WASHINGTON, 2014-8-11 — /Travel PR News/ —The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) issued the following statement today from ALPA president Capt. Lee Moak in response to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announcement that it will transfer Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO) Program oversight to the assistant administrator for Training and Workforce Engagement (TWE).
“The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l is pleased that the Transportation Security Administration has placed responsibility for the Federal Flight Deck Officer Program under the oversight of the assistant administrator for Training and Workforce Engagement. The TWE was created to centralize the TSA’s technical, leadership, and workforce programs.
“TSA’s decision to bring the program under TWE is positive action to ensure that FFDOs receive the strongest possible training. The ability of the FFDO Program to achieve its mission is directly linked to the quality of the pilot volunteers’ training. For that reason, ALPA has the highest confidence in TSA Administrator John Pistole’s decision.
“In addition, the move under TWE oversight will enhance a program that has already proven to be tremendously successful. The FFDO Program, which ALPA advocated for and helped create following the attacks of 9/11, uses airline pilot volunteers to protect the security of the flight deck. FFDOs are highly trained and deputized law enforcement officers.
“Every day, FFDOs efficiently and effectively safeguard thousands of flights. The FFDO Program truly represents an outstanding example of government and labor cooperation.”
Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s largest pilot union, representing more than 51,000 pilots at 31 airlines in the United States and Canada. Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org or follow us on Twitter @WeAreALPA.
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CONTACT: ALPA Media, 703/481-4440 or Media@alpa.org