This is an excerpt from a report made to the Aviation Safety Reporting System. The narrative is written by the pilot, rather than FAA or NTSB officials. To maintain anonymity, many details, such as aircraft model or airport, are often scrubbed from the reports.
After landing at Charles M Schulz-Sonoma County Airport (KSTS) in Santa Rosa, California, I cleared the runway at taxiway A4. I contacted Ground Control on 121.9 for “taxi to jet center” for parking.
I could see it straight ahead off to the left, which matched the airport diagram I was reviewing. Ground Control stated “straight ahead.”
I started straight ahead following the yellow taxi line, but after about 100 feet I stopped because of construction equipment ahead and a faded red line.
I called Ground Control and stated “I think you made a mistake, there is nothing but construction ahead.”
I did not get a response from Ground. I then heard Ground Control tell Person A in an airport car to tell the airplane in front of him to turn around.
I called Ground saying I was turning around, but since I could not back up I had to cross over the red line, which had no designated signage on the ground.
Ground Control then gave me progressive directions down another unmarked taxiway direct to another jet center on the other side of the Tower.
The Ground Control car approached me after shutting down and exiting the aircraft, saying that I violated TSA incursion into a designated area.
I mentioned that I was following instructions from the Ground Control and there was not the proper required signage and clear designation on the ground.
When I saw that the instructions given by the Ground Control were not correct, I stopped and asked for clarification.
It was a safety violation by Tower Ground Control to direct me into a secure and hazardous area.
It is also airport negligence for not properly designating the secure area.
This is a safety and security concern that should be mitigated immediately.
Primary Problem: Ambiguous
ACN: 2021497
Meanwhile they pour over the border unchecked. What a pathetic joke this country has become.
Pilots and/or TSA folks are pouring over the border? Or are you just making a political thing that isn’t related to the article at all?
What he said seemed clear enough. TSA is a joke, more worried about peanut butter in your carry-on.
Years ago, I used to fly 135 cargo into Oxnard, CA. There was a redline, boxed off area next to our parking, with something like “restricted” written on it. Nothing else around except an old terminal building. I remember parking and hopping out the old jalopy freighter and then heading for the terminal to hit the head while I waited for the cargo driver. A pickup immediately cut me off and the driver yelled something about arresting me if i walked over that red line. Apparently, they take it very seriously.
Years later, I landed in Inyokern, CA and saw the same type of red line, boxed off area on the ramp. I was sure to park the jet well clear of that area and told my passengers not to walk over that line.
Gee, everyone is so eager to be offended by imaginary power grabs.
The red line is the demarcation between TSA and AirOps legal authority. No overreach here. The contact seems to have been as much informative as accusitorial. No action was taken against the pilot, just a chat.
Clearly TSA and Ground Control didn’t discuss the situation before the contact.
In the end, probably just a bored guy looking to fill the shift with something interesting. Hardly, 1984 stuff going on here.
For the last year things have gone nuts with constant meetings about TSA /FAA policy with more rules and enforcement concerning businesses and contractors working on the airports, to include fingerprints.
Even questioning the undervalued leasing of hangars and buildings, which could jeopardize airport funding. What they consider market value would leave those facilities empty.
Also want lists of airworthy aircraft and what is done to secure them, plus lists of unairworthy aircraft, which includes the retired airliners without engines waiting for shredding.
This after the 31 years I’ve had an aircraft and been a utility contractor on this airport with zero incidents having ever occurred.
In an early meeting airport security stated they want the businesses to help with compliance, that they had the FAA list of discrepancies, but they can’t tell us what’s on the list…..okay!
WHICH “jet center?” There are two of them.
It’s always nice to hear from the professionals in all of this. By professionals I mean the pilots. When I first started flying in any amount I was told to always keep enough ASRS forms in the flight bag. I did, and used them a lot.
Agree 100% with the stated opinions on TSA.
They belong on the Air Carrier side, away from the real operations.
Some airports are kind of complicated to taxi across, reminds me of a bit by Ron White, something about ” ..as we taxied past the hair care salon and tire center, eventually past the flower shop and custom furniture store”…..
When I get confused while taxiing I just stop and make everyone wait while the dumbass (me) gets perfectly clear instructions that even my passenger can understand, only after my passenger has approved then we proceed.
They can all wait.
cheers!
Captain Randall Graff DAL ret. Another classic overreach by the TSA. This pilot did all he could in this situation and some penguin on the ground found it necessary to raise an issue.
TSA requires certain ramps be designated SIDA security areas that proper screening is required to enter. Air carrier ramps at terminals are this. You cannot land and taxi up to the gate to drop someone you’ll both be arrested. Yes GC should have given you better instruction especially with construction in the area. Also be more specific as to which FBO you are heading to.
What the hell has the TSA to do with taxi ways and taxiing airplanes…sounds like another power grab by the security stooges who see a threat in a cigarette butt on the ground. I hope never to have another encounter with that thieving ignoramus gang as long as I live.
The audio needs to be provided for the conversation between the tower and the pilot to see who is right in the situation. There are two sides to every conversation and the audio will tell.
TSA does not control air traffic. ATC / FAA is the agency. Iß TSA now a rouge government?
Taking thier lead from the BATF.
another gang of second amendment violators
Second amendment violators? What is wrong with you?
Wait, what?
I see red everywhere there is a rogue government affect!