TSA Regulations: Flying Armed

Question 1

An armed LEO must meet the requirements of Title 49 CFR, part 1544.219 which are…

Answer 1

1. Be a Fed LEO or full-time municipal, county, state, tribal, or territorial LEO who is a direct employee of a GOV agency. Also includes certain approved railroad LEO.
2. Be sworn and commissioned to enforce criminal or immigration statutes.
3. Be authorized by employing agency to have a weapon in connection w/ assigned duties.
4. Have completed approved TSA “LEO Flying Armed Training Course.”
5. Have a need to have the weapon accessible from the time he/she would otherwise check the weapon, until the time it would be claimed after deplaning.

Question 2

What is the Unique Federal Agency Number (UFAN)?

Answer 2

Unique identifier to ID Fed LEO’s. UFANs are:

(1) 8-character, agency-specific, alphanumeric identifiers known only
(2) known only to TSA, airport PD, and assigned Fed agency/dept.
(3) changed and reissued periodically or in response to suspected or actual compromise of the number.

Question 3

What must a FED LEO present when flying armed?

Answer 3

Credentials, 
Second form of ID
Boarding pass
Airline paperwork
 UFAN to the TSA and/or LEO at security checkpoint for verification.

Question 4

What may a FED LEO access once creds and UFAN number have been verified?

Answer 4

Airport sterile area

Question 5

What are the duties/responsibilities of a pilot in command (PIC)?

Answer 5

Has the duty to protect the passengers, crew, and aircraft. Have authority to make decisions re: emergency landing procedures, emergency diversion locations, and to make decisions re: safe operation of the aircraft.

Question 6

Can a PIC refuse to allow a armed LEO to board for SAFETY reasons?

Answer 6

Yes

Question 7

Can a PIC retain LEOs weapon during the flight?

Answer 7

No.

Question 8

What are the duties/responsibilities of a FAM?

Answer 8

Have the exclusive responsibility to direct LEO activity on an aircraft in-flight to ensure passenger and crew safety.
FAM team may direct other LEOs onboard to assist w/ handling an incident onboard in-flight.

Question 9

What is a Federal Flight Deck Officer?

Answer 9

1. Pilots who volunteer for the FFDO Program are screened, selected, and required to complete a TSA training program.
2. Authorized to carry firearm, use force, up to deadly force, to protect the integrity of the flight deck. This authorization and their jurisdiction is limited to the confines of the flight deck.
3. If a pilot is also an FFDO, they must notify at least one FAM and all armed LEOs onboard

Question 10

What are the duties/responsibilities of a crew member?

Answer 10

1. Fall under the authority of the PIC.
2. Trained to handle most emergencies, to include disruptive passengers, medical emergencies, and other in flight-situations.
3. May request LEO assistance if they are unable to control a particular situation. When deciding what actions to take, LEOs must consider jurisdiction and their agency policy.

Question 11

What considerations should be taken by a LEO for taking action during an act of air piracy or a crime of violence on board a commercial aircraft in flight?

Answer 11

1. LEOs must exercise sound judgment prior to taking any action.
2. LEOs on board commercial aircraft are required to know the identity and seat location of all other armed personnel on board.
3. LEOs decision to respond to an act of air piracy or crime of violence is influenced by a number of factors.
4. Cabin crew is trained to handle most non-life-threatening incidents. Allow them to do so unless they request assistance.
5. If cabin crew requests LEO assistance, the LEO still needs to exercise sound judgment and consider LEO factors such as RS, PC, and the totality of the circumstances.
6. Potential high-jackers may initiate ruses to draw out or ID LEOs.

Question 12

How far ahead of time should a LEO call to notify aircraft operators when escorting prisoners?

Answer 12

24 hours.

Question 13

What should the aircraft operators be notified of when traveling with a prisoner?

Answer 13

ID of the prisoner.
Level of risk the prisoner represents: High-Risk or Low-Risk.
The flight number the LEO and prisoner are scheduled to fly.

Question 14

When escorting a high risk prisoner how many armed LEO do you need?

Answer 14

2 per high risk.

Question 15

How many high risk prisoners can go on a flight?

Answer 15

1 normally but TSA might allow 2 but the ratio will have to be 3:2

Question 16

When escorting a low risk prisoner on a flight that is less then 4 hours how many armed LEO do you need?

Answer 16

1 min for a flight that is scheduled for 4 hours or less, but one armed leo can control 2 prisoners when the flight is less then 4 hrs.

Question 17

When escorting a low risk prisoner on a flight that is more then 4 hours how many armed LEO do you need?

Answer 17

2 min, but may transport 2 low risk prisoners with 2 armed LEOS

Question 18

LEOs travelling armed onboard commercial aircraft must..

Answer 18

Maintain complete control of their weapon at all times.

Keep their weapon concealed and out of view, either on their person or in their immediate reach

Question 19

LEO s travelling armed onboard commercial aircraft must not..

Answer 19

Place their weapon in the overhead bin.

Carry tear gas, OC spray, or similar chemical (self-defense spray) containing an irritant or incapacitating substance through a security checkpoint or in the cabin of a commercial aircraft.

Question 20

Tasers are authorized for…

Answer 20

Commercial air travel, while flying armed.
Authorized for High-Risk or Low-Risk prisoner transport.
Not substitutes for a firearm when escorting High-Risk prisoners.
Should safeguard Tasers as would a firearm.