ad space
Several recent leaks to the media about TSA shortcomings have called into question whether TSA is effective at doing its job, and to a larger extent whether the aviation industry is actually secure. The big question is: what should be done about TSA? The question is obviously much easier than the answer. Let’s address it… Continue Reading
From the FAA: “The FAA is working with its aviation security partners in the DC area to investigate an incident involving an aircraft that landed on the west lawn of the Capitol this afternoon. The pilot was not in contact with FAA air traffic controllers and the FAA did not authorize him to enter restricted… Continue Reading
Can I trust my pilot? After 9/11, cockpit doors were reinforced to keep the bad people out. But what happens when they are already inside. The details of the Germanwings 9525 crash are still filtering out but from what appears to have happened, is that the co-pilot, due to mental issues or whatever, put the… Continue Reading
A recent report of airline employees smuggling guns through commercial airliners has raised security concerns about the “insider threat.” Read, listen or watch the story here: NPR WSJ Arise America NBC The key question is: is this a threat? While anytime guns are in the cabin of an airplane illegally, we can call that a threat, the real question… Continue Reading
On 9/11 the FAA was caught completely off-guard as terrorists took over four aircraft and pulled of the most tragic and devastating attack using aviation in the history of the world. As an agency, the FAA was never in the intelligence loop, did not foresee the significant threat it faced (according to the 9/11 Commission… Continue Reading
As part of the airstrikes into Syria against ISIL the United States also decided to hit some old Al Qaeda friends – apparently these folks were planning to put bombs in electronic devices and smuggle them onto airplanes. Here’s the story along with a short soundbite from me on The Today Show. This brings… Continue Reading
A recent report in USA Today heightened awareness of the possible theft and use of commercial airliners to attack the United States or other targets. This was followed up with another incident of a general aviation aircraft owned by Larry Glazer, who is prominent in the real estate world that was chased by F-15 fighters when… Continue Reading
Of all the tragedies in a war, the most unfortunate is the loss of innocent lives. We see the human drama played out nightly in the conflicts between Russian separatists in the Ukraine, and elements of Hamas and the Israeli Defense Forces in the Gaza Strip, not to mention plenty of other places throughout the… Continue Reading
The Department of Homeland Security recently announced that they would require travelers from foreign airports with direct flights to the United States to possibly turn on their cell phones, tablets and laptops in order to prove they are functional and not concealing an explosive. This is not without precedence. In the late 80s and early 90s… Continue Reading
The recent report of an individual stowing away aboard a Hawaiian Airlines flight from San Jose to Maui again brings forth the question of perimeter security at airports. A couple of years ago with the infamous jet skier at John F. Kennedy Airport along with a few other perimeter breaches that year raised concerns throughout… Continue Reading