[Joe Marine 76]

TSA does not "clear" police, agents, air marshals or Federal Flight Deck Officers for air travel at security checkpoint: Airport Law Enforcement Officials (LEO) check the police, special agents, marshals etc. credentials and sign them in. The screw up here lies with the local airport LEO.

[stylin19a]

thanx for the info...sorry for my mis-directed disgust.

[Integrityrocks]

I am speechless. This is really bad.

[stylin19a]

Upon further review....from TSA web-site:

National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System Notification for Law Enforcement Officers Flying Armed

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in an effort to further enhance the security measures in place in airports nationwide will be instituting a pilot program designed to strengthen the ability of TSA staff to verify the identity of individuals who arrive at the TSA Screening Checkpoint and identify themselves as a Law Enforcement Officers (LEO) authorized to fly with their firearm.

The pilot begins on April 15th and continues through July 15th. During the pilot, TSA is requesting that all Federal, state and local law enforcement officers traveling via commercial aircraft while armed provide advance notification to TSA via the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS). TSA is requesting that the LEO or his/her office send an administrative message via NLETS, containing the traveling LEO's name, flight information and mission need to fly armed (required for State/local only). TSA's Originating Agency Identifier (ORI) Number is VATSA1200.

TSA will generate an immediate confirmation message to the LEO. The LEO should bring this confirmation message in addition to the following items: badge/credential, a second form of government identification and the air carrier's Notice of LEO Flying Armed form to the TSA screening checkpoint. State and local LEOs are still required to present a letter from his/her agency authorizing them to fly armed. Participation in this project is voluntary. LEOs authorized to fly armed who present themselves at the screening checkpoint without a TSA confirmation message will be permitted to fly armed after TSA or local law enforcement personnel review their identification, required forms and ask several questions of the LEOs. Once cleared, the LEO will enter his/her information in the logbook maintained at the checkpoint and proceed into the sterile area.

It appears clearance is by LEO or TSA.