Effective April 30, 2009 the TSA is implementing sweeping security changes at airports that host commercial traffic. Think that won’t affect you? Think again. Flying to Worcester, New Haven, Hanscom, Albany, White Plains, Nantucket, Martha’s Vinyard, and Stewart will be affected, as well as learning and practicing at Bradley.
Separate security clearances will be required at every commercial airport.
A new web site www.aviatorsforliberty.org is being developed to address the continuing encroachment of our right to travel. So far, AOPA, EAA and NBAA haven’t posted comments on this change. The first public meeting to explain the implementation was held at Montrose County Airport in Colorado. The alarming summary of the meeting is circulating on many internet message boards. The proposed rules are not available for public inspection or comment since at the meeting the TSA emphasized this was a Security Directive thus circumvents any rule making procedures. The AOPA message forum has an active thread on the subject.
As always, it looks like airline interest political contributions have paid off for them. This will make private flying more difficult which takes away a major disadvantage the airlines have luring high-profit business and first class customers.