Starting early next year, TSA says, pilots will not have to go through the new body scanners and pat

[The Straight Story]

Starting early next year, TSA says, pilots will not have to go through the new body scanners and pat-downs -

U.S. airline pilots will be exempted from physical checks at airport security checkpoints so federal screeners can better focus on passengers, the Transportation Security Administration chief said.

Pilots starting next year will be able to move through checkpoints with proof of identity, said John Pistole, who leads the agency, in an interview today at Bloomberg’s office in Washington. He said he is in talks with flight attendants about similar exemptions.

“This one seemed to jump out as a common-sense issue,” Pistole said. “Why don’t we trust pilots who are literally in charge of the aircraft?”

The plan, which Pistole said will be rolled out in next year’s first quarter, may help ease checkpoint congestion, which has become a concern as consumers prepare to travel for next week’s Thanksgiving holiday in the U.S. Pilots have sought faster checks for years and intensified efforts in recent weeks after the agency had said they would be subject to body scans and pat-downs as part of new security procedures at airports.



http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-11-19/u-s-airline-pilots-will-be-exempted-from-physical-checks-tsa-chief-says.html

[FLyellowdog]

1. Duh. nt

[pipi_k]

2. I wonder which genius figured this one out n/t

[seafan]

3. So waving through a relatively few (pilots/crew) will 'ease checkpoint congestion'.... right.

The pilots and crew are raising hell and the TSA is blinking.


TSA Chief John Pistole today says that airline pilots will be exempted from physical checks starting next year. He's currently in talks with flight attendants.



Now it's the flying public's turn to raise hell about this voyeurism and sexual assault before boarding a plane, because if we don't buy tickets, bottom lines are drastically reduced. Especially of those who benefit from this "security theater", like Michael Chertoff.


This is a formidable economic weapon the people have.

[Gin]

4. why wait until next year? why not now?

[seafan]

6. That's a good question. n/t

[immoderate]

5. I would still be suspicious of a pilot who smuggled a bomb onto an airplane.

:crazy:

--imm

[lib2DaBone]

7. The TSA is part of the Bush Neocon Control..and Mr. Obama favors it....