Pilot's Keys & Uniform Are Stolen

New York Daily News ^ | 10/31/01 | LEO STANDORA

[kattracks]

etliner cockpit keys, a uniform and a passport belonging to an American Airlines pilot are missing from his car, which was stolen from a Newark Airport parking lot more than a week ago, authorities said yesterday.

Police recovered the 1996 Acura Integra last Wednesday, but no red flags were raised because the car hadn't been reported stolen and cops didn't know the owner was a pilot.

The pilot called police yesterday when he couldn't find the car in Lot F at the airport, where he left it Oct. 19.

Port Authority spokesman Steve Coleman said detectives haven't interviewed the pilot and don't know why he left uniform, keys and passport in the car — or where he went. "I assume he was out of town," Coleman said, "but we don't know if it was a vacation or business."

He said there was no suspicion "at this point" that the theft was linked to possible terrorist activity.

American Airlines spokesman John Hotard declined to say which aircraft the cockpit keys were for.

"The only thing I can tell you is that we have security procedures in place so that we know who's in the cockpit," he added.

Hotard said he was unable to identify the pilot or say why his uniform and keys had been left in the car.

[HEFFERNAN2]

Exactly...I mean you wonder if we have the Three Stooges running this "Homeland Security." Lockdown the borders, put the National Guard at the airports like we have done, Coast Guard at all ports, activate all reservists and put them on the northern and southern borders and start deporting all persons with expired visas, all illegals, nuke Afghanistan and let's get on with our lives for pete's sake. Happy Halloween FReepers! Semper Fi, Mike

[Capt.YankeeMike]

our gubmint will never take your suggestion. its too easy, quick, painless and makes perfect sense, no expect our gubermint to do exactly the opposite. now, get in line please, have your official ID in hand, and your fees ready, now sign these forms in triplicate, and move to the next line.......

[pops88]

What are the odds that those cars will start when needed?

Sally {my} Ride always starts ;)

[KsSunflower]

We've got mideasterners tooling around the midwest with plans from nuclear power plants and being let go. We've got pilots having their uniforms and I.D.'s stolen and it 's no big deal!!! Hello...we're at war! It's all a big deal!!

Ok, I feel much better now.

[Avi8tor]

Also, who knew jetliners had keys? Do they carry tire pressure guages, too?

Yes. And fuzzy dice too. The keys are for the cockpit door; not the ignition.

[2Trievers]

Thanks ... I think everyone needs to lighten up a bit or we'll all explode by Friday!

[Woodstock]

We've had 2 cars in airport parking since July.

Wow, how many cars do you guys have?

[HEFFERNAN2]

Keys? Here we are in the year 2001 and spending millions for the finest jets money can buy and the airlines are still using "keys" to get in the cockpit...I mean even my office has a more secure system than a simple key...and you wonder why moronic towelheads can disrupt the economy of the wealthiest country in existence...we're riding in a Ferrari with a Model T lock on the door. Semper Fi, (but my faith is being taxed more and more every day with the more I learn of how ill prepared we really are), Mike

[Tunehead54]

Uh.... Big Deal - all the planes are keyed alike.

I was kinda hoping that they'd changed that after 9-11.

How hard is it to beef up the cockpit (can I say that?) door hinges, tack a sheet of kevlar to the inside, bolt on a 1/4" steel plate top to bottom and then 2 or three deadbolts to secure the (oops - gotta use it again) cockpit?

Then maybe we could actually install unique locks for each plane. Put a little tag on they keys with the tail number and assign someone sock'em away in a safe between flights.

Really tough. Instead they'll no doubt study it for two years and come up with a "solution". I'm betting $500K per plane.

[swampfx]

bump

[pops88]

Wow, how many cars do you guys have?

2 :)
...and a rental
Now ask me how many places I've called "home" in the last 7 years (hint- something over 50.)

[2Trievers]

I guess it does ... will we need a special permit for that? A special license?

[Cachelot]

Yes. And fuzzy dice too. The keys are for the cockpit door; not the ignition.

So, if someone in a pilot uniform walked up from, say, the back of the plane and unlocked the cockpit door, would the passengers be less likely to jump on him?

[NY.SS-Bar9]

How hard is it to do away with all the "feel good" BS Security and let CCW permit holders fly with a sidearm?

[Atticus]

I. Fire the pilot.

II. Be on the lookout for homeless man in Newark sporting pilot's uniform.

[World'sGoneInsane]

We've had 2 cars in airport parking since July.

I would gander a guess they are not in Newark, or you may only have one and a half, or one car left.
A number of years back, they actually put a car up on blocks and stole the wheels off the car. That was
quite awhile ago, so maybe things have changed--or maybe not--now that they this pilot's car was stolen.