Urgent! Need Help With Tsa Trying To Revoke My Aviation Cerrtificates, FBI, TSA, FAA Infringing on my GOD given rights to fly Options

[aviationluver]

Hello fellow brothers and sisters,

I don't have time to write out all the details, so, this is an abbreviated version. I am (or was) a regional airline First Officer.

In July, I was returning from a part-business, part-vacation trip from Europe. I cabin jump-seated on US Airways from Olso to Philadelphia on July 31, 2010.

Upon arrival, I noticed the Customs Agents scanning my passport turning white as a ghost while he was clicking through 4 pages of notes. This had never happened to me before. The Customs Agent told me I needed to go to a Secondary Screening area. In the Secondary Screening Area, the Customs Agents found a taser and pepper spray in my CHECKED BAG, which is perfectly legal. The Customs Agents began freaking out and starting asking me personally invasive questions about my trip to Europe. Then the Agents let me go. I went to the gate to jumpseat on a flight from Philadelphia to Phoenix. While waiting for my flight, 2 Federal Air Marshalls came up from behind me and demanded I go with them. I refused. I asked what their concern was. They told me I had come through Customs with Pepper Spray and a Taser in my checked bag. I stated that I did and that my actions were perfectly legal. The marshals agreed. The Marshals then proceeded to ask me personally invasive questions that I had already answered to the Customs Agents earlier. The Marshals let me go, followed me to the gate and let me sit in the cockpit for my Philadelphia to Phoenix flight. The flight from Philly to Phoenix landed without incident.

The next day, I got a call from my Chief Pilot stating that TSA demanded that my work badge be invalidated and seized. The next day, an Air Marshal came to my home and took my badge and my ATP and Medical Certificate. The following day, August 2, 2010, TSA sent me a letter stating that I was a terrorist suspect and that they (TSA) was revoking my certificates. Also, the FAA sent me a letter stating that the TSA had ordered them (the FAA) to immediately suspend my certificates.

Since then, I've been placed on UNPAID LEAVE from my airline. My airline, union have not helped me that much. Also, I've been having trouble finding lawyers because most lawyers do not have experience with this type of law.

As of this post, I should have a call from the Coast Guard Administrative Law Judge handling this case. I have repeatedly contacted TSA asking for evidence. The TSA has not provided any evidence.

I was wondering if anyone can help me with information on:

NEGATIVE AVERMENTS
Legal Procedures in a Coast Guard Court
Experienced lawyers who could work pro-bono as my savings have been diminished

Does TSA have jurisdiction over my FAA certificates? I don't think so.

Anything else you can think of, please contact ASAP, preferably thru PM.

Thank you and GOD bless.

[albertchampion]

ARE YOU A MUSLIM? A NEGRO?

if you are, this would explain a lot of things. how old are you? and where have u traveled over the last decade? mostly to islamic countries? if so, that puts u on a very select list.

i would say that you need legal counsel. no matter what. got money? if you do, then you can hire the best. if u don't have money, and must defend yourself[if your union won't defend you], then i think you are going to have to find a new job. i understand waste management is hiring.

closing, what would your cv tell the tsa about you?

[IslandPilot]

Man, that is really bad news. You are now just another victim of the 9/11 attack.
And the consequences of that event just keep on coming.

I still can't understand how or why the FAA just "gives in" to whoever comes along and takes over their area of responsibility.

If they let TSA take away pilot licenses, without any of their WELL ESTABLISHED PROCEEDURES, is just VERY, VERY, WRONG!

And they let the FBI investigate events that were described as Airplane Crashes. I guess, if real airplanes weren't actually used for the 911 Attacks, then I imagine the NTSB and FAA investigators would have figured that out.

If TSA really thinks you are a TERRORIST, then they should have detained you and locked you up. Your Pilot's License has nothing to do with them.

The alleged All quieda highjackers didn't have valid pilot licenses. How does taking YOUR pilot's license away, protect the public if you really ARE a terrorist, planning to highjack and aircraft?? That makes no sense to me.

And how is some kind of COAST GUARD Court procedure going to restore your license?

Normally, the FAA has to go through a lot of proceedures to take away a person's pilot license.

Their first step is sending you a "Letter of Investigation", which describes their complaints against you, what you did wrong. And that letter does give a brief description of the options available to you.

The next step is usually an "informal conference", (If you agree with this). You and your accusers discuss your case before an FAA Enforcement Officer or Administrative Law Judge... and this can be done over the phone, with, or without a lawyer.

And if the Decision reached by this procedure is not acceptable to you.... there are usually 2 or 3 more Appeal procedures after that.

How can the FAA "Order" you to surrender your license, without following their own procedures? That Sucks.

I had to go through through the first part of their procedure, and I guess I was lucky because having a lawyer with me, did seem to help. I never worked for a major airline. I have my own Part 135 Air taxi operation.

I have been a member of AOPA for quite a while and when I started flying for a living, I knew it would only be a matter of time until I would need some kind of Aviation Related Legal Help. So, I paid AOPA a few extra bucks (about $60/yr.), for their Legal Assistance Insurance Plan.

I imagine you've already contacted ALPA and possibily NATA. I know that NATA has some darn good Aviation Attorneys. My former employer was a NATA member and had reason to consult with their Attorneys a few times. And I attended a NATA weekend seminar with him that covered Legal Issues concering Commercial Aircraft Pilot Operations and Maintence activities.

I'm pretty sure I haven't helped you out too much here, but I know what it feels like to be wrongly accused of something, that impacts my ability to earn a living doing something I actually ENJOY doing.

I'm pulling for you!
I hope things work out for you.

Island Pilot

[tnemelckram]

Hi Aviationluver!

Sorry to hear about this I have a few questions.

1. The letters from the TSA and FAA probably recite the Federal statues (USC) and/or regulations (CFR) that they claim gives them this authority. What statutes and regulations do they cite in the letters?

2. What statute or regulation or other thing do you rely on when you say having the TASER and pepper spray in a checked bag is legal?

3. Did they seize these items before letting you on the second plane?


Off the top of my head, If TSA and/or FAA have no authority to do this, your fastest remedy might be to file a suit in Mandamus in Federal Court. Mandamus is a form of action that allows a judge to compel a government functionary to do what the law requires and might be appropriate in a case where they are acting without lawful authority. One problem that might cause the court to dismiss the suit could be that you already have a "legal remedy" under the Coast Guard administrative procedures, even if they are acting without authority.

[amazed!]

You very badly need an attorney, and it's probably too late.

The Leviathan has declared you PNG, and in this day and age, your aviation career is pretty well over.

Good luck, but you need a lawyer last month.

[michael72]

Aviationluver, I am sure everyone agrees this BS should not be going on. I think the TSA is acting under directives outside the real legal arenas. I am late finding this, but perhaps Dan Hanley (see Members) "airline pilots whitleblowers" may have suggestions as to a lawyer. I would not certainly fight the system, as it is un-American-especially since the war on terror and the TSA, Homeland "cover our asses" Security are a fraud since the attacks that are the excuse for creating these monsters are a fraud. You might consider contacting your Congressman and Senators, perhaps personally visit them and get them to put pressure on TSA/FAA...keep us up to date. ...Post your story on Youtube maybe. Get publicity pressure on your side... enlist your church, if you attend one.

[michael72]

...typo, I would fight the system..."

[Paul]

What where you doing on the plane with pepper spray and a taser? Where you afraid of a terrorist take over of the plane and felt that you
needed to carry something to subdue any wannabe terrorist hijackers? Bottom line is you shouldnt be carrying these items aboard a plane
whether it is legal or not. whether you fear a terrorist take over of the plane, regardless people are going to naturally very suspicious of anyone carrying these items aboard a plane it almost like carry a knife or a gun onboard a plane but not quiet as bad. They probably though you where a terrorist because (1) You where carry items that could be used to subdue flight attendants and passengers (2) You have a pilots liscense a FAA certificate which would allow you to take control of and successfully fly the plane crash it do whatever you want to do with it, just supposing you could actually successfully hijack a comercial airliner by yourself which i think would be very hard if not impossible. Did you explain to the customs agents why you where really carrying the offending items? So really why where you carrying these offending items aboard a commercial airliner? I would really like to know the answer to this question?

Really i am sorry to say that i feel as though you bought this upon yourself, the point is you should not have been carrying these items.
Maybe you should have declared you where carrying them before boarding the plane and stated the reason why you where carrying them.
I would never do a thing as stupid as carrying these items never, if i did i suspect i would probably be arrested by the AFP or other police
and that is in Australia.

[shawnehamilton]

I'm afraid I can be of no help in your situation, but as a reporter I am trying to learn as much as I can about apparent TSA abuses and your situation certainly seems to qualify. I attended a small protest recently at the Sacramento Interntional Airport and noted that pilots were more sympathetic to the protestors than others. I suspect it's because they know things of which average citizens are blissfully unaware.

I'm trying to contact pilots who would be willing to talk to me--either on or off the record--about TSA-related issues. You can verify my credentials online as I am a member of the California Capitol Correspondents Association and file for KPFA Radio.

I'd really appeciate any leads you can offer--even anonymous ones if they're legitimate. This is a very important developing story and I plan to pursue it. I really appreciate any help you can give me.


Shawn E. Hamilton
shawn@theswillbucket.com
www.theswillbucket.com

[amazed!]

Blissfully Unaware is the perfect description of so many humans.

(IMG:http://pilotsfor911truth.org/forum/style_emoticons/default/cheers.gif)