JetBlue pilot charged with weapons possession

Hook686 said:
I thought pilots could carry guns on flights. Have the rules changed ?
Click to expand...
Only if they have gone through the training program and been certified as Federal Flight Deck Officers. Some of the requirements of the program are so arcane and invasive that many pilots have declined to participate.
 
It was an H&K .40 which is what the federal armed pilot program requires. Who wants to bet this is a case of the NYC/ Port Authority claiming a pilot lawfully authorized to carry on a plane had a handgun illegaly (in their opinion) in NYC?

See if this story disappears.
 
+1 to Musketeer. I'll be interested in watching.

NRA had a similar story about an African hunter passing through a NYC airport. The transfer from international flight to domestic required him to retrieve his bags and check them in for the domestic flight. During said transition, he was approached by law enforcement because he had his hunting rifle on him.

Bottom line, calm heads prevailed and an older, more seasoned officer intervened and allowed him to pass.

The moral of the story I took away: even if legal, and sensical, you may still run into trouble in any of the NYC airports if you have a firearm.
 
Last edited:
Musketeer said:
Who wants to bet this is a case of the NYC/ Port Authority claiming a pilot lawfully authorized to carry on a plane had a handgun illegaly (in their opinion) in NYC?
Click to expand...

The complaint says Paulson had been in New York for at least the day and was returning to Iowa.
Click to expand...

Certainly could be taken that way based on the wording of the article. Who is he being charged by? I am assuming NYC and not the Feds?
 
Musketeer said:
It was an H&K .40 which is what the federal armed pilot program requires. Who wants to bet this is a case of the NYC/ Port Authority claiming a pilot lawfully authorized to carry on a plane had a handgun illegaly (in their opinion) in N
Click to expand...
That's a very likely explanation. You have to figure that a pilot on a line that shuttles in and out of NY has to be smart enough to know his bag is going to get screened. Some TSA drone probably panicked and called a Port Authority cop, who figured he was going to save the world.

The interesting thing is, if the pilot WAS packin' iron under the armed pilot program, he is a Federal law enforcement officer so, common sense aside, he should be covered by the LEOSA. After all, the full title is "Federal Flight Deck OFFICER." Busting a FFDO is the same as busting an Air Marshal.

If he is a FFDO, I hope the dweebs who busted him see their careers come to a screeching halt. NYC and the Port Authority cops are beyond ridiculous.
 
To add to what Aguila stated:

If it turns out that "the pilot WAS packin' iron under the armed pilot program" and hes butt is allowed to be nailed to the wall anyways, what incentive are other pilots going to have to join the program?
 
It's not clear from the article whether he was to be the pilot for the plane he was to board, or if he was just traveling as a passenger. If the latter, then perhaps he is just like any other passenger, under the applicable regulations?

DogoDon
 
Interesting read on Federal Flight Deck Officers who are deputized air marshals. I suspect it will either not go to court, or be acquitted if he does go to court. A similar sounding case occurred with a constable from PA in NYC. He was covered under the LEOSA in the end.

It appears that there is also accusations that the TSA opposes the FFDO program according to the Wicki sources:

Federal Flight Deck Officers are Sworn and Deputized Federal Law Enforcement officers commissioned by the Department of Homeland Security/ TSA Law Enforcement Division. Officers are trained on the use of firearms, use of force, legal issues, defensive tactics, the psychology of survival and program standard operating procedures. Flight crew members participating in the program are not eligible for compensation from the Federal Government for services provided as a Federal Flight Deck Officer.[2]
The TSA is accused of having a "deep, institutional opposition to the FFDO program" by the Airline Pilots Security Alliance.[3
Click to expand...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Flight_Deck_Officer
 
It will not matter if the pilot was a flight officer, or a passenger, if he is a FFDO, he has a license to carry on the plane, in the airport, or in any state/city (and probably any country with a reciprical agreement with the feds) he may land in.
 
NYC and the Port Authority cops are beyond ridiculous.
Click to expand...
+1.Bloomberg is a complete moron and has destroyed New York city with his self-righteous attitude.I can't figure out why people passing through New York or New Jersey for that matter are routinely thrown in jail on weapons charges.:mad:
 
Of course not one news report I have found even asks the question about the pilot being authorized to carry. Journalism is dead.
 
A pilot does not need a weapon all he does is push the yoke forward....if he is crazy and going to take a plane down with him.
 
Why does the pilot go through a metal detector anyway? Is he going to storm the cockpit with ANYTHING?
Click to expand...

And...the boiling it down to brass tacks award for 16 September 2011 award goes to...Ridge Runner 5

As a reward...Jennifer Connelly's photo

connelly-jennifer-photo-jennifer-co.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top