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TSA Defends Record on Armed Pilots Program
By Robert B. Bluey
CNSNews.com Staff Writer
April 02, 2004
(CNSNews.com) - A day after taking a beating on Capitol Hill from members of Congress, the Transportation Security Administration struck back at critics who accused the agency of dragging its feet on its armed pilots program.
"We are very passionate about this excellent program," said Amy von Walter, a TSA spokeswoman. She defended the agency's record and pointed to recent steps taken to improve the training of applicants.
Four members of Congress gathered Thursday to introduce legislation they said would speed up the process of arming pilots and tear down the barriers that turn off pilots from ever applying.
But von Walter said the federal flight deck officer (FFDO) program recently underwent changes.
"TSA has already trained thousands of pilots who fly tens of thousands of missions," she said. "We doubled the number of FFDO classes in January 2004 and expect to complete training for the list of approved applicants by the end of the budgetary year [on] October 1."
TSA is also now accepting applications from cargo pilots and will begin training them in May, von Walter said.
At Thursday's Capitol Hill gathering, which brought together lawmakers, pilots' groups and gun-rights advocates, Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Ky.) threatened to pull funding for the program if TSA didn't improve its record of arming pilots.
"They'll get the message or they'll lose their money for the program," Bunning said. "We'll put it somewhere where it will get the job done."
Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), who along with Bunning is sponsoring the legislation, said less than 1 percent of the 40,000 pilots who signed up to participate have been trained. Wilson said Congress has already given the TSA all the authority it needs to implement the program.
"This could be done administratively by TSA," Wilson said. "All we're trying to do is really push what should already occur."
Von Walter declined to comment on the legislation, and wouldn't address Bunning's threat.
As part of a recent investigation into the program, CNSNews.com talked to a number of pilots who complained that the TSA has made the program cumbersome and discouraging.
Pilots have complained about the way federal flight deck officers must transport their firearms - in lockboxes, except inside the cockpit; TSA-administered background investigations, psychological exams and the release of personal information; and the remote location of the program's single training facility in Artesia, N.M.
Besides Bunning and Wilson, Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Conrad Burns (R-Mont.) have signed on to support the legislation. The bill, called the "Cockpit Security Technical Corrections and Improvement Act," makes a number of changes.
Not only would pilots have to be trained within 90 days, but it would also allow pilots with a military or law enforcement background to be armed immediately.
The TSA would have to open more training facilities and use private training facilities for recurrent training, according to the bill. The agency would be responsible for picking up the tab for the pilots' travel expenses.
The legislation would also end the use of lockboxes, allow pilots to carry a gun outside the cockpit and let them pass through security like other law enforcement officers. Pilots could sue the TSA if the agency violates the law.
See Earlier Story:
Senator Tells TSA: Arm Pilots or Lose Funding (April 2, 2004)
E-mail a news tip to Robert B. Bluey.
Send a Letter to the Editor about this article.
By Robert B. Bluey
CNSNews.com Staff Writer
April 02, 2004
(CNSNews.com) - A day after taking a beating on Capitol Hill from members of Congress, the Transportation Security Administration struck back at critics who accused the agency of dragging its feet on its armed pilots program.
"We are very passionate about this excellent program," said Amy von Walter, a TSA spokeswoman. She defended the agency's record and pointed to recent steps taken to improve the training of applicants.
Four members of Congress gathered Thursday to introduce legislation they said would speed up the process of arming pilots and tear down the barriers that turn off pilots from ever applying.
But von Walter said the federal flight deck officer (FFDO) program recently underwent changes.
"TSA has already trained thousands of pilots who fly tens of thousands of missions," she said. "We doubled the number of FFDO classes in January 2004 and expect to complete training for the list of approved applicants by the end of the budgetary year [on] October 1."
TSA is also now accepting applications from cargo pilots and will begin training them in May, von Walter said.
At Thursday's Capitol Hill gathering, which brought together lawmakers, pilots' groups and gun-rights advocates, Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Ky.) threatened to pull funding for the program if TSA didn't improve its record of arming pilots.
"They'll get the message or they'll lose their money for the program," Bunning said. "We'll put it somewhere where it will get the job done."
Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), who along with Bunning is sponsoring the legislation, said less than 1 percent of the 40,000 pilots who signed up to participate have been trained. Wilson said Congress has already given the TSA all the authority it needs to implement the program.
"This could be done administratively by TSA," Wilson said. "All we're trying to do is really push what should already occur."
Von Walter declined to comment on the legislation, and wouldn't address Bunning's threat.
As part of a recent investigation into the program, CNSNews.com talked to a number of pilots who complained that the TSA has made the program cumbersome and discouraging.
Pilots have complained about the way federal flight deck officers must transport their firearms - in lockboxes, except inside the cockpit; TSA-administered background investigations, psychological exams and the release of personal information; and the remote location of the program's single training facility in Artesia, N.M.
Besides Bunning and Wilson, Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Conrad Burns (R-Mont.) have signed on to support the legislation. The bill, called the "Cockpit Security Technical Corrections and Improvement Act," makes a number of changes.
Not only would pilots have to be trained within 90 days, but it would also allow pilots with a military or law enforcement background to be armed immediately.
The TSA would have to open more training facilities and use private training facilities for recurrent training, according to the bill. The agency would be responsible for picking up the tab for the pilots' travel expenses.
The legislation would also end the use of lockboxes, allow pilots to carry a gun outside the cockpit and let them pass through security like other law enforcement officers. Pilots could sue the TSA if the agency violates the law.
See Earlier Story:
Senator Tells TSA: Arm Pilots or Lose Funding (April 2, 2004)
E-mail a news tip to Robert B. Bluey.
Send a Letter to the Editor about this article.
