Oppose FFDO Cuts! President Obama’s 2013 budget blueprint cut the
funding for the FFDO program by more than half and also cut $36 million from the
FAMS program. This is unsatisfactory and needs to be remedied.
The FFDO program is a critical and cost-efficient airline security program
staffed by thousands of fully trained and deputized ALPA pilots who volunteer
their time to become qualified FFDOs, contributing personal and professional
sacrifices to secure our flight decks. In light of its already barely adequate
funding levels, any budget reduction to the FFDO program could very well lead to
its ultimate demise.
Tell your representative today to oppose cuts to the FFDO and FAMS in the FY2013
budget.
When dealing with terrorism, the deterrent value of an armed presence within
the cockpit cannot be overstated. Today, thousands of fully trained and
deputized ALPA pilots defend more than 100,000 flight segments per month. ALPA
appreciates the inherent difficulties of reducing our federal budget deficit.
However, the result of this proposed budget cut would be a
reduction in the number of federal air marshals currently assigned to frontline
duties protecting airline flights, and the possible demise of the FFDO program.
Nearly a decade ago, the FFDO program was invented by ALPA and instituted by
Congress through the Arming Pilots against Terrorism Act (P.L. 107-296).
We remain committed to the success of the program and will fight to ensure
that the program not only survives, but that it is funded sufficiently so that
it thrives.
Read
ALPA president Capt. Lee
Moak’s letter to the
House Committee on Appropriations, requesting increased FFDO funding.
Read the newly revised ALPA white paper titled
“Recommendations to
Improve the Federal
Flight Deck Officer
Program.” |