ASO Security Council Focuses on “Proactive, Not Reactive”

August 5, 2014 - Following Monday’s proclamation from Security chair Capt. Fred Eissler that the council was focusing on being proactive rather than reactive, Tuesday’s security workshops at the Air Safety Forum provided a strong demonstration.

After a brief opening by Eissler and ALPA president Capt. Lee Moak that celebrated the recent security successes (including jumpseat access, KCM, FFDO, and laser awareness), the workshops turned an eye toward the future, showing the pilots in attendance how they can proactively affect security.

Leading off the workshops was Lou Dennis of Tactical Electronics, who provided a lesson on the various types of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and recent examples of use as a means of teaching the pilots what they are up against and what they need to anticipate. Dennis preached situational awareness, or what he called “social acuity,” as the best first-line defense against anticipated threats.

Alan Orlob, vice president of Global Safety and Security for Marriott International, presented “Providing Hospitality Security in an Inhospitable World,” a look at the difficulty of security in another oft-attacked target, the hotel industry. He discussed the types of hotel attacks that have been seen and advised the pilots to do a thorough pre-briefing on the threat level wherever they visit, including a stop on the ALPA website for that information. He shared a quote from former FBI director William Webster: “Security is always too much until the day it’s not enough.”

Following Orlob was Denny Dillard, formerly of the Los Angeles Police Department and TSA and current president of Dillard Group International. Dillard spoke on Crewmember Security and presented a chilling picture of the struggle to maintain security on airlines. He cautioned that on-board threats still remained and encouraged the council to focus on future security issues, including the attempt to allow cell phones during flights.

First Officer Darrin Dorn of Alaska Airlines finished the second day of the meeting, sharing his thoughts on “Personal Safety & Situational Awareness in Today’s Environment.” Dorn encouraged pilots to be aware of the “mental color codes” and avoid obliviousness, instead remaining aware, alert, and engaged. He advocated “match the baseline”—understand your location and don’t stand out. He closed with three rules he said his dad shared with him growing up: (1) don’t go to stupid places, (2) don’t do stupid things, and (3) don’t hang out with stupid people.

Following Dorn’s workshop, the group got a sneak peek at the first of a “Street Smarts” security video series, with a theme of Mindset. ALPA members can watch the video at www.alpa.org/StreetSmarts.

Also included in the day’s events was a presentation by ALPA senior attorney Jay Wells, who examined aviation legislation and reminded pilots that their union is here for them when they’re in need of legal advice. “Call home,” when you’re in trouble, he said. “ALPA is here for pilots.”