The Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS) has informed ALPA’s Aviation Security chair, Capt. Fred Eissler, that funding is available for new slots to train new Federal Flight Deck Officers during Fiscal Year (FY) 2012. The FFDO program has a large number of initial training slots to fill prior to September 30 (the end of FY2012) and the FAMS has requested our assistance to recruit candidates to fill these available slots.

This is a fast track opportunity for anyone interested in becoming an FFDO. Three initial training classes are scheduled for September. Each class will be held at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Artesia, N.M., and is one week in duration (Sunday through Saturday). FAMS has informed ALPA that prior to applying you must be certain that you will be able to attend at least one of the classes prior to submitting your name.

Specific class dates are September 9-15, September 16-22, and September 23-29.

If you have the availability and desire to attend one of the classes in September, please send an e-mail to FFDO@alpa.org with the following information: name, pilot certificate number, e-mail address, contact phone number, airline employer, current A/C type, and desired class dates in order of preference.

All names will be forwarded to the FAMS in the order they are received, and a return e-mail will be sent confirming your request has been forwarded. After interim background checks, the FAMS will select eligible candidates for the September class dates. There are no guarantees as to selection.

Upon successful completion of a full background check, you’ll be finalized into the FFDO program. Candidates are responsible for their own transportation to/from Artesia, and must also cover the cost of meals and lodging at FLETC (approximately $34 per day). The FFDO program covers the cost of training and equipment.

The FFDO website “Dashboard” is a secure, web-based scheduling and communication tool used by the FAMS to oversee the FFDO program, which is presently not operational. Since successful FFDO program trainees cannot be issued credentials, weapons or function as an active FFDO until the revised Dashboard is up and running, FAMS plans to have participants complete the initial training at Artesia and then go to a requalification site of their choice to be issued credentials and weapon once the new Dashboard is complete. The FAMS will be working on the Dashboard with a new contractor in August, and this is a top priority.

This information is being promulgated simultaneously by ALPA and other pilot organizations to their respective members. These classes represent the only remaining FFDO initial training opportunities for FY2012. Slots are limited and we do not know when this opportunity will come again, so interested pilots should apply as soon as possible, but not later than August 14.