OPINION:
Your March 17 editorial “Guns on a plane” (Opinion) made several unfortunate and untrue statements regarding the Transportation Safety Administration’s Federal Flight Deck Officer program. Although the editorial is merely your opinion, its inaccuracies may discourage those seeking to join the thousands of pilots who already have volunteered to become Federal Flight Deck Officers (FFDOs). It is for the benefit of these dedicated volunteer pilots that I have chosen to respond to your editorial with facts.
TSA has trained thousands of dedicated volunteers to become FFDOs. There never has been a discussion or plan to end the program, as claimed in the editorial. Moreover, there are no plans to transfer funds away from the Federal Flight Deck Officer program. TSA is committed to the continued vigorous growth of the program. FFDOs are an integral part of our layered approach to transportation security.
As pilots, who are dedicated to their passengers’ safety and security, continue to volunteer and become FFDOs, it is only natural that support positions may be added to the program.
I encourage all eligible pilots to take the time to learn the facts about the Federal Flight Deck Officer program. TSA provides the highest level of safety and security to this country’s traveling public, in large part thanks to the thousands of FFDOs who fly every day. I thank these men and women for their service to this nation as FFDOs.
GALE ROSSIDES
Acting administrator
Transportation Security Administration
Washington
Please read our comment policy before commenting.