The Truth is Dangerous.. FFDO goes public
12-23-2010, 03:57 PM
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The Truth is Dangerous.. FFDO goes public
12-23-2010, 04:04 PM
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12-23-2010, 07:12 PM
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The Truth is Dangerous
Sacramento-area pilot punished for YouTube video
George Warren Last updated 14 hrs ago Posted: 12/22/2010 Comments (97) Recommend (123)PrintEmail
SACRAMENTO, CA - An airline pilot is being disciplined by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for posting video on YouTube pointing out what he believes are serious flaws in airport security.
Update: Whistleblowing pilot explains why he did it
The 50-year-old pilot, who lives outside Sacramento, asked that neither he nor his airline be identified. He has worked for the airline for more than a decade and was deputized by the TSA to carry a gun in the cockpit.
He is also a helicopter test pilot in the Army Reserve and flew missions for the United Nations in Macedonia.
Three days after he posted a series of six video clips recorded with a cell phone camera at San Francisco International Airport, four federal air marshals and two sheriff's deputies arrived at his house to confiscate his federally-issued firearm. The pilot recorded that event as well and provided all the video to News10.
At the same time as the federal marshals took the pilot's gun, a deputy sheriff asked him to surrender his state-issued permit to carry a concealed weapon.
A follow-up letter from the sheriff's department said the CCW permit would be reevaluated following the outcome of the federal investigation.
The YouTube videos, posted Nov. 28, show what the pilot calls the irony of flight crews being forced to go through TSA screening while ground crew who service the aircraft are able to access secure areas simply by swiping a card.
"As you can see, airport security is kind of a farce. It's only smoke and mirrors so you people believe there is actually something going on here," the pilot narrates.
Video shot in the cockpit shows a medieval-looking rescue ax available on the flight deck after the pilots have gone through the metal detectors. "I would say a two-foot crash ax looks a lot more formidable than a box cutter," the pilot remarked.
A letter from the TSA dated Dec. 6 informed the pilot that "an administrative review into your deputation status as a Federal Flight Deck Officer has been initiated."
According to the letter, the review was directly related to the discovery by TSA staff of the YouTube videos. "The content and subject of these videos may have violated regulations concerning disclosure of sensitive security information," the letter said.
The pilot's attorney, Don Werno of Santa Ana, said he believed the federal government sent six people to the house to send a message.
"And the message was you've angered us by telling the truth and by showing America that there are major security problems despite the fact that we've spent billions of dollars allegedly to improve airline safety," Werno said.
The pilot said he is not in trouble with his airline, but a supervisor asked him to remove public access to the YouTube videos.
He does, however, face potential civil penalties from the TSA. He said he would likely go public when it becomes clear what the government plans to do with him.
By George Warren, [email protected]
Sacramento-area pilot punished for YouTube video | News10.net | Sacramento, California | News
George Warren Last updated 14 hrs ago Posted: 12/22/2010 Comments (97) Recommend (123)PrintEmail
SACRAMENTO, CA - An airline pilot is being disciplined by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for posting video on YouTube pointing out what he believes are serious flaws in airport security.
Update: Whistleblowing pilot explains why he did it
The 50-year-old pilot, who lives outside Sacramento, asked that neither he nor his airline be identified. He has worked for the airline for more than a decade and was deputized by the TSA to carry a gun in the cockpit.
He is also a helicopter test pilot in the Army Reserve and flew missions for the United Nations in Macedonia.
Three days after he posted a series of six video clips recorded with a cell phone camera at San Francisco International Airport, four federal air marshals and two sheriff's deputies arrived at his house to confiscate his federally-issued firearm. The pilot recorded that event as well and provided all the video to News10.
At the same time as the federal marshals took the pilot's gun, a deputy sheriff asked him to surrender his state-issued permit to carry a concealed weapon.
A follow-up letter from the sheriff's department said the CCW permit would be reevaluated following the outcome of the federal investigation.
The YouTube videos, posted Nov. 28, show what the pilot calls the irony of flight crews being forced to go through TSA screening while ground crew who service the aircraft are able to access secure areas simply by swiping a card.
"As you can see, airport security is kind of a farce. It's only smoke and mirrors so you people believe there is actually something going on here," the pilot narrates.
Video shot in the cockpit shows a medieval-looking rescue ax available on the flight deck after the pilots have gone through the metal detectors. "I would say a two-foot crash ax looks a lot more formidable than a box cutter," the pilot remarked.
A letter from the TSA dated Dec. 6 informed the pilot that "an administrative review into your deputation status as a Federal Flight Deck Officer has been initiated."
According to the letter, the review was directly related to the discovery by TSA staff of the YouTube videos. "The content and subject of these videos may have violated regulations concerning disclosure of sensitive security information," the letter said.
The pilot's attorney, Don Werno of Santa Ana, said he believed the federal government sent six people to the house to send a message.
"And the message was you've angered us by telling the truth and by showing America that there are major security problems despite the fact that we've spent billions of dollars allegedly to improve airline safety," Werno said.
The pilot said he is not in trouble with his airline, but a supervisor asked him to remove public access to the YouTube videos.
He does, however, face potential civil penalties from the TSA. He said he would likely go public when it becomes clear what the government plans to do with him.
By George Warren, [email protected]
Sacramento-area pilot punished for YouTube video | News10.net | Sacramento, California | News
12-23-2010, 09:44 PM
#4
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TSA pays home visit to FFDO who posted video
For whatever its wroth, this is the lead article on Drudge right now:
Sacramento-area pilot punished for YouTube video | News10.net | Sacramento, California | News
SACRAMENTO, CA - An airline pilot is being disciplined by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for posting video on YouTube pointing out what he believes are serious flaws in airport security....
The YouTube videos, posted Nov. 28, show what the pilot calls the irony of flight crews being forced to go through TSA screening while ground crew who service the aircraft are able to access secure areas simply by swiping a card....
Three days after he posted a series of six video clips recorded with a cell phone camera at San Francisco International Airport, four federal air marshals and two sheriff's deputies arrived at his house to confiscate his federally-issued firearm. The pilot recorded that event as well and provided all the video to News10. At the same time as the federal marshals took the pilot's gun, a deputy sheriff asked him to surrender his state-issued permit to carry a concealed weapon.
Sacramento-area pilot punished for YouTube video | News10.net | Sacramento, California | News
SACRAMENTO, CA - An airline pilot is being disciplined by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for posting video on YouTube pointing out what he believes are serious flaws in airport security....
The YouTube videos, posted Nov. 28, show what the pilot calls the irony of flight crews being forced to go through TSA screening while ground crew who service the aircraft are able to access secure areas simply by swiping a card....
Three days after he posted a series of six video clips recorded with a cell phone camera at San Francisco International Airport, four federal air marshals and two sheriff's deputies arrived at his house to confiscate his federally-issued firearm. The pilot recorded that event as well and provided all the video to News10. At the same time as the federal marshals took the pilot's gun, a deputy sheriff asked him to surrender his state-issued permit to carry a concealed weapon.
12-24-2010, 04:03 AM
#6
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Any protection for this guy under the whistle blower act ?
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/RL33918.pdf
Maybe the flaws this guy brought to light will be fixed.
Cpt.J.F.Jimenez
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/RL33918.pdf
Maybe the flaws this guy brought to light will be fixed.
Cpt.J.F.Jimenez
12-24-2010, 04:22 AM
#7
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Any protection for this guy under the whistle blower act ?
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/RL33918.pdf
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/RL33918.pdf
My guess is the TSA/Federal Government will do what they can to make an example out of this guy. You don't send 4 federal marshals to pick up the guy without having the soul intent of trying to send a message.
I think this pilot may have been out of line here, hate to say it. Not trying to defend the TSA as being a competent agency here, but at the end of the day the Federal Government had entrusted this guy with a great responsibility.
Personally I think the TSA is a bloated, ineffectual agency that does nothing more than react to a threat after it has occurred. Not a security professional here, but in my opinion a proactive approach is the ONLY method of effective security enforcement.
Every pilot flying at the 121 level is privy to certain security directives and that responsibility overrides a desire to be a whistle blower. All this guy did was highlight things everybody knew already. If this guy had observed an illicit, illegal activity occurring at the hands of a TSA agent, then he may a leg to stand on in court. Bottom line no illicit, illegal activity occurred, and all that he did expose was a few films of SFO's "secured" areas.
All in all, I don't think this was the smartest thing to do. I see his intent to expose the many pitfalls of the agency, but this was not a healthy or effective way to go about it. The story will live through it's 15 minutes and then his legal woes will strain his career, his finances, and overall his life for many, many years to come if the government chooses to take it that far.
Last edited by DeadHead; 12-24-2010 at 04:38 AM.
12-24-2010, 07:28 AM
#8
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If anyone can make things stick for this pilot, these are the people to call:
Katz, Marshall & Banks: A Whistleblower, Discrimination and Sexual Harassment Law Firm in Washington, DC
Katz, Marshall & Banks: A Whistleblower, Discrimination and Sexual Harassment Law Firm in Washington, DC
12-24-2010, 07:32 AM
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12-26-2010, 12:49 PM
#10
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Whistleblowing will probably only stand up to the test when the people being reported are in clear violation of some published law, regulation, duty, or standard.
Just because you don't like the way the TSA operates, doesn't mean there is grounds for whistle-blowing. You would have to show that they are violating their own procedures or executive directives on a wholesale basis and covering it up (the occasional isolated incident is normal for any organization, ex drunk airline pilots)
Due to the nature of their duties there can be no strict, formal performance criteria such as "prevent all transportation terrorist acts". Simply not practical, kind of like requiring the military to win all engagements, battles, and wars within 60 days or be court-martialed.
Not saying I think the TSA has their poop in one sock...
Just because you don't like the way the TSA operates, doesn't mean there is grounds for whistle-blowing. You would have to show that they are violating their own procedures or executive directives on a wholesale basis and covering it up (the occasional isolated incident is normal for any organization, ex drunk airline pilots)
Due to the nature of their duties there can be no strict, formal performance criteria such as "prevent all transportation terrorist acts". Simply not practical, kind of like requiring the military to win all engagements, battles, and wars within 60 days or be court-martialed.
Not saying I think the TSA has their poop in one sock...
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