Wed, Nov 03, 2004
And Not Just For Aliens
As Transportation Security
Administration (TSA) chief David M. Stone learned first-hand last
week at AOPA Expo 2004, the new citizenship check rule has stirred
up a firestorm of frustration and confusion within the general
aviation community. Record numbers of pilots and flight instructors
are telling AOPA that they are upset that there was no advance
warning or education on the rule that requires pilots to verify
citizenship with instructors before they train for additional
ratings or certificates.
Non-US citizens are also required to be screened by the TSA.
"This entire action is the most ill-conceived, bungled,
incompetent travesty of justice that I have encountered in all my
many years in aviation," said one pilot.
In addition, instructors are
complaining that they are not trained in security and should not be
put in the position of verifying citizenship documents.
AOPA has also heard from many of the 82,452 pilots who are
resident aliens. They are saying that the TSA's new process
requiring them to submit to fingerprinting, background checks, and
having their photos taken is redundant because resident aliens have
already received extensive immigration and homeland security
screening.
"We are taking these concerns directly to the top of the TSA and
making sure our friends in Congress weigh in at the agency," said
AOPA President Phil Boyer. "This rule must be changed." For more
information on the specifics of the rule, see AOPA's regulatory
brief.
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