Explosion rocks Moscow's Domodedovo Airport

by B. N. Sullivan

A large explosion rocked the international  arrivals hall at Moscow's Domodedovo Airport (DME) earlier today, January 24, 2011.  Local officials say that the blast, which was caused by a suicide bomber, killed at least 35 people and left more than 100 injured.

Amateur video and photos shot on site showed a grisly scene, with bodies and body parts strewn about, and heavy smoke hanging in the air.  ProducerMatthew.com has posted links to several photos from inside the Domodedovo Terminal.

Air traffic at DME was disrupted immediately after the bombing.  Some flights were diverted to Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport, or to St. Petersburg.  Other en route flights returned to their departure cities.

Here is a news video about the incident, posted on YouTube by Russia Today:



If the video does not play or display properly above, click here to view it on YouTube.

Flight attendant union calls on TSA to fully implement CrewPASS

by B. N. Sullivan

The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) has once again called upon the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to fully implement CrewPASS, an identification credential for aviation workers that promotes expedited screening of those who most frequently pass through airport security.

In a press statement issued yesterday, Patricia Friend, AFA-CWA International President, said, “TSA has devoted many resources to enhancing aviation security but, as recently announced screening procedures take effect, it is flight attendants who are adversely affected by lengthy airport security lines.

“Flight attendants are subject to extensive background checks so there is no reasonable explanation why this highly vetted group of aviation employees continues to be exposed to lengthy airport security lines which may affect their ability to report to the aircraft on time.  AFA-CWA supports a multi-layered aviation security system and we urge the TSA to continue work on improving airport security screening effectiveness.”

For years, AFA-CWA has been urging TSA to devote serious resources to the appropriate development and full implementation of an aviation workers’ identification credential that will promote expedited screening of those who most frequently must pass through airport security.  This credential could employ biometrics, such as fingerprints, to quickly screen flight attendants and others.  This would ultimately allow TSA to focus on more effective screening of the hundreds of airport vendors and thousands of aircraft passengers who daily pass through the screening checkpoints.

RELATED:

• Legislation will expedite crew access at U.S. airports
• TSA launches expedited security screening for flight deck crews

Flight attendants honored for response to the Christmas Day 'underpants bomber'

by B .N. Sullivan

The flight attendants who dealt with the infamous 'underpants bomber' on Northwest Flight 253 this past Christmas Day have been honored by their union. The Detroit-based flight attendants were given the prestigious C.B. Lansing Award for successfully thwarting the terrorist attack on December 25, 2009. The award ceremony took place earlier this week at the annual board meeting of the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) in Las Vegas.

Quoting from the AFA press release about the award:

“A catastrophe was averted on Christmas day because of the professionalism of the flight attendants on Northwest flight 253,” said Patricia Friend, AFA-CWA International President. “Their quick responses were nothing short of heroic as they identified and mobilized the necessary resources on board and saved the lives of 290 passengers and crew. They exemplify what it means to be a flight attendant in 2010, a front-line safety and security professional.”

The C.B. Lansing Memorial Award was established following the tragic and heroic events aboard Aloha Airlines flight 243 on April 28, 1988 when Aloha flight attendants faced a sudden and serious aircraft incident. C.B. Lansing did not survive the incident; however her fellow flight attendants persevered, rendering life-saving first aid in-flight as they planned for an emergency landing.

“On the eve of the anniversary of the heroism of C.B. Lansing and the Aloha crew, we honor our fellow flight attendants for their service to the flight attendant profession and once again reminding the public of our true mission,” said Friend.

AFA notes that the C .B. Lansing Award is not an annual presentation; rather it is "presented to a crew or crewmember who displays heroism beyond the call of duty."

There have been seven prior recipients of this honor in the history of AFA-CWA.

Drama on United Airlines Flight 663: A smoker, not a terrorist

by B. N. Sullivan

For the past several hours I have been watching a drama unfold -- 'watching' via my computer monitor, that is. The story I am about to tell emerged over a period of several hours, during which I monitored Twitter and many news Web sites. What follows is a summary of what is known so far, pieced together from numerous sources -- subject to amendment when information from official sources becomes available.

Earlier this evening there was an incident aboard a United Airlines flight while it was en route to Denver from Washington, DC. It seems that a male first class passenger decided to sneak a smoke in the forward lavatory of the Boeing 757-200, which was operating as United Flight 663. The smoke was noticed, the passenger was confronted by Federal Air Marshals (FAMs), and some sort of verbal exchange followed.

Apparently the behavior and/or statements of the passenger were perceived as suspicious enough that the crew requested that law enforcement officials meet the plane when it landed at Denver. In fact, early news reports suggested that the passenger may have been trying to set fire to his shoe (like the infamous shoe bomber back in 2001), although those reports were later tempered, implying instead that the incident arose from a "misunderstanding" rather than a true threat. (ABC News quoted an unnamed US security official who said the passenger may have made a "sarcastic" comment about lighting his shoes on fire when he was confronted by the FAMs, who had been told by flight attendants that smoke was coming from the lavatory.)

In any case, two F-16s from Buckley AFB were dispatched by NORAD to intercept the United aircraft and escort it during its approach to Denver. Upon arrival, just before 7:00 PM local time, the airliner parked at a 'remote location' at Denver International Airport. The passenger at the center of the drama was taken into custody, and the aircraft was searched for explosives; none were found. The Denver Post reported that the remainder of the 157 passengers and six crew members deplaned and were bused to an airport fire station where they were "interviewed by the FBI."

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued a brief statement about the incident, saying only that "Federal Air Marshals responded to a passenger causing a disturbance on board the aircraft," that the plane had landed safely at Denver, and that the passenger was being interviewed by law enforcement.

At some point along the way, several news media reports said that the suspicious passenger was a diplomat from Qatar. This turned out to be accurate, given that the Embassy of Qatar in Washington, DC released the following statement, via its Web site, a short time ago:

FROM THE AMBASSADOR OF THE STATE OF QATAR TO THE UNITED STATES, H.E. ALI BIN FAHAD AL-HAJRI

PRESS REPORTS TODAY REGARDING AN INCIDENT ABOARD A COMMERCIAL FLIGHT FROM WASHINGTON, DC TO DENVER, CO INDICATE THAT A QATARI DIPLOMAT WAS DETAINED FOR SUSPICIOUS BEHAVIOR. WE RESPECT THE NECESSITY OF SPECIAL SECURITY PRECAUTIONS INVOLVING AIR TRAVEL, BUT THIS DIPLOMAT WAS TRAVELING TO DENVER ON OFFICIAL EMBASSY BUSINESS ON MY INSTRUCTIONS, AND HE WAS CERTAINLY NOT ENGAGED IN ANY THREATENING ACTIVITY. THE FACTS WILL REVEAL THAT THIS WAS A MISTAKE, AND WE URGE ALL CONCERNED PARTIES TO AVOID RECKLESS JUDGMENTS OR SPECULATION.

(Yes, it was all in capital letters, exactly as I have posted it.)

Moments before I began to write this post, several news media -- quoting unnamed law enforcement officials -- reported that no criminal charges will be filed against the Qatari diplomat.

UPDATE Apr. 8, 2010: Several news media are reporting today that Qatari government officials have informed the U.S. State Department that the Qatari diplomat who caused last night's incident would leave the United States, probably by the end of this week.

This morning, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano issued the following statement about the incident:

“I commend the Federal Air Marshals on board United Airlines flight 663 last night, who swiftly responded to a potential threat to passenger safety while the plane was in flight. These highly trained individuals took appropriate and immediate action to secure the aircraft and communicate the potential threat to authorities on the ground—ensuring that the flight was met by TSA and law enforcement officials when it landed safely in Denver. I spoke to the Air Marshals this morning, and I expressed my appreciation for their vital service keeping passengers around the world safe from potential threats of terrorism—work that nearly always goes unnoticed. We always treat security-related incidents seriously until verified otherwise, and thankfully this incident posed no actual security threat."

Hijacking drama on Aeroméxico Boeing 737 ends safely in Mexico City

The attempted hijacking earlier today of an Aeroméxico Boeing 737-800 ended safely in Mexico City. The drama began shortly after Aeroméxico Flight AM 576 departed from Cancún en route to Mexico City. The hijackers, who were among the 100-plus passengers on the flight, claimed to have a bomb. News reports say the men threatened to blow up the plane unless they were allowed to speak to Mexico's president, Felipe Caldéron.

The hijackers never gained access to the flight deck. The aircraft continued on to Mexico City, where it landed safely and parked at a remote area of the airport. Passengers were allowed to deplane, although the crew were believed to have been held on board at first. Federal police and soldiers reportedly boarded the plane after the passengers had been released and took a number of men into custody.

There is still some confusion as to the exact number and nationality of purported hijackers -- various news media report as few as three and as many as nine. In any case, no explosive device was found on the aircraft, according to Mexico's Transport Minister Juan Molinar.

UPDATE: According to the Bloomberg news service, there was only one hijacker -- a Bolivian man identified by authorities as identified as Jose Marc Flores Pereira -- who said he was inspired by “divine revelation.” Flores reportedly told Mexican authorities that he "took action because today’s date, Sept. 9, 2009, represented an upside-down 666."

Hmmm.

Bloomberg reports:

Flores threatened the crew from Aeromexico flight 576 with a fake bomb about an hour after takeoff from Cancun, [Public Safety Minister] Garcia Luna said. The pilot informed authorities and later acted as interlocutor between Flores and authorities once the plane landed in Mexico City at about 1:40 p.m. local time

At least six other passengers had been removed from the plane in handcuffs, but police later concluded that they were not involved in the hijacking plot.

NOTAM: FAA Flight Restrictions for the U.S. Presidential Inauguration

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued flight restrictions to coincide with events of the U.S. Presidential Inauguration in Washington, DC on January 20, 2009. The FAA at the request of the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Defense as part of the airspace security measures will be modifying the Washington Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) and Washington Metropolitan Flight Restriction Zone (FRZ) with additional flight restrictions between the hours of 10:00-18:00 local time.

According to a Public Advisory issued by the FAA, the following restrictions will apply:

Washington DC ADIZ Restrictions: The DC ADIZ is that area of airspace over the surface of the earth where the ready identification, location, and control of aircraft is required in the interests of national security. Specifically, the DC ADIZ is that airspace, from the surface to but not including FL180, within a 30-mile radius of 385134N/0770211W or the DCA VOR/DME.

1. Only authorized DOD and Law Enforcement/Air Ambulance operations are permitted within the ADIZ with prior coordination and approval from the Air Security Operations Center (ASOC) at 866-598-9524.
2. General Aviation aircraft on an active IFR flight Plan arriving and/or departing Dulles International Airport (IAD), Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI) and Manassas Regional Airport (HEF) are authorized.
3. Only authorized CFR Part 121 and CFR Part 129 regularly scheduled commercial passenger and all-cargo flights that MEET OR EXCEED the Transportation Security Administration approved Aircraft Operator Standard Security Program (AOSSP), Full All-Cargo Aircraft Operator Standard Security Program (FACAOSSP), Domestic Security Integration Program (DSIP), Twelve-Five Standard Security Program (TFSSP) All Cargo, or All-Cargo International Security Procedure (ACISP) and DOS Foreign Aircraft issued a diplomatic clearance are authorized to operate within the ADIZ.
4. No General Aviation IFR/VFR flights will be authorized to transit through the DC ADIZ.
5. The provisions of FDC NOTAM 8/9459, VFR traffic pattern operations at certain airports and egress procedures for the following airports:
   

   A. Barnes (MD47)
   B. Flying M Farms (MD77)
   C. Mountain Road (MD43)
   D. Robinson (MD14)
   E. Skyview (51VA)
   F. Vint Hill Farms Station (04VA)

   are temporarily suspended during the time of this NOTAM.
6. The provisions of FDC NOTAM 8/9460, ingress/egress procedures for Leesburg (JYO) in Virginia are temporarily suspended during the time of this NOTAM.

Washington DC FRZ Restrictions: From the surface up to but not including FL180 beginning at the Washington /DCA/ VOR/DME 311 degree radial at 15NM 385931N/0771830W, thence clockwise along the DCA 15NM arc to the DCA 002 degree radial at 15NM 390628N/0770432W, thence southeast via a line drawn to the DCA 049 degree radial at 14NM 390218N/0765038W, thence south via a line drawn to the DCA 064 degree radial at 13NM 385901N/0764832W, thence clockwise along the 13NM arc to the DCA 276 degree radial at 13NM 385053N/0771848W, thence north to the point of beginning, excluding the airspace within a 1NM radius of Freeway Airport /W00/ Mitchellville, MD. The FRZ
is within and part of the Washington ADIZ.

1. Only authorized DOD and Law Enforcement/ Air Ambulance operations are permitted within the FRZ with prior coordination and approval from the Air Security Operations Center (ASOC) at 866-598-9524.
2. ALL aircraft MUST coordinate with and receive approval from the Air Security Operations Center (ASOC) at 866-598-9524 prior to arriving and/or departing from Andrews AFB (ADW) or Davison Army Airfield (DAA). A PPR does not authorize entry into the FRZ.
3. Only authorized CFR Part 121 and PART 129 regularly scheduled commercial passenger carriers operating into and out of Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) under one of the following Transportation Security Administration approved standard security programs/procedures: Aircraft Operator Standard Security Program (AOSSP), Domestic Security Integration Program (DSIP) are authorized to operate in the DC FRZ.
4. Foreign aircraft issued a Department of State diplomatic clearance are authorized to operate into and out of Andrews AFB (KADW) ONLY.
5. The provisions of FDC NOTAM 8/9461, pertaining to the Maryland 3 airports known as Washington Executive Airport/Hyde Field (W32), Potomac Airfield (VKX) and College Park Airport (CGS), are temporarily suspended during the time of this NOTAM.

In Addition, Aircraft Receiving Authorization to Operate within the ADIZ/FRZ shall be required to:

1. Be on an active IFR flight plan.
2. Have a discrete transponder code assigned by ATC.
3. Remain in continuous two-way communications with ATC.

Aircraft Entering/Operating within the ADIZ/FRZ Without Authorization may be Intercepted and diverted to:

• Easton, MD (ESN), Stafford, VA (RMN) or Carroll County, MD (DMW) Airports for questioning by Federal Law Enforcement Officers.

Special Flights or Operations not authorized ANYWHERE within the ADIZ/FRZ: Flight training, practice instrument approaches, aerobatic flight, glider operations, parachute operations, ultralight, hang gliding, lighter than air operations, balloon/moored balloon operations, agriculture/crop dusting, animal population control flight operations, banner towing operations, utility line/pipeline inspection flights, part 101 operations, model aircraft operations, model rocketry and unmanned aerial systems.

All flight waivers to operate within the ADIZ/FRZ are temporarily suspended during the time of this NOTAM, except waivers beginning with ELO, GOV or SPO.

The NOTAMs discussed in this advisory may change with little or no notice. Pilots are advised to check NOTAMs frequently for possible changes prior to
operations in the area. Pilots are strongly advised to contact a Flight Service Station at 1-800-WX-BRIEF (1-800-992-7433) prior to flight to check for all current NOTAMS.

For questions or further details, please contact FAA Air Traffic Systems Operations Security at 866-598-9522.

Security concerns prompt airlines to suspend service to Pakistan and Bolivia

Yesterday British Airways announced the cancellation of all flights from London to Islamabad, Pakistan for an indefinite period of time, due to security concerns. The suspension of BA's six weekly flights to Pakistan comes in the wake of the bombing of the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad several days ago that killed more than 50 people and injured hundreds. Islamabad is the only destination city in Pakistan served by British Airways.

Then, on this side of the Atlantic, American Airlines confirmed today that it has suspended flights to and from Bolivia on security concerns due to the South American country's current political unrest. American Airlines runs the only daily nonstop air service between the U.S. and Bolivia. American says it hopes to resume flights between Bolivia and the U.S. in early October.

Pilots voice concerns over American Airlines joint venture plans

Last month, American Airlines, British Airways, and Iberia announced a new joint business agreement on flights between Europe and North America. In a related move, the carriers also announced that they would file for worldwide antitrust immunity from the U.S. Department of Transportation and would notify the appropriate regulatory authorities in the European Union. Finnair and Royal Jordanian also are included in the antitrust immunity application. The Allied Pilots Association (APA), the union representing American Airlines pilots, immediately expressed concerns regarding the impact the business agreement could have on job security for the airline's 12,000 pilots. Now the pilots are asking the federal government to defer any ruling on American Airlines’ application for antitrust exemption to allow for a full examination of related national security, competitiveness and outsourcing issues.

In a statement issued earlier today by the union, APA President, Capt. Lloyd Hill said, "Given the complexity of these proposed agreements, the many unknowns associated with them and other important considerations, we strongly recommend that any decision be deferred until a thorough analysis can be conducted.

"APA has major job-security concerns relative to what American Airlines is attempting to do, while other interested parties have voiced meaningful opposition to reduced competition among carriers. There simply isn’t time for the federal government to conduct an appropriately thorough investigation in a matter of weeks, as American Airlines management has advocated."

Security Considerations

Hill also pointed out that the government depends upon U.S. airlines to carry troops and supplies in wartime as the nation’s Civil Reserve Air Fleet.

"APA questions the wisdom of permitting national strategic-interest companies such as airlines to engage in what amounts to a virtual merger with foreign counterparts," Hill said. "I do not believe anyone fully understands the potential national-security ramifications of such a step."

Contractual Issues

According to APA, the union's current collective bargaining agreement precludes any joint business agreement between American Airlines and another carrier:

The contract’s "Scope" clause explicitly states that "All flying performed by or on behalf of the Company or an Affiliate shall be performed by pilots on the American Airlines Pilots Seniority List."

The clause does contain a series of exceptions for code-sharing agreements, commuter affiliate operations and other situations, but does not include any exception for a joint business agreement.

"Thus far American Airlines management has not negotiated any agreement with APA that would permit the airline to enter into a joint venture with British Airways and Iberia, which we firmly believe is a prerequisite," Hill said.

In a letter this week to the CEOs of British Airways and Iberia, Hill questioned the advisability of entering into a joint business agreement with American Airlines at this juncture. He emphasized to the executives that APA has been rebuffed in its efforts to work with American Airlines management to address the airline’s widely reported operational shortfalls.

He also noted that management has permitted pilot staffing levels at American Airlines to fall below a specific contractual benchmark, triggering a provision that will soon enable APA to terminate the Scope exception that allows the company to utilize commuter air carriers in their system. In addition, Hill noted the absence of any contractual language permitting management to proceed with the joint business agreement.

American Eagle planes damaged by TSA inspection at Chicago's O'Hare Airport

ABC News is reporting that a number of American Eagle aircraft, which were parked on the ramp at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, were damaged during an overnight spot check of aircraft security. The report says a TSA inspector, "as part of spot inspection of aircraft security, climbed onto the parked aircraft using control sensors mounted on the fuselage as handholds." Nine of the aircraft had to be grounded for repairs, according to ABC News.

Elio Montenegro, a TSA official in Chicago, is said to have confirmed that the incident(s) occurred. "Our inspector was following routine procedure for securing the aircraft that were on the tarmac," Montenegro told ABCNews.com.

Don't TSA inspectors who work around aircraft know the difference between a TAT probe and a handhold? Perhaps someone needs additional aircraft-specific training.

FAA issues flight restrictions for political conventions

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) in the Denver area during the Democratic Convention from August 25-28, and in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area for the Republican Convention from September 1-4. Before and during each convention, a number of leaders will arrive in the respective areas, thus, each event has been designated a National Special Security Event. The United States Secret Service is the lead agency in charge of security design, planning and implementation.

The FAA has classified the airspace in the areas of the national political conventions as "National Defense Airspace", and is issuing Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) with rules and restrictions in regard to flying in that airspace.

Here are the links to the relevant TFRs and NOTAMs for each area:

Democratic National Convention, Denver, Colorado, August 25-28, 2008

• Flight Advisory - 6-page 'pdf' file
• NOTAM FDC 8/1190

Republican National Convention, Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota, September 1-4, 2008

• Flight Advisory - 8-page 'pdf' file
• NOTAM FDC 8/1542

The FAA notes, "Any person who knowingly or willfully violates the rules concerning operations in this airspace may be subject to certain criminal penalties under 49 USC 46307. Pilots who do not adhere to the following procedures may be intercepted, detained and interviewed by Law Enforcement/USSS/Security Personnel. Be advised that noncompliance with the published NOTAM may result in the use of force."

TSA launches expedited security screening for flight deck crews

I received the following press release from the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) today -- reporoduced here for your information:

WASHINGTON – The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) today launched crewPASS, a test program designed to evaluate expedited access to secure areas of airports for properly credentialed commercial flight deck crew members. The program is a mandate of the 9/11 bill and will be evaluated at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Pittsburgh International Airport and Columbia (S.C.) Metropolitan Airport.

Eligible flight deck crew members will enter the secure area of these checkpoints via the exit lane of the security checkpoint after presenting their airline-issued identification and another form of ID to transportation security officers (TSOs). TSOs will check these credentials via a secure, real-time flight deck crew member database that includes a picture and other information to verify the individual's identity. Flight deck crew members who utilize this program will be subject to random screening, observation by behavior detection officers and other layers of security.

"We are very interested in developing ways to increase security through enhanced identity verification," said John Sammon, assistant administrator, TSA. "We are also interested in evaluating this program's ability to increase security by decreasing the number of people being screened, which allows our behavior detection officers to focus on individuals that exhibit suspicious behavior."

This test, which is being conducted in cooperation with the Air Line Pilots Association, will be limited to flight deck crew members in uniform and is scheduled to conclude after 60 days, at which time a full evaluation will be made.

9/11 Flight Crew Memorial dedicated

A memorial to the pilots and flight attendants who died in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks was dedicated today in Texas. The 9/11 Flight Crew Memorial, which is located in Grapevine, TX, was created to commemorate the heroism of the 33 crew members who lost their lives after their aircraft were hijacked by terrorists on that awful morning in 2001.

The memorial depicts two pilots, two flight attendants, and a child passenger. The sculpture also includes two eagles, signifying the two airlines -- United and American -- that lost aircraft and crew on 9/11. Unveiled today, July 4, 2008, the 9/11 Flight Crew Memorial is the only memorial dedicated solely to the flight crews who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.

Sculptor Dean Thompson created the memorial, which is 18 feet high. His wife, Valerie, is an American Airlines flight attendant. Speaking about the memorial to a reporter at CBS 11 TV, Valerie Thompson said, "I hope people recognize that we were the first responders on that day. We had a very important role in helping protect the public."

A message on the website of the 9/11 Flight Crew Memorial Foundation explains:

The name of the bronze art is VALOR – COMMITMENT – DEDICATION. The valor was demonstrated in the professionalism and courage shown by those who perished on that fateful day from the most vicious attack ever on American soil. Their names will always be engraved into stone and history and in our hearts. The crews who climbed back aboard when the sky was reopened demonstrated unparalleled valor going into the unknown to bring everyone home to their loved ones.

Commitment was later demonstrated along with the same courage when their companies called upon them to keep their companies alive by giving up pay that they earned, to keep solvency available in the terrible years following. They still have not been repaid for this courageous effort, but they demonstrated commitment and continue to work under conditions worse than ever.

Dedication to their jobs making safety in the sky their number one issue is paramount. They have been pushed to the limit with rest time barely reaching minimums. Flying safe aircraft has been questionable as recently demonstrated by actions taken by FAA to this regard.

We are honoring all flight crews of all airlines internationally. We are placing this memorial under the flight path into one of America’s largest and busiest airports, Dallas Fort Worth International. It will be visible from the sky when approaching from the North or departing to the North.

For information about the memorial, and more photos, visit the 9/11 Flight Crew Memorial Foundation website.

[Photo Source]

Actor Dennis Farina nabbed at LAX with loaded handgun

Various news media are reporting that actor Dennis Farina was taken into custody at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Sunday morning, May 11, 2008, after TSA agents at a security screening checkpoint discovered a loaded handgun in his briefcase. Mr. Farina, who was preparing to board a United Airlines flight from LAX to Chicago, claimed he forgot that the firearm was in his briefcase.

It gets worse: the loaded .22 caliber semi-automatic pistol that he forgot he had with him was not registered, nor did Mr. Farina have a permit to carry it.

Initially, Mr. Farina was taken to the LAPD Pacific station and booked for the misdemeanor charge of carrying a concealed weapon, and bail was set at $25,000. Later it was discovered that the firearm was not registered, at which point the charge was upgraded to a felony. Bail was then increased to $35,000. Mr. Farina was transferred to the LAPD Van Nuys station, according to Los Angeles TV station KTLA.

Mr. Farina should know better. Not only has he played cop and detective roles in movies and TV series, such as Law and Order, Crime Story, and Miami Vice, he used to be a law enforcement officer in real life, too. He worked for the Chicago Police Department for nearly 20 years before becoming an actor.

[Photo Source]

TSA deploys millimeter wave screening devices at LAX and JFK airports

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced that millimeter wave technology screening devices have been deployed to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Millimeter wave technology, which is already in use at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, detects weapons, explosives and other threat items concealed under layers of clothing without any physical contact. The technology is billed as an alternative to the physical pat-down.

This technology uses electromagnetic waves, passed over the body, to generate an image based on the energy reflected from the body. The energy emitted by millimeter wave technology is 10,000 times less than a cell phone, and is said to be harmless.

The TSA explains:

At LAX, millimeter wave will be used in a random continuous protocol. Alternative screening measures will be offered to individuals who decline to go through millimeter wave when asked to do so. The LAX pilot enables TSA to examine millimeter wave's operational capability, throughput, training, ease of use and privacy perceptions by the traveling public. The metal detector will remain in place at the checkpoint. The passenger will pass through it after going through the millimeter wave machine.

Millimeter wave at JFK will be piloted as a secondary screening device similar to its use in Phoenix. The technology is a voluntary alternative to a pat-down during secondary screening. During the Phoenix pilot, 90 percent of passengers have chosen the technology over the traditional pat-down.

In both locations, a transportation security officer will guide passengers through the process, which involves stepping into the machine and remaining still for a matter of seconds while the technology creates a three-dimensional image of the passenger from two antennas that simultaneously rotate around the body. Once complete, the passenger will step through the opposite side of the millimeter wave portal.

To ensure privacy, security officers view images from a remote location. From this location, the security officer cannot ascertain the identity of the passenger, either visually or otherwise, but can communicate with a fellow officer at the checkpoint if an alarm is presented. A security algorithm will be applied to the image to blur the face of each passenger, further protecting privacy.

The TSA plans to purchase and deploy 30 more of the machines this year.

For more information, visit the TSA web page on Millimeter Wave Whole Body Imaging technology (including video demonstrations).

[Photo Source]

TSA: US Airways pilot's firearm discharges in flight

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued a brief statement today about the discharge of a firearm on board a US Airways flight. According to the TSA news release, the weapon belonged to a pilot who is a member of the Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO) program. The gun was said to have been fired "accidentally," although no further details were provided.

The incident happened on Saturday, March 22, 2008 aboard an Airbus A-319 aircraft, operating as US Airways Flight USA1536, en route from Denver to Charlotte, NC. The flight, which the TSA claims "was never in danger," landed safely in Charlotte.

According to the TSA, the pilot was authorized to carry the gun aboard the aircraft under provisions of the FFDO program. The FFDO program trains civilian flight deck crew on the use of firearms, use of force, legal issues, defensive tactics, the psychology of survival and program standard operating procedures. The pilot whose gun discharged in flight was said to have last re-qualified as an FFDO on Nov. 7, 2007.

Airline pilots probably can expect to be hearing about the details of this incident during recurrent training. Pilots who also are FFDOs will most certainly see the incident addressed during their next re-qualification.

Here is a link to information about the Federal Flight Deck Officer program on the TSA website.

UPDATE March 29, 2008:
Video: Possible scenario for pilot's accidental discharge of his firearm.

Confiscated: One hot wallet!

We've all heard the expression about money burning a hole in one's pocket, but this is over the top. Last month a screener at an airport security checkpoint confiscated a flaming wallet from a passenger. No joke! That's it in the photo at right.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website has a section where interesting stories about TSA employees are posted. That's where I found this tale about the Transportation Security Officer (TSO) who intercepted the flaming wallet.

As the TSA explains, Zigmund Piech, the Lead TSO at Burlington (VT) International Airport "observed a passenger with unusual bulges in his back pockets." During a pat-down it was discovered that the passenger was carrying two packs of playing cards and a wallet in his pockets.

Piech noticed a gasoline odor coming from the items, as did Supervisory TSO Cindy Bevins, who put the items through the X-ray. The wallet produced an unusual image and as they were examining it, burst into flames.

It turns out that the owner of the wallet claimed to be a magician, and said he uses the wallet in his act. Well, that magician is going to have to change his act, because law enforcement made the wallet disappear. That is, they confiscated it. (No surprise there!)

After the magician was relieved of the tools of his trade, he was allowed to board his flight and continue his journey. In that sense he was more fortunate than the man caught at LAX last year with a magnet in his rectum. Last I heard, that guy was facing deportation.

[Photo Source]

TSA to test airport employee screening methods

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced that seven airports in the United States will be taking part in pilot programs to test various employee screening techniques, as required by the Omnibus Appropriations Act passed by Congress in January 2008. The seven airports are Boston's Logan International, Denver International, Jacksonville (Fla.) International, Kansas City (Mo.) International, Eugene (Ore.), Southwest Oregon Regional (North Bend, Ore.) and Craven Regional (New Bern, N.C.).

The new legislation mandates that 100% employee screening be evaluated at three airports and alternative employee screening at four other airports. A TSA news release about the airport employees screening pilot programs explains:

Use of multiple security measures will enable TSA to evaluate the most effective manner of screening airport employees. Airport employees and other employees including concession workers who have access to secure areas of the airports will be screened before they can enter those areas.

TSA currently deploys a layered approach to airport employee security that includes random and roving screening, checkpoint screening for certain populations and “surge" inspections. Random screening ensures that at any time airport employees may encounter security on the airport grounds. In addition, TSA has made strides in improving the airport employee badging process. TSA requires all badged airport employees to have a clear security threat assessment before a badge can be issued and audits are underway at airport badging offices across the country to verify adherence to this measure.

Three types of screening programs will be tested and evaluated.

• 100 Percent Perimeter Screening - Boston's Logan Airport
• 100 percent employee and vehicle screening at airport perimeter entrances
• Use of biometric access control
• 100 Percent Checkpoint Screening - Jacksonville; Craven Regional
• 100 percent physical employee screening from the public area to the secure area (known as SIDA)
• Enhanced Security Screening - Denver; Kansas City; Eugene; Southwest Oregon Regional
• Random screening
• Behavior detection programs
• Employee security awareness training
• Deployment of portable screening equipment
• Use of biometric access control (Denver only)

Each screening pilot program will last for ninety days. TSA is required to report to Congress before Sept. 1, 2008 on the cost and effectiveness of the pilot programs at each airport.

Four GIRjet crew arrested in Chad are free, three remain in custody

On October 25, 2007, the crew of a Boeing 757 aircraft operated by Spanish charter carrier GIRjet were arrested in Abéché, a town in eastern Chad. The two pilots and five cabin crew, all reported to be of Spanish nationality, were accused as accessories in an alleged child kidnapping operation.

The aircraft on which they were working was chartered by a French charity called L'Arche de Zoe (Zoe's Ark) to airlift 103 children from Chad to France. Apparently the operation was illegal, however it is unlikely that the crew were aware of this fact.

A news report on AllAfrica.com said:

On Tuesday, Spanish Minister of Justice Mariano Fernández Bermejo reported that "every possible effort is being made to convince officials in Chad that the Spanish nationals had nothing to do with the attempt to remove the children from the country," because they had merely been contracted by the French NGO and were not even informed of the identity, ages or conditions of the passengers.

In a dramatic move, French President Nicolas Sarkozy flew to the Chadian capital N'Djamena yesterday and obtained the release of three French journalists and four of the GIRjet cabin crew, all women. The women were repatriated to Spain, according to news reports. The male cabin crew member and both pilots are still being held in Chad.

Earlier today the French airline pilots' association SNPL, the union that represents Air France pilots, issued a statement that defends the imprisoned crew and calls for a boycott of Chad airports unless the remaining GIRjet crew members are released and repatriated within eight days.

Along with the rest of the aviation community, I am hoping that the government of Chad will soon release the crew members who are still detained. I will post any new developments regarding the crew as they become available.

UPDATE November 9, 2007: After spending two weeks in custody in Chad, the three male GIRjet crew members have been released and returned to Spain. Captain Augustin Rey, F/O Sergio Munoz, and cabin crew member Daniel Gonzalez left N'Djamena today aboard a Spanish Air Force plane bound for Madrid, according to an Agence France Presse news story.

New TSA policy on remote control devices in carry-on baggage

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued a statement last week regarding additional security measures related to remote control devices in carry-on baggage taken aboard aircraft. The notice says:

In view of the period of strategic warning discussed in the National Intelligence Estimate on Homeland Security released in July, TSA is carefully monitoring information developed in the law enforcement and intelligence communities related to methods of possible attack.

While not associated with a specific threat at this time, TSA is aware that remote control toys can be used to initiate devices used in terrorist attacks. Accordingly, Transportation Security Officers have trained on this possibility and travelers may encounter additional screening when bringing remote control devices in carry-on baggage.

According to a New York Times article about the new move, "The new policy was established just days after the federal authorities in South Carolina disclosed that a college student being held on terrorism-related charges had made a video that he posted on YouTube, showing how to use a remote controlled toy as a detonator."

Click here to listen to TSA Administrator Kip Hawley's statement on remote control toys.

[Photo Source]

AtlasJet hijackers end up in custody in Turkey

Early this morning, two men attempted to hijack an AtlasJet flight en route from Ercan International Airport in northern Cyprus to Istanbul. The MD-83 aircraft with 136 on board diverted to Antalya, a city on Turkey's Mediterranean coast where the would-be hijackers ultimately were taken into custody.

According to a report about the attempted hijacking on CNN, passengers from the flight said that two men from the back of the plane "rushed to the front and tried to break open the cockpit door." When their attempt to enter the flight deck failed, "the men began talking to the flight attendants in a mix of Arabic and English and asked to be taken to either Iran or Syria."

Passengers have told the press that the hijackers claimed they had a bomb, and that at least one of the men was armed with a knife.

News reports say that after the aircraft landed at Antalya, the pilots escaped through the cockpit windows. Some passengers and other crew members were held hostage aboard the plane for several hours after it landed.

The Guardian said that the hijackers allowed one of the doors of the aircraft to be opened for fresh air.

Most of the passengers had escaped the plane from the rear exit at Antalya airport while the hijackers were releasing women and children. But the hijackers held some six crew and passengers for around four hours before allowing them to leave the plane and later surrendering to authorities.

TV news footage shows passengers and other crew members evacuating through emergency exits and running from the aircraft while it sat on the runway at Antalya.

Here are some links to TV footage of the incident, from YouTube:

• BBC World Service - posted by YouTube user komotini24.
• CNN Turk (Turkish language) - posted by YouTube user nusretten.

Turkey's Transport Minister Osman Gunes, quoted by the news media, said one hijacker is Turkish, while the other is believed to be Palestinian carrying a Syrian passport.

This is the second time I've reported on the hijacking of a Turkish airliner this year. In April, a Pegasus Airlines B737 was hijacked on a flight between Diyarbakir and Istanbul.