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Security Issues
Captain Jay Norelius, Director of CAPA Security
Email: capasecurity@capapilots.org
SECURITY ISSUES
(APRIL 2008)
I
offer my personal “thanks” to our CAPA Associations for stepping up with your
attendance and support for a very successful initial “Security Group” meeting
in 2008. Many timely security issues
were discussed in the three-hour meeting.
This time together was a “first” for many of the newer members of the
individual Association security committees.
The opportunity to meet each other and share professional concerns was
extremely valuable and very productive.
The
topics of discussion included: CAPA’s 2008 Aviation Security Report Card
(available for all at www.capapilots.org),
extended discussion regarding the recent USAirway FFDO’s unintentional weapon
discharge, comparing the operational value of crew-member self defense training
and behavioral pattern recognition--the first emphasizes reaction and the
second utilizes prevention, review of the ongoing challenges to both passenger
and the all-cargo aircraft flight deck security, and a through discussion of
CAPA’s top security issues—biometric IDs, one-level of cargo security for all
aircraft, flight deck secondary barriers and the need for much improved
distribution of critical threat intelligence and TSA protocol changes to aircraft
commanders.
In
addition, SWAPA representative Jim Duffy stepped up to coordinate discussions
or behavioral pattern recognition, secondary flight deck barriers with various
Association airlines plus a review of technical standards for the current hardened
flight deck door. Jim will, no doubt,
need some “help” with such a full plate!
Also, Mike Karn, Bill Crooks and Mark Weiss earned many kudos for their
development of a very useful “In Flight Security Guide”. This “living” document, for crewmember distribution,
provides a wealth of specific and common sense security data, information and
practical suggestions for pre-departure, in-flight and layover security
concerns. Our APA members volunteered
the “Guide” for use by CAPA Associations, thanks! We also look forward to the APA producing
another award winning security training video similar to their “30 second door
video”. In addition, Bill Cason with IPA
provided some insight into his very creative web-based model for pilot security
training at UPS. This is a project in
development and we look forward to a great curriculum to be shared with all
Association members. This combo of very effective security initiatives when
shared with our entire group highlights the power of 23,000 working together
for the safety and security of all.
In
closing, I would like to highlight one of CAPA’s TOP security issues: the critical need for biometric IDs and
credentialing in the aviation sector.
The following is CAPA’s well-established position on the topic and I will
“flesh out” more specifics in a future installment of “Security Issues”.
Biometric
Identification cards for any person with access to the flight deck of a
passenger or cargo aircraft should be issued immediately. This includes all Part 121 passenger and
cargo pilots, cabin crewmembers, cargo support personnel, aircraft mechanics,
government workers (FAA Inspectors, Secret Service etc.) and law enforcement
officers---ANY ONE with access to the aircraft flight deck.
Fly
Safe and Secure,
Jay
Captain
Jay Norelius
CAPA Director of Aviation Security
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