Stop LASP

Since the whole reason behind this website was the Large Aircraft Security Program (LASP), I thought I'd tell where we are with that, since SD-8G became such a monster, that's been the major subject at hand.

LASP's comment period is closed, at the time we were told that LASP would soon be in place, as is, where is.

But, contacts from you have caused several things to happen:

1) the alphabet groups realized that playing nice wasn't going to work (originally they wanted to come up with some joint rule).

2) Congress got involved and realized there was a) no threat, b) no civil liberties assesment, c) to quote Rep. Ehlers "it was a stupid idea".

So, the alphabet groups and the TSA got together and since then the whirlwind started.  First of all, SD-8G became the focus of a lot of attention because they bypassed the APA with that and it took effect on the 1st of June.  Second, because the TSA realized it stepped on itself and had save as much face as possible in light of a new Secretary and new administration.

There have been several meeting and, under direction of the budget from Congress, the TSA has decided that perhaps they were a bit rash.. 

Soon you'll see another version of LASP come out as a NPRM, with the associated public comment period.

I would suggest there is still no threat from any GA aircraft, no matter its GTOW and LASP is an unneeded assault on the Constitution and our civil liberties.  Soon there will be a DHS IG report that should say the same thing.

The TSA has a new "GA Liaison"...  to answer your questions within two days, he hopes.

OK, I had some (emailed 19 March at 1719 EDT):  1) What's your background, are you a pilot, are you current, what and where do or did you fly (I'll settle for a type aircraft and region of the country, ex-military, something)?

2) Why hasn't the TSA withdrawn the NPRM given 4500+ negative comments to the public docket?

3) Where's the threat analysis that disproves the Dec 2008 DHS study that said GA wasn't a threat?

4) Where's the civil liberties assesment on LASP?

27 March 1922 EDT time:  No answer yet, standing by...

2 April 0715 EDT:  No answer yet, standing by... original message resent 0718 EDT 2 April

Got an answer, 0933 3 April 2009, excerpts to follow: 

I apologize for the delayed response.  Please understand that this email account was created to establish an effective point of contact between the TSA and the General Aviation Associations leadership, and does not have the resources to respond to each of the hundreds of thousands of GA association members.   

So I guess it's an alphabet only email account, on or about 12 March the TSA announced it's "stakeholder liaison position" according the the AOPA.  To address concerns over recent security measures...

I guess as a GA pilot since 1978, a CFIIMEI and an aircraft owner, I'm not 'stakeholder' enough to be heard.  The 10,000 hours in everything from a J-3, P-51 Mustang, F-16 to airliners aren't 'stakeholder' enough.

Mr. Barnes has 27 years with the US Army (Transportation Corps) and 7 with the TSA, Office of Airspace Waivers and "general aviation community"

I have 34 years with GA, concurrently 15 with the airlines and 8 and a half keeping the skies safe for democracy.

"As for the LASP: The public meetings on the Large Aircraft Security Program (LASP) were completed in January 2009, and the comment period for the NPRM closed on February 27, 2009.  TSA is now in processing and reviewing comments, and will formulate a strategy for the path forward. 

I am not available to provide any further comments on the LASP at this time."