Calif. Pilot Faces Federal Investigation for Behind-the-Scenes Airport Security Critique
- Posted on December 23, 2010 at 8:02pm by
Meredith Jessup
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A veteran commercial airline Army Reserve pilot is reportedly being disciplined by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for posting personal cell phone videos on YouTube in which he points out potential flaws in airport security. The 50-year-old pilot who lives outside Sacramento, Calif., had even been deputized by the TSA to carry a gun on his flights for cockpit security — a privilege that has since been revoked, he says.
The pilot, who has asked that his name and airline remain unidentified, says that three days after he posted a number video clips on YouTube critiquing security at San Francisco International Airport, several federal agents and two sheriff’s deputies arrived at his house to confiscate his federally issued firearm and his state-issued permit to carry a concealed weapon.
According to local ABC affiliate News 10, a follow-up letter from the sheriff‘s department said the pilot’s gun permit would be “reevaluated” pending the outcome of a federal investigation.
What is the pilot being investigated for? No one seems quite sure at this point:
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, says the federal government is simply trying to send an intimidating 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 told News 10.
Despite the TSA’s sweeping reaction, the pilot says he has not gotten in any trouble with his airline, although a supervisor advised him to remove his YouTube video’s public accessibility.
He does, however, face potential civil penalties from the TSA, News 10 says.
Meanwhile, the pilot says he did not anticipate an aggressive response from the government. “I just tried to address my concerns and voice it on YouTube,” he told News 10. “Somebody obviously has to address the issue. Really, the only way this news story got traction is because of the government’s response.”


















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Comments (114)
confederacyofdunces
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 11:58pmHave no fear, the Gestapo will work out all the kinks. just keep quiet and continue to allow your rights to be taken.
Report Post »As I grew up and lived my 48 years here in the USA I never thought that days like these could possibly happen, not here. I am angered and ashamed of what is happening in this country. My daughter is 11 and this is not what I wanted to pass along to her. we are not getting off track, were off the track in the ravine and on fire.
We need to get back to the Constitution and common sense. We need to take care of the USA and its people, not PAC’s and corporations. I can only hope the new Congress has the wisdom and fortitude to turn things around. God bless America.
Gruug
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 11:35pmWhat his video did point out is how airports ARE NOT SECURE. Doors such as the card swipe one are common in many airporst. If someone wants to get down to the aircraft to do harm, they can. The whole “passenger checkpoints” thing is just a dog and pony show to help make flyers feel safe. I will not fly commercial because I KNOW it is not safe. Add this to the fact that terrorists can enter the country via our southern boarders and I would suggest everyone be concerned.
Report Post »roostercogburn
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 11:02pmIf the new congress refuses to defund the TSA and sent big sis home, we all need to pick up the pitchforks, I have just about had about as much of this stupid stuff as I can stand, we have entire federal departments that need to be eliminated, cut, cut cut.
Report Post »This guy is exactly right, I fly alot, and can tell you that NOTHING has changed since 9-11, it could happen tomorrow, pitchforks.
silveracer44
Posted on December 24, 2010 at 4:21amWhy wait even that long?
Report Post »diesel71dan
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 10:04pmAll this security crap is a joke! It’s not just the TSA, “Homeland Security” is a joke in its entirety. It’s a power grab masked as security. As a U.S. Merchant Mariner I have watched the joke of port security. Back in the day we would drive down to the port, through the gate and straight up to the vessel. After we loaded our personal property aboard we would go park the truck in the parking lot and everything was fine. When the vessel would come back to the dock we would sometimes have wives or girlfriends drive down, we would bar-b-q or whatever. Now, in the name of “safety”, getting to work is a job in it’s self. When I pull up to the front gate at the dock I am stopped by a “security officer”. I show my ID, answer a ton of questions about who I work for, who I am contracted to, name of vessel and everything else short of my blood type. At this point I have to go park the truck in the parking lot and carry my bags, supplies and any parts I have brought down tho the vessel, a quarter mile across the dock. If I decide we should get a few more loaves of bread or gallons of milk before we leave, I get to explain what I am going to the store for to an unskilled “security officer” Just trying to go to work has become a total pain in the a$$. All the while I can still have 12 pounds of C-4 in my bag!! It’s ALL A SCAM!!
Report Post »meoilman
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 9:59pmHey, I have an idea – Let all that have a CCW onto the airplane with their weapon. That way the terrorist will not know who may or may not have a weapon. It works in states that have good CCW laws as studies show once states allow carrying concealed, crimes go down! I am all for that idea.
Report Post »krenshau
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 9:48pmThe governmen just keeps pushing and pushing. They want us to riot in the streets like the eurotrash do. What they don‘t know is that American’s prefer more behind the scene responses. No bombs or shootings, that draws too much attention and gives the goverment a reason to clamp down. American’s prefer more covert and precise activities.
Report Post »wolfagain
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 9:28pmI watched a group of Somali groomers enter an aircraft without IDs. I asked the gate agent, the ground security supervisor for that gate, why they did not have IDs. He said that only the groomer’s supervisor had to have an ID.
Report Post »randy
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 9:27pmIn this new age of America, I’d rather take my chances with a possible muslim terrorist that with the TSA. Seems the Obama administration enjoys desecrating on the constitution every single day.
Report Post »DashRipRock
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 9:21pmWhen you have a Thugacharcy
Report Post »snitches get stitches
Marylou7
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 9:34pmAmen. This administration won’t be satisfied until there is another 9/11.
Report Post »silveracer44
Posted on December 24, 2010 at 4:16amThey’ll be the ones that create it.
Report Post »LadyIzShy
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 9:10pmyou can not talk bad about a government agency.. they will punish you
Report Post »wtd
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 9:09pmSept. 1, 2010, “Secretary Napolitano Announces Expansion of ”If You See Something, Say Something“ Campaign” http://tinyurl.com/2doasem
December 23, 2010 Pilot Faces Federal Investigation for following Secretary Napolitano’s advice.
This should serve as the final straw in Napolitano’s employment. Fire her!
Report Post »DashRipRock
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 9:07pmWOW
Back in the Ussr boys Back in the USSR…….
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on December 24, 2010 at 5:05amNo…WWII Germany and the SS
Report Post »Rickfromillinois
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 9:01pmSurprise Surprise. Complain about the present government and they come after you. How long will it take before no one dares say anything against the present administration?
Report Post »mickie4
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 9:00pmWith all the searches and xrays TSA has done over manys years they have NEVER caught one terrorist.
Report Post »Sledgehammer
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 8:54pmThis message is brought to you by, Totally Screw America & Home land Surrender, where security is an illusion!
Report Post »BoilitDown
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 8:52pm“Enemies of the State” And you said it couldn’t happen in America.
Report Post »silveracer44
Posted on December 24, 2010 at 4:14amThat’s a good documentary (different than the actual movie) on youtube.
Report Post »BlueStrat
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 8:49pmThe pilot in the article is perfectly correct. I’ve worked as an avionics tech for various companies at a number of airports. Maintenance personnel typically have either a mag-stripe employee card, newer outfits an RFID-equipped card, or not much at all except knowing which peripheral access gate to walk or drive through (yes, a personal vehicle) and dressed/acting like you belong there. Direct access to the tarmac and flightline is unsecured or minimally-secured at most airports. The cards are typically only required to enter buildings.
All this TSA grope-n-scope is security theater, pure & simple. Heck, why would a terrorist bother when he could walk straight out onto a flightline with a gun & suicide vest, grab an aircraft refueling truck (they are usually either idling or have the keys always in them) and crash it into an airliner taxiing towards the runway for takeoff?
Searching pilots & flight-crew is about the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard of.
Report Post »crashnburn
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 9:37pmSpeaking truth, keep it up… My family has run an airport FBO for 3 generations. The gate on the other side of the runway is open during the day and gets you to the exact same taxi and runways that all commercial flights go on. It would take 25 seconds for a terrorist to drive a SEMI truck full of explosives to the line of 737′s waiting to take off… or about 1 min to get to the “secure” boarding area of the terminal. It’s a damn joke what they are trying to convince us of…
The choice of TSA to scare travelers into allowing mega $$$ to be spent on a false sense of security is nothing more than a slow desensitization to freedom smashing searches. If the point of blowing up a plane is to scare Americans from flying, thus hurting our economy; and that is called terrorism… Then isn’t the plan TSA has implemented also caused the same result? Just sayin’….
BRB… someone’s knocking on my door…. LOL
Report Post »jimdevy
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 8:40pmI’ve been trying to point this out forever. Why don’t I get investigated? Oh. Right. Because I haven’t publicly embarrassed a company that George Soros has shares in. My bad.
Report Post »heavyduty
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 8:35pmIf not the TSA then who? Pilots can be home grown terrorists just like the real ones. So you just can’t be to careful nowadays. Besides if the TSA doesn’t get to feel you up, it’s going to ruin their whole day. Then they would be just Bawney Fwanks. They would be so mad!!! The reason Bawney doesn’t have teeth is because he kept scraping the skin.
Report Post »MSNBCFTL
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 8:32pmProbably shouldn’t of posted in on Youtube but maybe sent it to a news station and let them do it. Then his ass would be covered and he wouldn’t of gotten any flack and they *might* of made some REAL improvements to security.
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on December 24, 2010 at 12:09amAbsolutely NO TV station in SF bay area or Sac area will EVER do such a report which will paint their own people ( City of SF, DHS and ofcourse Hussain) in a bad way .
Report Post »The security of SFO is not exclusively under the personnel control of TSA. There are no restrictions of immigration status or background checks for the employees of the SFO. Anyone who has to regularly fly in and out of this airport will tell you there are just a couple of ‘minority communities’ which basically are everywhere all over the airport proper , parking and even the car rental area.
It is GOD who is keeping this airport safe.
But the networks here will never betray their political bosses and run such reports in their news or special reports . They are too busy celebrating the repeal of DADT because it punched republicans in the face ( although it was Clinton’s policy)
troutfur
Posted on December 24, 2010 at 5:26ammaybe not a “news” tv station; maybe anonymously to the national talk show circuit via Glenn, or somebody. I totally appreciate his sentiment and info, but it seemed kind-of boneheaded to post it on youtube when nearly every A.M. radio-host would jump all over the story.
Report Post »vonryansexpress
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 8:31pmWhistle Blower protections.
Right to carry on an Aircraft has to be predicated on sound conduct but hard to see revocation here as anything other than punishement for daring to call out the Federal Authority on security breaches.
Youtube is no different than going to the Inspector General when you don’t believe that the result of going to the the Inspector General would be salutary. If he’d gone to the NYT or FOX NEWS, would he be any less of a proper Whistle Blower?
I just hope we all survive till the next election when we throw out Obama, Holder, Napolitano and begin to secure the Country with respecteble leadership again.
Let Holder and Napolitano go off together to live in sin in Syria where they’ll find the scent of their own.
Report Post »AzDebi
Posted on December 24, 2010 at 12:36am@ YOU and CRASHNBURN…you two have the RIGHT attitudes…I’m REAL tired of all the beating around the bush S*it…your posts are a breath of fresh air to me and I can only pray that others here are members of various Tea Party, Patriotic and Activist Groups so that we can all continue with our voices outside of this site and keep the momentum going…If we can’t get the Liberals to unite with the Constitutionalists…how on earth do we defeat America’s true enemy?… ISLAM… AND…I purposely DID NOT state RADICAL ISLAM…because THE SILENT MAJORITY of Mooslims REFUSE to STAND UP like true AMERICAN PATRIOTS…they too must be suspect! All COWARDS…if they CAN NOT or WILL NOT STAND UP…they do not DESERVE the LIBERTY others have FOUGHT and DIED to preserve!!!!! Now…I’m so pissed off…I think I’ll go cool off!
Report Post »5410amh
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 8:22pmI don’t see why pilots have to go thrue the groping process set forth by the tsa a couple months ago. seriously if a pilot wants to take down a plane he doesn’t need a gun or knife to do it he can just fly the plane into a building
Report Post »crashnburn
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 9:20pmNot only that… but so could any private pilot! I Fly a C185 for fun and all some terrorist POS has to do is hop in a private plane, take off and then Kamikazi the line of planes waiting to take off! I am so sick of this WHAT IF crap! Take away my freedoms and rights because something MIGHT happen.
How ’bout start profiling the damn Muslims! not ARABS, MUSLIMS! Instead of smiling at the beautiful prayers blasting over mosque PA’s; then fingering up the one armed HERO army Vet… why don‘t they start FOLLOWING the ****** that ATTEND THE DAMN MOSQUE’S THAT SAY AMERICA IS EVIL AND NEEDS TO BE DESTROYED!!!
The silence of non-violent Muslims is deafening! I know you all may risk having your tongue, nose, or ears cut off for questioning your all knowing clerics… but it’s getting to the point of either them or us!
And please don’t call me a racist or islamaphobe…. Isn’t the whole point of the hundreds of billions of $$$ we’ve spent on TSA and airport security; to help prevent or protect the citizens from future terrorist attacks???? Well who the F$#^ was it that has tried or taken credit for 99% of the killings, bombings, and attacks over the last 9 years???!!!! I’m not afraid of any Muslim… I’m simply untrusting of every single one based on their silence or cheers following every attack by the “few extremists”.
And for the record, I’m a born again Christan; and the MURDERERS that have shot and killed abortion doctors should burn in HELL!!! ITS WRONG!
Report Post »YellowFin
Posted on December 24, 2010 at 1:52pmI have had it! I will never fly again, If I have to go to New York again, I’m driving.
Report Post »silveracer44
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 8:15pmWorse than Julian! Get him!
Report Post »RightPolitically
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 8:12pmHe’s right, airport security is BS! I worked for an airline years ago and it is true, ground personnel, now mostly Third World types, walk through without any real scrutiny. So, for pointing out the obvious, the pilot is to be CRUCIFIED!
Report Post »guyperram
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 8:24pmThe people runing TSA could care less about security. It is all a power trip. They have the power, after they are done feeling you up, you may get to take your trip.
Report Post »guyperram
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 9:33pmcrashnburn: that is standard operating procedure in any marxist regime. It is neccessary to remove your firearms so you cannot resist.
Report Post »After the FCC has taken care of free speech via the internet and radio, they will launch an all-out effort to “get the guns”. Count on it.
lobster
Posted on December 24, 2010 at 12:39amThis has been brewing for quite a while remember the two Border Patrol agents that were punished under Bush. Good guys always are the first to get punished. Welcome to the Fourth Reich…
Report Post »walkwithme1966
Posted on December 24, 2010 at 1:02amIf he was really pointing out a flaw in the system and then they start messing with him – can’t he get protection under the Whisle Blowers protection Act?
Report Post »silveracer44
Posted on December 24, 2010 at 4:08amCrashnburn, I couldn’t agree more. It’s time to enact REAL change, before it’s too late.
Report Post »crashnburn
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 8:11pmFree speech and the TSA just don’t make good friends….
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 8:26pmAdd your comments
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 8:27pmSorry about that, I was going to make a smart azzed remark and changed my mind and hit the darned reply. Dang it all.
Report Post »Sheepdog911
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 9:10pmWhat Sensitive Security Information was disclosed in this? Virtually NOTHING that you and I can’t see just by walking through an airport. Maybe they’ll come and confiscate my copy of that TSA Security document that TSA posted on line last year. Now that was some cool Sensitive Security Information. Copied my CIA Security Badge from that little gem. Now the REAL Question … If the TSA took his TSA-issued firearm, why was his California Concealed Carry Weapons permit revoked? One does not need a sate CCW permit to carry a government-issued firearm. Sounds like intimidation as a result of embarrassment. Guess what TSA, the king has no clothes. TSA is a farce, you were safer flying on 9-11-2001.
Report Post »LUDWIKA BRONISLAWA
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 9:53pmThat’s right, WE watch YOU, not the other way around! That pilot should get a pat on the back for bringing this to their attention.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 10:05pmThat will be the next thing to go .. those big windows where you can watch the planes and the ground crews…. just feel us up and lock us in a room until we board … can’t have citizens watching out for terrorists .. we might actually catch (remember the TSA has not caught ONE terrorist it has been citizens!) some more and make them look bad AGAIN!
I refuse to fly … period .. if I can’t get there by car I (and my money) will stay home. The only way to fight this is by $$$ (or lack their of).
Report Post »CatB
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 10:10pmWait a minute .. what about the “whistle blower” protection …?
Report Post »APatriotFirst
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 10:52pmI think all TSA was, is a payback by Obama to unions. TSA will be unionized soon. It has nothing to do with our safety. Never has and never will.
Report Post »The1776er
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 10:58pmwhoever that pilot was, I congratulate him.
Report Post »101
Posted on December 24, 2010 at 12:10amThe
Soros
Administration
http://commieblaster.com/george-soros-fund/index.html
Report Post »CultureWarriors
Posted on December 24, 2010 at 12:49amWhy is it when this Administration took over the TSA & HLS started acting like the Gestapo?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIqryU3Sp54
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on December 24, 2010 at 1:25amObama is your Wicky leaking again? You better have that looked at.
Report Post »Note* The 2nd amendment gets trampled ..for the better good?
Grope & Change
*************************
Posted on December 24, 2010 at 3:00amBRAVO to that “veteran commercial airline Army Reserve pilot”!!
“Well, raise my rent. You ARE The [Waco] Kid!” -sheriff Bart, Blazing Saddles
Report Post »spikebu
Posted on December 24, 2010 at 3:28amThese people have been doing everything to poke us in the chest. Provoke our anger. Get us to react in the way THEY want us to. Are we going to cave now? Give them what they want? Let them direct and manipulate us? We can choose not to be cattle. We can do what they DON’T expect. They prefer to take us down with the media. If it doesn’t provoke us to violence, they’ll try something more direct. I don’t know why we need to be pacifists until they physically attack us, we ARE the majority, I just know we do. God has a plan, people. Listen to Him.
Report Post »silveracer44
Posted on December 24, 2010 at 4:04amI agree, there’s no reason to wait around anymore…
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on December 24, 2010 at 5:04amHeadline:
Whistleblower got whistle shoved up his a@@
Jack booted thug army that Obama talked about is here…
Report Post »grumpyt
Posted on December 24, 2010 at 5:51amIs anyone else gettin’ skeert yet? It turning into the “Brown Shirts” vs us, the citizens. It is going to get ugly if we don’t find a way to stop them.
Report Post »mark t
Posted on December 24, 2010 at 7:49amHe will now carry a much larger and more leathal weapon,
Report Post »I think they call it HAM!!
HAM!1!!
expatinontariocanada
Posted on December 24, 2010 at 7:56amWhy doesn’t he claim Whistle Blower status?
Report Post »Max jones
Posted on December 24, 2010 at 8:25amMy elderly mother is flying into Oakland in early January, and I am curious about her observations. We’ve told her to take the scan, I don’t believe she will like the grope. I always worry about her when she flies, though there’s never been a problem. There WILL be problems ,somewhere, I am sure. I just pray that she will have an easy go of it this time.
Report Post »In over two years, this administration, has NOT done one thing that appears good for the people of this country! Everything they get invovoled in quickly goes to crap! The progressives must believe that we are out to get them…The must think that there is no escape…That every lie , every malfunction in their plan will be exposed. They seem to be acting out of fear for their own policy, so, bring every little thing out into the open, expose everything!! Let them hide nothing!!
I can feel that it is coming down to the wire. The PUSH is coming soon. It will be an EVENT.
Sunlight is very bad for fungus and bacteria. Turn over every rock..Look into every hole.
Highland
Posted on December 24, 2010 at 8:45amTSA has very little to do with actual airline security.
Report Post »TexasCommonSense
Posted on December 24, 2010 at 9:01amThis story kind of reminds me of another story posted, “China Sentences Journalist to Life in Prison for Reporting on Riots”.
Report Post »Bluebonnet
Posted on December 24, 2010 at 10:51amThis says it all, be careful, Big Brother is watching all of us and will get even.
Report Post »First they came for the Communists,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I wasn’t a communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I did not speak out,
because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I was not a jew.
Then they came for me,
and by that time there was no one
left to speak out for me
fairtax4all
Posted on December 25, 2010 at 9:06amThe pilot was being a patriot & letting TSA know where their flaws were. He should have quoted Obama, “you would think they would be thanking me!” Instead Janet & her band of goons go after the poor guy.
Report Post »rochrealtor
Posted on December 26, 2010 at 1:34pmlet me know if you need money for your attorney.
Report Post »sclibertymom
Posted on December 27, 2010 at 2:08pmhttp://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/20/opinion/20tues1.html?_r=2&oref=slogin
Report Post »To keep filling the ranks, the Army has had to keep lowering its expectations. Diluting educational, aptitude and medical standards has not been enough. Nor have larger enlistment bonuses plugged the gap. So the Army has found itself recklessly expanding the granting of “moral waivers,” which let people convicted of serious misdemeanors and even some felonies enlist in its ranks.
YOOPER69
Posted on December 28, 2010 at 11:20amHe should be rewarded not punished. What happened to “whisleblower” law to protect him.
Report Post »