilities or areas were someone with ill intent could gain access to the aircraft.
Aircraft operators are required to secure each aircraft when left unattended.
The TSIs are encouraged to look for and follow through on vulnerabilities. During the inspection process at ORD the Inspector used a Total Air Temperature (TAT) probe – a probe that protrudes from the side of the aircraft that is used to measure outside air temperature – to pull himself up while investigating possible access vulnerabilities with the unattended aircraft.
The Inspector was following through on regulatory inspection activity. The Inspector was able to gain access to the interior of seven of the nine aircraft inspected, which is an apparent violation of the airline’s security program. <U><B>TSA is reviewing the inspection results and depending on the conclusion, could take action with the airline, up to and including levying of civil penalties. </B> </U>
While the inspection process is a vital layer of aviation security, it is not TSA’s intent to cause delays or potential damage to aircraft as a result of our inspections. TSA took immediate steps to re-enforce education about sensitive equipment located on the exterior of a plane.
Facts:
-TSA has 1,465 Transportation Security Inspectors at almost 150 airports that can cover all modes of transportation.
-535 in air cargo (including 85 dedicated canine teams)
-755 in aviation (or more than 700 if there’s a reason for it to be worded that way)
-175 in surface transportation modes
-TSIs undergo a 4-week basic training course that consists of security regulations overview, inspection procedures, and safety briefings. TSIs are also trained through a formal on-the-job training program and periodic formal recurrent training. Additionally, Inspectors receive local safety training at each airport when they receive their airport identification.
Bob
Eos Blog Team
I want to post on the TSA blog and just ask them why didn't they open the main door since they aren't locked but I have to stop myself. I've already said too much. I'm sure someone will be knocking on my front door tomorrow. Wait if it's the TSA they'll try and come in thru the chimney instead.
na, break your window and fine ya