weasil
27th Jun 2004, 13:16
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On February 15 the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued a policy directive entitled "Enforcement Sanction Guidance Policy" which provided guidance for imposing civil penalties of up to $10,000 for certain specific security violations at screening checkpoints, on Air Operations Areas (AOA), within Secure Identification Display Areas (SIDA), or at any time while entering or within a secured area. A regulation issued in 2003 by the Transportation Security Administration, 49 C.F.R. § 1540.113, requires pilots to allow inspection of their pilot and medical licenses by TSA, but the regulation does not specify which TSA personnel are so authorized to inspect licenses, what the procedure for the inspection is, what kind of training TSA personnel have to accomplish in advance of performing this function, or any other specifics.
ALPA's Legal Department conferred with TSA HQ in an attempt to clarify which individuals within TSA had inspection authority, what training those individuals received and information about the agency's procedures for inspection of pilot licenses. As a result of those conferences, TSA studied the issue and in June 2004, advised ALPA that public release of detailed information about its internal authorizations and the procedures associated with inspection of pilot credentials is not in the national interest at this time.
Complicating this issue for pilots is the fact that one of the enumerated violations specified in the TSA's recently released Sanction Guidance Table is: "Failure to allow inspection of airman certificate, authorization, FAA license (49 C.F.R. § 1540.113)." Violation of this regulation exposes violators to a fine of $1,000 to $3,000.
Because pilots are issued one or more SIDA badges, we do not expect that TSA will ask to examine airline pilot credentials; however, such a request may be made.
RECOMMENDATION: In light of this development, ALPA encourages its membership to comply with the request of any duly authorized TSA representative, to include TSA checkpoint screening personnel, to provide any of the above listed forms of identification. Should you encounter any problems resulting from TSA inspection of your credentials, please inform your MEC Security Chairman/Coordinator.
Regrettably, aviation remains a primary target of terrorist organizations. Thank you for your continued efforts in ensuring the security of U.S. and Canadian airline operations.
On February 15 the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued a policy directive entitled "Enforcement Sanction Guidance Policy" which provided guidance for imposing civil penalties of up to $10,000 for certain specific security violations at screening checkpoints, on Air Operations Areas (AOA), within Secure Identification Display Areas (SIDA), or at any time while entering or within a secured area. A regulation issued in 2003 by the Transportation Security Administration, 49 C.F.R. § 1540.113, requires pilots to allow inspection of their pilot and medical licenses by TSA, but the regulation does not specify which TSA personnel are so authorized to inspect licenses, what the procedure for the inspection is, what kind of training TSA personnel have to accomplish in advance of performing this function, or any other specifics.
ALPA's Legal Department conferred with TSA HQ in an attempt to clarify which individuals within TSA had inspection authority, what training those individuals received and information about the agency's procedures for inspection of pilot licenses. As a result of those conferences, TSA studied the issue and in June 2004, advised ALPA that public release of detailed information about its internal authorizations and the procedures associated with inspection of pilot credentials is not in the national interest at this time.
Complicating this issue for pilots is the fact that one of the enumerated violations specified in the TSA's recently released Sanction Guidance Table is: "Failure to allow inspection of airman certificate, authorization, FAA license (49 C.F.R. § 1540.113)." Violation of this regulation exposes violators to a fine of $1,000 to $3,000.
Because pilots are issued one or more SIDA badges, we do not expect that TSA will ask to examine airline pilot credentials; however, such a request may be made.
RECOMMENDATION: In light of this development, ALPA encourages its membership to comply with the request of any duly authorized TSA representative, to include TSA checkpoint screening personnel, to provide any of the above listed forms of identification. Should you encounter any problems resulting from TSA inspection of your credentials, please inform your MEC Security Chairman/Coordinator.
Regrettably, aviation remains a primary target of terrorist organizations. Thank you for your continued efforts in ensuring the security of U.S. and Canadian airline operations.