Only a Few to Fly Private Planes to Reagan - WTOP Radio
Ok folks, we have people running around crowing about the "win for general aviation" in that we're now being allowed to fly back into DCA. But take a look at these ridiculously lame rules that one must follow. How many of we "little people" will be able to fly one of those four flights per hour for 12 hours per day, with flight crews who have all been fingerprinted and background checked, AND fly to DCA ONLY from one of 12 other airports in the US, AND have an armed law enforcement officer on board? How does that law enforcement officer get from DCA back to, let's say Seattle? Who can afford to pay for all of that?
And let's just put ONE IOTA of thought into this. These extra specially trained TSA agents could easily be knocked over the head by some would be bad guy, who would then impersonate said agent, happily get onto the aircraft, and since they are required to be armed, pull out their happy fun service weapon and what do you think could happen, eh?
Five years later and the terrorists are still winning. Stupid security abounds and we're no safer today than we were 9/10/01.
Only a Few to Fly Private Planes to Reagan - WTOP Radio: "
By LESLIE MILLER
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - The loudest applause for Wednesday's announcement that Reagan National Airport will be open to private planes came from people most likely to use Washington's most convenient runways.
The airport, just a few miles from the Capitol and the White House, has been closed to private planes since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
Ed Bolen, president of the National Business Aviation Association, characterized the typical private user of the airport as someone in business with "important interests on Capitol Hill, the Pentagon, the executive branch and downtown companies."
Added Rep. Harold Rogers, R-Ky.: "It's a very important aspect of American political life."
"We are ecstatic," said James Coyne, president of the National Air Transportation Association.
Only people who can afford to comply with the strict security rules are expected to fly aboard private planes into the airport.