Britain's Pilots Call For Seven New Security Steps
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Britain's Pilots Call For Seven New Security Steps
It does seem at last that there may be some movement to resolve this shambles.The details below are from the press and media public view section of
http://www.balpa.org.uk where further detail can be found on the development.
Not enough? Far too much? About time? What are your views .
MR120
Note to Danny I feel this is enough of a new development to be a new thread in its own right however please combine if you feel its more valid elsewhere.
NEWS from BALPA
British Airline Pilots’ Association
Monday 18th September 2006
BRITAIN’S PILOTS CALL FOR SEVEN NEW SECURITY STEPS
Britain’s pilots, unhappy at many aspects of the current security regime at airports and on aircraft, have written to Transport Minister Douglas Alexander urging him to make some major changes.
‘These changes are desperately needed to allow pilots to more easily undertake their critical safety role’ says Jim McAuslan, General Secretary of the British Airline Pilots’ Association. ‘Iif this is not done I can see UK aviation grinding to a halt’
BALPA, which has over 9,000 of Britain’s airline pilots in membership, wants the recommendations from pilots to be taken much more seriously.
In the letter to Douglas Alexander BALPA Chairman Captain Mervyn Granshaw writes: ‘We operate in a unique environment and have long been regarded and respected as the eyes and ears of the industry and with whom co-operation has proven repeatedly to be a winning formula.
‘But it doesn’t feel that way and, as a group of professionals, we find ourselves being seen as part of the problem and not part of the cure.’
The letter expresses frustration that problems at national level are worsened by different interpretations of security measures by local airport security staff. ‘So the daily routine of a professional pilot becomes frustrating and we are distracted away from our primary safety role as we navigate a regime that frankly gives security a bad name.’
‘Right now BALPA wants to agree a list of items that pilots can carry onto their aircraft which they need to do their job and which are being removed from them as they pass through security. Flying licences, log books, laptops and even contact lens cleaner have been taken from them and in some instances lost.’
Reflecting on the recent developments and looking slightly further ahead, BALPA also wishes to address the following six issues:
• Develop a central international biometric security pass system for all pilots so that pilots can be identified and travel through airports more easily.
• Speed up passenger profiling and new technology such as body scanners, semi-automatic x-ray machines and bottle scanners for essential medicine, and require all airport operators to have a dedicated fast track channel for pilots.
• Insist on the application of a consistent security regime getting rid of anomalies between airports.
• Require all airport operators to establish an operational task group so that employee representatives can meet security directors face to face and iron out problems.
• Review the standards of recruitment and training of security staff. Give them decent conditions and more power to exercise discretion.
• Accelerate the fitment of hardened cockpit doors for cargo aircraft. Cargo aircraft often carry non-security-cleared personnel. Both types of aircraft can be weapons of mass destruction. In addition, freight profiling to determine which cargo needs particularly careful screening.
Finally BALPA urges the Government to help more with the cost of these measures. Too much of the cost of security is borne by the industry.
Says Captain Mervyn Granshaw, Chairman of BALPA: ‘We want to work with the Government but too many pilots feel that the system is conspiring to make their jobs more difficult rather than improving security.
‘Some of the measures we are calling for assist and enhance the security of passengers directly. Others assist us, as the pilots, to do our job and not be burdened by unnecessary and often inconsistent applications. This is not about special pleading; it is about recognising that we are in a different position. And of course, if we cannot do our jobs properly, that puts passengers at risk too.
http://www.balpa.org.uk where further detail can be found on the development.
Not enough? Far too much? About time? What are your views .
MR120
Note to Danny I feel this is enough of a new development to be a new thread in its own right however please combine if you feel its more valid elsewhere.
NEWS from BALPA
British Airline Pilots’ Association
Monday 18th September 2006
BRITAIN’S PILOTS CALL FOR SEVEN NEW SECURITY STEPS
Britain’s pilots, unhappy at many aspects of the current security regime at airports and on aircraft, have written to Transport Minister Douglas Alexander urging him to make some major changes.
‘These changes are desperately needed to allow pilots to more easily undertake their critical safety role’ says Jim McAuslan, General Secretary of the British Airline Pilots’ Association. ‘Iif this is not done I can see UK aviation grinding to a halt’
BALPA, which has over 9,000 of Britain’s airline pilots in membership, wants the recommendations from pilots to be taken much more seriously.
In the letter to Douglas Alexander BALPA Chairman Captain Mervyn Granshaw writes: ‘We operate in a unique environment and have long been regarded and respected as the eyes and ears of the industry and with whom co-operation has proven repeatedly to be a winning formula.
‘But it doesn’t feel that way and, as a group of professionals, we find ourselves being seen as part of the problem and not part of the cure.’
The letter expresses frustration that problems at national level are worsened by different interpretations of security measures by local airport security staff. ‘So the daily routine of a professional pilot becomes frustrating and we are distracted away from our primary safety role as we navigate a regime that frankly gives security a bad name.’
‘Right now BALPA wants to agree a list of items that pilots can carry onto their aircraft which they need to do their job and which are being removed from them as they pass through security. Flying licences, log books, laptops and even contact lens cleaner have been taken from them and in some instances lost.’
Reflecting on the recent developments and looking slightly further ahead, BALPA also wishes to address the following six issues:
• Develop a central international biometric security pass system for all pilots so that pilots can be identified and travel through airports more easily.
• Speed up passenger profiling and new technology such as body scanners, semi-automatic x-ray machines and bottle scanners for essential medicine, and require all airport operators to have a dedicated fast track channel for pilots.
• Insist on the application of a consistent security regime getting rid of anomalies between airports.
• Require all airport operators to establish an operational task group so that employee representatives can meet security directors face to face and iron out problems.
• Review the standards of recruitment and training of security staff. Give them decent conditions and more power to exercise discretion.
• Accelerate the fitment of hardened cockpit doors for cargo aircraft. Cargo aircraft often carry non-security-cleared personnel. Both types of aircraft can be weapons of mass destruction. In addition, freight profiling to determine which cargo needs particularly careful screening.
Finally BALPA urges the Government to help more with the cost of these measures. Too much of the cost of security is borne by the industry.
Says Captain Mervyn Granshaw, Chairman of BALPA: ‘We want to work with the Government but too many pilots feel that the system is conspiring to make their jobs more difficult rather than improving security.
‘Some of the measures we are calling for assist and enhance the security of passengers directly. Others assist us, as the pilots, to do our job and not be burdened by unnecessary and often inconsistent applications. This is not about special pleading; it is about recognising that we are in a different position. And of course, if we cannot do our jobs properly, that puts passengers at risk too.
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BALPA want to stick to 'pay and allowances'. The security industry has thousands of well meaning experts and the government far to many committees pontificating about these very subjects. As we all know in this industry security costs and the payback is questionable. If cargo is carrying all sorts of people why does the captain not insist that they are screened as is their baggage.
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HZ123
Do you mean that, in your opinion, BALPA should stick to pay and allowances? If so, I think most of its members would disagree with you: this is precisely the sort of intelligent, well-informed contribution to a debate we should expect from a Pilots' Association, not just a union.
I'm not sure either that the payback from security is questionable - do you mean we shouldn't bother with it at all?
Finally, just because non-crew on cargo aircraft do not have weapons doesn't mean that they cannot take over the aircraft; hence the need for a lockable flight deck door.
Do you mean that, in your opinion, BALPA should stick to pay and allowances? If so, I think most of its members would disagree with you: this is precisely the sort of intelligent, well-informed contribution to a debate we should expect from a Pilots' Association, not just a union.
I'm not sure either that the payback from security is questionable - do you mean we shouldn't bother with it at all?
Finally, just because non-crew on cargo aircraft do not have weapons doesn't mean that they cannot take over the aircraft; hence the need for a lockable flight deck door.
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Hmm..... BALPA advising others on airport security?
Why not let the security managers advise BALPA members on how to fly an aircraft?
BALPA seem to be out for one thing here, making their members' working day a bit easier. Now I'm all fot that, but let's let security experts run the security side of things, and let BALPA worry about flying.
They are experts in their own fields for a good reason. Sure there are problems at the moment, but it will settle down.
Why not let the security managers advise BALPA members on how to fly an aircraft?
BALPA seem to be out for one thing here, making their members' working day a bit easier. Now I'm all fot that, but let's let security experts run the security side of things, and let BALPA worry about flying.
They are experts in their own fields for a good reason. Sure there are problems at the moment, but it will settle down.
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I'm afraid that those of us who see this 'security' on a daily basis may beg to differ. There are glaring deficiencies in UK aviation security which are reported by BALPA members but not acted upon. Instead the authorities prefer to concentrate on cosmetic measures, like making us take our shoes off before we go to work or revoking our airside passes if we incorrectly filed a VAT return 20 years ago. Meanwhile the lillywhite terror suspects continue to work airside at our airports.
So, HZ123 and QFIhawkman, let me ask you this ...
Are you saying that if your next door neighbour decided to take it upon himself to engage in activities that would put a considerable dent in your, or any other person's quality of life, that you would be okay with that? That is what you are saying in response to BALPA's letter to the Minister.
Pilots are stakeholders in every aspect of the business, especially when it comes to security. They jump through many hoops to obtain a security pass which permits them to access their workplace, yet on the way to said workplace, they are treated like little more than suspects in a crime they have never committed. They understand the importance of an effective security system, but they certainly don't see the present one as very effective. Window dressing would be a more accurate assessment.
Good on you BALPA. Every other pilot union and association should copy your letter and send it to the responsible regulators in their country.
Are you saying that if your next door neighbour decided to take it upon himself to engage in activities that would put a considerable dent in your, or any other person's quality of life, that you would be okay with that? That is what you are saying in response to BALPA's letter to the Minister.
Pilots are stakeholders in every aspect of the business, especially when it comes to security. They jump through many hoops to obtain a security pass which permits them to access their workplace, yet on the way to said workplace, they are treated like little more than suspects in a crime they have never committed. They understand the importance of an effective security system, but they certainly don't see the present one as very effective. Window dressing would be a more accurate assessment.
Good on you BALPA. Every other pilot union and association should copy your letter and send it to the responsible regulators in their country.
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So BALPA wish to have the pilots treated differently to everyone else when going to work....lets make them feel even more important.....what about the staff that have to go through the security joke 4 or 5 times every day? Should concentrate security where it really maters, one sensible rule for all staff
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QFIhawkman - because they are getting it WRONG! If we were burying aircraft into hills all the time and the security guys had a fix - then we should listen to them. Blind faith in the "security experts" will not help here. Intelligent security measures will. That's what is required and what BALPA are calling for, simple as that.
Warning Toxic!
Disgusted of Tunbridge
Disgusted of Tunbridge
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The current security procedures desperately need overhauling and replanning. To confiscate my 3 sticks of Orbit chewing gum and nail clippers, ban pilots from taking contact lens fluid and toothpaste with them, when they are going to be controlling an aeroplane full of people, and up to 150 tons of jet fuel at 600 mph is a major misdirection of security resources. Target security where it's needed, but it is not needed there- making a pilot remove his shoes and belt and undo his trousers achieves nothing apart from allowing the security people to publicly demonstrate that nobody is immune from their 'control'.
I concede there may be problems with foreign recruited cabin staff who don't go through the same Disclosure checks and whose backgrounds may not be fully appreciated. I'm afraid for airport or airline staff, without a long history and full knowledge of their background, such as you get with Engineers with long service, I don't see how security can be significantly relaxed.
I concede there may be problems with foreign recruited cabin staff who don't go through the same Disclosure checks and whose backgrounds may not be fully appreciated. I'm afraid for airport or airline staff, without a long history and full knowledge of their background, such as you get with Engineers with long service, I don't see how security can be significantly relaxed.
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Until such time when everyone else going to work is intending to take control of an aircraft then yes, pilots should be treated differently.
Which completely misses the point that pilots are but two to four individuals who will have access to the aircraft and who could also put the safety of that aircraft in jeopardy in many ways other than flying it into the ground. Unfortunately, not all of those individuals are presently being screened to the level that most pilots would like. Instead, the system focusses on dressing windows for the paying pax.
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Ahh the lunatics are taking over the asylum.. Your statement is so crass
"Until such time when everyone else going to work is intending to take control of an aircraft then yes, pilots should be treated differently".
You are a pilot simply that, you are no less important in the chain of things than anyone else, from the cleaners, to ATC, to the Engineers that ensure the thing gets you there safely.... These people have to put up with security checks many, many more times a day just to try and function, you if you are on long haul have to suffer it what? twice a day?........
"I am a Pilot let me" through does not do anything to enhance safety, it simply puts holes in it... you can never make anywhere 100% fool proof, but have a thought to the rest of the long suffering people involved, including the likes of the security who having had this system forced upon them are just trying to do the best they can..... Sometimes some of the comments the likes of that beggar belief....................... who next? after all you have already started the ball rolling "I am an Engineer let me through", "I am a Cleaner let me through"........... Perhaps the next Bomb Happy Chappy should Buy an Ex Uniform off Ebay and walk through whilst making it clear he is a Pilot?
I can see many a Glaring faults where I work, you do not need to even get airborne to make a big dent in the 9 o'clock news, and ways you could cause more death and destruction involving Aircraft, none of which I intend too discuss
I totally agree with the first post on here, The only thing I can say though is whilst a central international biometric security pass system may sound a good idea, nothing is forger proof and once that has been cracked and it will........ you now have a system that works in their favour, not yours....
Also, you may be able to guarantee the safety and checks on such cards being issued in the UK, Europe and the USA etc, but what of some of the third world countries where you might be able to get one for a wad of cash? or are you then going to have a 2 tier system? that then negates one of the advantages of having it.
A similar thing is the National ID Card.. I carried an ID card in the Military, but the moment a single card is forged the whole misthought system collapses, instead of protecting us it protects the people you are seeking.
On that subject the London Underground Bombers would also of been elligable for a National ID so that sort of just makes the point, that it can be used to protect both sides of the fence.
"Until such time when everyone else going to work is intending to take control of an aircraft then yes, pilots should be treated differently".
You are a pilot simply that, you are no less important in the chain of things than anyone else, from the cleaners, to ATC, to the Engineers that ensure the thing gets you there safely.... These people have to put up with security checks many, many more times a day just to try and function, you if you are on long haul have to suffer it what? twice a day?........
"I am a Pilot let me" through does not do anything to enhance safety, it simply puts holes in it... you can never make anywhere 100% fool proof, but have a thought to the rest of the long suffering people involved, including the likes of the security who having had this system forced upon them are just trying to do the best they can..... Sometimes some of the comments the likes of that beggar belief....................... who next? after all you have already started the ball rolling "I am an Engineer let me through", "I am a Cleaner let me through"........... Perhaps the next Bomb Happy Chappy should Buy an Ex Uniform off Ebay and walk through whilst making it clear he is a Pilot?
I can see many a Glaring faults where I work, you do not need to even get airborne to make a big dent in the 9 o'clock news, and ways you could cause more death and destruction involving Aircraft, none of which I intend too discuss
I totally agree with the first post on here, The only thing I can say though is whilst a central international biometric security pass system may sound a good idea, nothing is forger proof and once that has been cracked and it will........ you now have a system that works in their favour, not yours....
Also, you may be able to guarantee the safety and checks on such cards being issued in the UK, Europe and the USA etc, but what of some of the third world countries where you might be able to get one for a wad of cash? or are you then going to have a 2 tier system? that then negates one of the advantages of having it.
A similar thing is the National ID Card.. I carried an ID card in the Military, but the moment a single card is forged the whole misthought system collapses, instead of protecting us it protects the people you are seeking.
On that subject the London Underground Bombers would also of been elligable for a National ID so that sort of just makes the point, that it can be used to protect both sides of the fence.
Last edited by NutLoose; 19th Sep 2006 at 20:42.
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Well done BALPA. Every time I have to take off my shoes on the way to the jet I just think how bl**dy stupid this particular measure is. What are they looking for? Something that'll help me force my way into the cockpit of the 767 and take control? I've asked the security folks what it is exactly they're looking for and they just don't know. It's done "because the DfT says we have to" said the bloke ignoring the picture of my dangerous footware.
Aaaaaggggghhhhh! Aren't we supposed to be applying our collective intelligence to this. What happened to the eminently sensible idea of profiling? Put the money, intelligence and manpower where it could make a real contribution to security... not paying poor souls to watch my big toe sticking through the end of my sock!
Aaaaaggggghhhhh! Aren't we supposed to be applying our collective intelligence to this. What happened to the eminently sensible idea of profiling? Put the money, intelligence and manpower where it could make a real contribution to security... not paying poor souls to watch my big toe sticking through the end of my sock!
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NutLoose - you do have a point that others have to go through security, what you miss is that we have different jobs that mean we are different risks. A cleaner could plant a bomb - so make sure they don't have one. A pilot DOESN'T NEED a bomb to cause mass distruction - only themselves. If you take away explosive toothpaste from a guy posing as a pilot, but let him continue, then you've still let him through and he will still do the damage. The key thing is not to let the person though in the first place.
You are right that ID's can be faked, and I am sure they will be and are, it still doesn't make sense to take away chewing gum and EMPTY bottles of water. Sure we need to go through security, but we need to have some intelligent measures. If you know who I am and you are happy for me to lock myself in a flight deck, it is meaningless to search me for fluids. If you are not happy for me to lock myself into a flight deck, stop me from flying and sort it out. Same with cabin crew, cleaners, security checkers, etc etc. I'd love to see you fake a fingerprint.
You are right that ID's can be faked, and I am sure they will be and are, it still doesn't make sense to take away chewing gum and EMPTY bottles of water. Sure we need to go through security, but we need to have some intelligent measures. If you know who I am and you are happy for me to lock myself in a flight deck, it is meaningless to search me for fluids. If you are not happy for me to lock myself into a flight deck, stop me from flying and sort it out. Same with cabin crew, cleaners, security checkers, etc etc. I'd love to see you fake a fingerprint.
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As far as removing my shoes at security is concerned, I simply reflect that this particular 'quirk' came in after that nasty Mr Reid (the shoe bomber) tried to let one off over the ogsplosh. I imagine these two factors are related!
So every day, as I hand my shoes over to be scanned, I just thank my lucky stars, he didn't hide the exposive in his underpants!
Or even, up where the sun don't shine!
So every day, as I hand my shoes over to be scanned, I just thank my lucky stars, he didn't hide the exposive in his underpants!
Or even, up where the sun don't shine!
I am obviously not the one with a nut loose. When did I, or anyone else for that matter say, "I am a pilot let me through". All we are asking for is some sense which is obviously not common.
Biometric IDs will be very hard to fake and they're not just done with fingerprints, there's an eyeprint as well. How you insert some elses eyeball into your head is beyond me. It's nothing but a fantasy from a Bond film. As for the rest of your rant, Ornithopter said enough.
Biometric IDs will be very hard to fake and they're not just done with fingerprints, there's an eyeprint as well. How you insert some elses eyeball into your head is beyond me. It's nothing but a fantasy from a Bond film. As for the rest of your rant, Ornithopter said enough.
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Perhaps the next Bomb Happy Chappy should Buy an Ex Uniform off Ebay and walk through whilst making it clear he is a Pilot?
It works for the cops... People like NitWiT and nutloose really depress me. Does that make me even more dangerous? ( I also have contact lenses ooohhhh)