Warbird Information Exchange

An interesting thing happened at the airport today.

I was trying to get from the museum to the taxiway to get some work doen on the plane. The airport had changed the gate code ( I was not informed as one of the museum hanger managers), but no problem a airport employee came through the gate. I offered to show him my pilot certifiacte, photo ID and even my airport operation area badge. The employee said I did not have permission to enter the airport. I asked what credentials I would need. He said "anyone can get a pilot license off the internet". He refused to look at my credentials and let me through the gate without "permission". He even threatened to call the Sheriff.

I finally found someone with the correct code to allow me to taxi out ( almost an hour delay). What kind of permission and from who do we as pilots need to exercise our privileges? I guess they can be taken away at any time, but my certificate states that I have "been found to be properly qualified to exercise the priviledges of a private pilot"

I understand security, but on the other hand I had the credentials to exercise my priviledge as an airman.

Remember when we lived in a free country?
Remember when flying was fun?

Anyone from FAA or TSA that can clear this up?

Is anything like this happening to anyone else?

Since you have an airport area operations badge (SIDA) then he should have had no problems in allowing you access. Unless that gate was not a part of the area you are allowed in. One of the responsibilities of access is to not allow anyone to "piggy back" when exercising your "privelege". Don't forget that there can be hefty fines for violations both for the company responsible for the badge and the individual, up to $2500 at KBED. Everytime the code is changed here there are always tenants who don't get the word. When I know them I just tell them the new code. Sounds like someone hopped up on his "authority" and eager to exercise it.

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"I can't understand it, I cut it twice and it's still too short!" Robert F. Dupre' 1923-2010 Go With God.

I'd have told that little Hitler 'Call the Sheriff, and call your boss, the head of the airport security office, and the airport manager, I want all of them here right now, while I call my lawyer'. And then show all of them your documentation, including, if you have it the rent recipts for your tie down or hanger. It sounds like another episode of Gilbert and Sullivan and 'the luggage inspectors of Penzance' and this boob needs to have some of his 'authority' scaled back. And since the airport is public domain I'll bet someone in the County Executives office might be interested, I'd show up @ the county council public meeting and ask QUE? during public comment time. But then I've always thought that if you need to stir the pot, you should use a big outboard motor.

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Don't make me go get my flying monkeys-

We had a local airport manager at an airport that I used to work at try that. She finally got run off...
That kind of "security theater" is so dumb, but so happening these days. Anyone that's nice enough to listen to someone tell them not to come in is likely not part of the "problem."

Ryan

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Aerial Photographer with Red Wing Aerial Photography currently based at KRBD and tailwheel CFI.
Websites: Texas Tailwheel Flight Training, DoolittleRaid.com and Lbirds.com.

The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. - Prov. 21:31 - Train, Practice, Trust.

Now that is something I will pilfer for future use.

Oscar D. You can come down here to DWH Airport (AKA "Hooks state park". We have the opposite problem. No gates, no security and the airport mgmt does not care, or have a clue.

It is actually bad because there is so little control of the general population, it is to the point of being dangerous. There are litterally roving packs of bicyclists, mom's pushing kids in strollers, children running around un supervised, go-karts etc. on active taxiways on a regular basis. There have been several instances of people trying to launch boats and jet ski's in the sea lane ( which is tower controlled ).

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Expert:
Ex: Former.
Spurt: A drip under pressure.

I've often wondered about that at Hooks. That's a nice airport and I've stopped there several times. Decent restaurant, too. Will have to look you up.

Ryan

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Aerial Photographer with Red Wing Aerial Photography currently based at KRBD and tailwheel CFI.
Websites: Texas Tailwheel Flight Training, DoolittleRaid.com and Lbirds.com.

The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. - Prov. 21:31 - Train, Practice, Trust.

The safety at Hooks sounds like the safety of 5C1. If you can't go half ass don't go at all. Airplanes running into cars (on the runway) and still no safety plan. Next time someone will die and maybe we will have a change. Then again we have the change at the Federal level that is doing so good.

OH, MAN! They've got that part covered I'll bet if you look around a bit you'll find a small sign that reads 'Y'all be keerfil now'

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Don't make me go get my flying monkeys-

T-28 Mike, I remember the first time I went to Hooks and parked near a tree bearing a sign about not feeding the nutria.

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"I love the smell of 100LL in the morning."

I just told I'm here with Cpt. Helmet. Its worked the last two days...... ;-/

Follow up with the airport management, clarify what the ID requirements are.

If they are in line with state / national security requirements, and your ID was sufficient, make a complaint.

If the aren't in line with state / national security requirements, make that your complaint.

Make a complaint about the attitude of the member of staff. He was not maintaining security (because you could've been the distraction while someone went around this clown) but creating a problem.

As an airport user, make a complaint that they have not kept you / this clown / both abreast of the requirements for use of the airport.

Any way you go, you've got grounds for a complaint. If you don't make a formal complaint process of it now, it'll get worse.

Make 'em do an investigation, in writing and report to you, in writing, as a member of the public and airport user, how they do / don't justify their behaviour. If they persist in being silly, handball it to your local rag, with some background. Tell the airport you are going to do that.

As Inspector's said, make waves - and make em big.
HTH.

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James K

"Switch on the underwater landing lights"
Emilio Largo, Thunderball.

www.VintageAeroWriter.com

The previous airport wasn't 5C1... and BTW, Capt. Helmet is pretty well armed! It's been fun having you around.

Ryan

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Aerial Photographer with Red Wing Aerial Photography currently based at KRBD and tailwheel CFI.
Websites: Texas Tailwheel Flight Training, DoolittleRaid.com and Lbirds.com.

The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. - Prov. 21:31 - Train, Practice, Trust.

The real issue at Hooks is that there are big airplanes like G-2's parked on the ramp with absolutly no security, and only a very few minutes from downtown, ...

Canso 42, there are no nutria anymore, the pond is empty with the lack of rain.

Ryan, look me up Hangar X-14. PM me first I am in and out.

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Expert:
Ex: Former.
Spurt: A drip under pressure.

Afraid not Inspector. The sign at the airport entrance with flyers talking about stoping runway incursions (because they cost the mgmt money) has not had any brochures for about two years. The other signs blew down in hurricane Ike, and our crack airport maintenance director does not seem to be too worried about it, because " people don't read signs anyway".

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Expert:
Ex: Former.
Spurt: A drip under pressure.

I had a nice talk with one of the airport managers. I said I understand the security, but we have to all work together. He admitted the person was wrong to not check my credentials.

Kind of funny my plane was almost shot down by the VC, now our own peole try to keep it down.

Hopefully we worked everything out. I would feel real bad if someone overnighted their airplane at our museum and were not able to leave.