Originally Posted by
Lead Balloon
What is the purpose of the ASIC system?
I would argue it should serve a few purposes.
First, it's an identity card, like many workplaces have these days. Basically, a first point of "does this person belong here", quick glance kind of thing.
Second: it should be an identity verification tool (this would be where the picture and the biometrics come in). This is that newfangled "2 factor security" thing, but in the real world.
Third, it should be a confirmation of the user having passed a background check. This basically ensures that people that attempt to perform the work functions are legally allowed to perform them.
As of right now, it only really serves #1 and #3, and it's mandated for all pilots. So, it doesn't really get verified (anyone can get a card printed and laminated from the internet), and it's applied too broadly.
Originally Posted by
Traffic_Is_Er_Was
Councils and Airport owners don't decide if their airport is "security controlled"
That's unfortunate. That's the big thing in my proposal above, it would be pretty much left to the airport to decide whether to become security controlled (with the security
standard being set by the regulator, which has to be continuously met to qualify as security controlled). Obviously, this would have to be within reason - if you're a port of entry, you
would have to become security controlled - but outside of a few obvious cases like that, there's no reason for CASA to dictate those security requirements to every airport in the country. Especially when most would not warrant it even with a high bar of security.