NEWS/CITYDESK NEWS
HIGH ANXIETY Commercial travel becomes more draconian while security guidelines remain lax for private aircraft GEORGE PRENTICE Department, flying state employees across Idaho on a moment’s notice. “The business aviation world is very close-
B EN WILSON
When the most famous pilot in America has a problem with airport security, you know the Transportation Security Administration has a problem. Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger—who famously ditched his passenger jet in New York’s Hudson River in 2009, saving everyone on board—joined his pilots’ union last week in opposing full-body scans, saying “they pose radiation risk.” And alternative hand searches were “embarrassingly devoid of common sense,” said Mike Cleary, president of the Allied Pilots Association. TSA spokesman Dwayne Baird told BW from his regional office in Salt Lake City that his agency is committed to the strict procedures. “We are frequently reminded that our enemy is creative and willing to go to great lengths to evade detection,” said Baird. “We’re committed to intelligence-driven security measures, and that includes advanced imaging technology and the patdown procedure.” Baird said TSA is “doing everything possible to stay ahead of evolving threats.” Well, maybe not everything. Americans are expected to break passenger records on Wednesday, Nov. 24, which is predicted to be the busiest travel day of the year. But it turns out that three out of every four aircraft in the skies that day will have little to no security oversight. “Our guidelines for general aviation are not mandatory,” said Baird. Baird referred to the “recommendations” that TSA offers to general aviation aircraft. There are more than 200,000 GA craft in the United States, including everything from a $65 million business jet to a crop duster to a weekend pilot’s Piper Cub. Baird said private operators are expected to “police themselves” by following TSA’s recommendations. “We’re all concerned about what’s going on with our airplanes,” said Mike Pape. Pape knows as much about air safety as almost anyone in Idaho. Not only does he serve as a commissioner for the Boise Airport, but he’s also a lifetime pilot. Pape has flown the globe for Pan American and Eastern airlines. He also piloted private aircraft for Albertsons and Boise Cascade. Currently, Pape is the director of flight operations for the Idaho Transportation WWW. B OISEWEEKLY.C O M
Number of commercial airports in Idaho: Number of general aviation airports in Idaho:
7 130
Number of general aviation aircraft in the United States: 200,000 (representing 75 percent of all air traffic) Number of certified pilots in the United States: 630,000 (most participating in GA operations)
knit,” said Pape. “It’s a pretty good gig.” But Pape shook his head when asked about the fate of current commercial pilots. “Did you know that a baggage handler at the Boise Airport makes more than the starting salary for a co-pilot of a commercial plane?” As a result, Pape said more pilots are turning to general aviation. And their passengers are following them. “Have you looked at a commercial flight lately? You’ll notice that the first-class section is no longer comprised of the business traveler. It’s the frequent flier being upgraded. More and more, the business traveler is going to private aircraft.” When they do, quite a few business travelers turn to Boise-based Conyan Aviation, flying since 1981. With a current fleet of 10, ranging from passenger jets to small turboprops, Conyan flies businessmen and women across the United States at all hours of the day. “I’d say three-fourths of our passengers are traveling for business,” said Eric Thomas, director of operations for Conyan. “We have 10 fulltime pilots, and at our peak they’re all in the air.” While TSA doesn’t mandate security, Thomas said Conyan does a pretty good job of policing itself. “First, we have strict security training each year for our entire staff: pilots, mechanics, everybody,” said Thomas. “Next, we have additional screening of our passengers through something called our 12-5 security program. That’s for any aircraft over 12,500 pounds.” Every employee at Conyan is cross-checked daily through the TSA advisory list. When BW asked for a tour of the fleet just south of the Boise Airport, Conyan’s security was present. But TSA was nowhere in sight. “TSA does not plan, at this time, to make any of its recommended security measures mandatory for GA operators,” said Baird. But Baird wanted to remind the thousands of passengers who will travel in and out of the Boise Airport over the holidays that TSA considers body scans and pat downs absolutely necessary. Because, in his words, security is imperative “to stay ahead of evolving threats.” But that’s only the case if you’re flying commercial.
BOISE SOLDIER INSISTS: “I DIDN’T MURDER ANYONE” Something terrible happened on Jan. 15 in the small Afghanistan village of La Mohammad Kalay. Someone tossed a U.S. Army grenade at a civilian. Someone else shot a civilian. Army prosecutors say the murderers were part of a “kill team,” made up of members of Bravo Company, Second Battalion, First Infantry Regiment, Fifth Brigade while stationed in Afghanistan’s Kandahar Province. Pfc. Andrew Holmes of Boise is alleged to be one of the killers. Half a world away on Nov. 15, Pfc. Andrew Holmes of Boise was led into a military courtroom and accused of murder, conspiracy and possessing body parts. Special Agent Benjamin Stevenson spoke of his discovery of two human fingers near the living quarters of Holmes and his company. A member of that company, Spc. Ryan Mallett, remembered Jan. 15, saying he saw Holmes fire his weapon at a male Afghan civilian. But in cross examination, Mallett said that Holmes’ shots may have missed the civilian. While witness after witness linked Holmes to the atrocities, Holmes’ defense team dropped a legal bombshell and its aftershock could reach as far the Pentagon. Two Army special agents testified that thencommander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, Gen. Stanley McChrystal, had been updated on the alleged crimes and, in turn, briefed Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai. “It’s awfully troubling when you see indications that a high level of command could be influencing a criminal investigation,” lead defense counsel Dan Conway told Citydesk. As for exactly what happened on Jan. 15, Conway said his client was there but only taking orders. “At the time of the shooting, Pfc. Holmes did not know that his team leader was staging a killing and using Holmes as an unwilling participant,” said Conway. Conway said he asked the Army Court of Criminal Appeals to introduce into evidence a series of photographs of the slain civilian’s body. “These photographs will demonstrate that Pfc. Holmes shot and missed the civilian. There aren’t any bullet holes shot by a machine gun,” Conway told Citydesk. Due to the sensitive nature of the photographs, only descriptions of the pictures have been allowed thus far. “They’re making some very sensational charges,” said Conway. “We want to enter these photographs into the record and not conduct this hearing in secret.” Conway said his client was equally reluctant to handle body parts. “His superior insisted that Pfc. Holmes take a finger [from the corpse],” said Conway. “He never wanted the finger, but he took it and disposed of it soon after.” At the end of a long day of testimony, Conway asked for an unscheduled piece of evidence to be entered into the record: a statement from Holmes. The 20-year-old private stood at attention and faced Investigating Officer Michael Liles. “I didn’t murder anyone,” Holmes said. “I’m proud of my son,” Forest Holmes told Citydesk. “Andy’s a good kid and he’s a good soldier.” —George Prentice
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