Stein & Baltimore, LLC

TSA Seeks Comment on 'Identity-Based' Screening

2011-03-22T17:08:00.000-07:00

AFP

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is soliciting comments about a planned program that would cut down on controversial pat-downs and full-body scanner searches at airports and instead rely on an "intelligence" system that focuses on people who have been identified as a threat.

The move would eventually allow some frequent fliers to obtain trusted status similar to what's been granted pilots, who pushed for faster security checks and also expressed concern about being exposed to radiation at the body scanner machines. Now pilots traveling in uniform on airline business for a U.S. carrier have astreamlined process for security screening.

The TSA's official Blogger Bob is asking for suggestions and comments about the proposed "identity-based" system as it would apply to the general public.

"Physical screening will likely never go away completely, but the idea of adding identity-based security makes good sense and it's an idea we're actively exploring. So, we'd like to hear your suggestions and ideas,'' Bob says.

The blog comes weeks after TSA Administrator, and former FBI agent, John Pistole told a group of American Bar Association lawyers that the agency is attempting to move more into intelligence on passengers who pose a threat rather than making air travel unpleasant for all of the 628 million people who are screened in the U.S. each year.

"At the airport, numerous layers of security are in place. There are behavior detection officers, explosive-detection canines and closed-circuit video surveillance. And, of course, we do have the physical screening at the checkpoint,'' Pistole told the assembled lawyers in his speech.

"We want to focus our limited resources on higher-risk passengers, while speeding and enhancing the passenger experience at the airport,'' Pistole said in his remarks.

by Michele McPhee
AOL Travel.

Annual Meeting of Stein & Baltimore, LLC

2011-03-18T16:09:00.000-07:00

We take our work very seriously!

Japan Travel Crippled reports USA TODAY

2011-03-14T12:06:00.000-07:00

Japan travel still crippled following quake

UPDATED: Monday, 10:45 a.m ET

By Laura Bly, USA TODAY

With a death toll expected to surpass 10,000, fears of radiation leaks from damaged power plants, and dozens of strong aftershocks following Friday's devastating 8.9 earthquake and tsunami, travel to and within Japan remains crippled.

The U.S. State Department is advising Americans to avoid travel until April 1, noting that "strong aftershocks are likely for weeks." In an alert updated March 13, the department said it was not aware of any casualties among the estimated 160,000 Americans in Japan, including about 1,300 in the prefectures most affected by the quake and tsunami. The offshore epicenter of Friday's quake, which has been followed by more than 100 aftershocks, is about 200 miles north of Tokyo near the coastal city of Sendai.

A March 14 State Department warden message, meanwhile, said the "Japanese government is asking the public to reduce the amount of electric power usage as much as possible and not to go out unless necessary. TEPCO advises residents in the Kanto area (comprising the seven prefectures of Gunma, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Saitama, Tokyo, Chiba, and Kanagawa) to avoid traveling, to conserve electricity as much as possible even outside of the Kanto area, and to avoid driving because traffic signals may be out. Due to the blackouts, trains and subways in Tokyo are cutting back on their service. Reduced service will impact commuters during rush hour as well as throughout the day and night."

Flights are departing with some delays from Tokyo's Narita and Haneda airports, the State Department said. Many airlines are letting passengers delay their trips to Japan without penalties; on Sunday, Delta extended its travel waiver for flights through March 20, while both United and American's waivers are good through March 18.

Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea resorts, where some 20,000 people were stranded overnight following Friday's quake, reported no injuries or major damage but will remain closed for about 10 days, reports the Japan Times.

Roy Liao of California-based Super Value Tours, which had about 200 clients in Japan when the quake struck, said that all are safe and have either left the country or are continuing on their scheduled itineraries. The company has canceled departures to Japan through March 15.

While communications disruptions make it "difficult to get a clear picture," Liao said " we're hearing really positive reports for Tokyo, Kyoto, Kobe and Osaka," the primary destinations for most U.S. visitors. One major problem, he added, is that the closure of major highways has hobbled airport access: "A trip from Tokyo to Narita that normally takes two hours was eight hours," he said.

Sky Whitehead, a Los Angeles-based business development manager who arrived in Japan last week, was about to enter an office elevator in Tokyo's Toronomon district when the quake struck Friday. "There wasn't a lot of panic, but it was pretty intense," Whitehead said Saturday. Despite fears of rolling blackouts because of power cuts from nuclear power plants closer to the epicenter, Whitehead said the city is "apprehensively, cautiously getting back to normal." He plans to return to the U.S. as scheduled next Wednesday.

All ports in Japan remain closed; Cunard canceled the Queen Mary 2's scheduled call at Nagasaki Saturday and Azamara Club Cruises has canceled its planned Sunday call in Osaka.

"The entire country of Japan is still assessing the extent of the damage caused by the earthquake and tsunami," the line notes in a statement. "While initial reports suggest that Kyoto (Osaka) did not sustain major damage, we feel that the recent events and continuing aftershocks have the potential to seriously disrupt Azamara Quest's experience and our operations in port."

About 8.6 million foreign tourists visited Japan last year, including 727,000 Americans.

Posted Mar 13 2011 5:02PM

Moving Toward A New Avgas

2011-02-21T06:35:00.000-08:00

Unleaded avgas could spell "massive changeover"
The Environmental Protection Agency's call for unleaded aviation gas could be a game changer for general aviation, according to some executives. "This industry is dealing with a massive changeover situation, and people don't seem to realize how big this issue is," said Lycoming senior vice president and CEO Mike Kraft. Flying (02/2011)

House Cuts AIP Funding

2011-02-18T06:32:00.000-08:00

Airlines praise House version of FAA bill

On Friday, House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman John Mica, R-Fla., released the House version of the FAA reauthorization bill. "This is a lean bill that recognizes our current budgetary difficulties and the need to do more with less," Mica said in a statement. "This bill saves $4 billion, requiring FAA to find significant cost savings without negatively impacting safety." The House measure does not include a passenger facility charge increase or labor provision opposed by FedEx and UPS, and it would phase out the Essential Air Service program except for Alaska and Hawaii. Reuters (02/11)AviationWeek.com (02/12) Dallas Morning News, The (free registration) (02/11) Hill, The (02/11)

CSN Review... Coming Soon!

2011-02-17T13:42:00.000-08:00

The good folks over at CSN stores contacted us recently about doing a review over here at Stein & Baltimore, LLC.

Although reviews unrelated to aviation are not something we usually do, we've purchased items from CSN in the past and have nothing but wonderful things to say about them - so how could we refuse?

If you are not familiar with the CSN family of stores, go take a look!

Do you need a new swing set for the kids? Or perhaps you plan to make some updates around the office and wish to browse a huge selection of modern decor... and right from the comfort of your office chair! Whatever you're after, CSN has over 200 websites to quickly and efficiently provide you with exactly what you're looking for!

Community Supports Balloon Companies

2011-02-17T12:31:00.000-08:00

Hot-air balloonists buoyed by community support in Calif.

The Eldorado Polo Club in Indio, Calif., will hold a Save the Balloons fundraiser on Feb. 27. A local olive farm has filed numerous lawsuits against balloonists to ground hot-air balloons from flying over the farm. "This is what needed to happen, as far as the community coming out and showing its support," said Wil LaPointe, a pilot with Balloons Above. Desert Sun (Palm Springs, Calif.), The (02/13)

A Funny Email We Received...

2010-02-04T15:00:00.000-08:00

A teacher was arrested today at John F. Kennedy International Airport as he attempted to board a flight while in possession of a ruler, a protractor, a compass, a slide-rule and a calculator.

At a morning press conference, the Attorney General said he believes the man is a member of the notorious Al-Gebra movement. He did not identify the man, who has been charged by the FBI with carrying weapons of math instruction.

"Al-Gebra is a problem for us," the Attorney General said. "They derive solutions by means and extremes, and sometimes go off on tangents in search of absolute values." They use secret code names like 'X' and 'Y' and refer to themselves as "unknowns", but we have determined that they belong to a common denominator of the axis of medieval with coordinates in every country.

As the Greek philanderer Isosceles used to say, 'There are 3 sides to every triangle'.

When asked to comment on the arrest, President Obama said, "If God had wanted us to have better weapons of math instruction, he would have given us more fingers and toes." White House aides told reporters they could not recall a more intelligent or profound statement by the President. It is believed that the Nobel Prize for Physics will follow.

TSA revises LASP proposal

2010-01-06T15:46:00.000-08:00

TSA revises LASP proposal

06-Jan-2010

By Matt Thurber

While the business aviation community may have been hoping that the Transportation Security Administration’s controversial Large Aircraft Security Program (LASP) would go away, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano testified last month that the TSA plans to issue a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) “before the end of 2010.”

LASP, as originally proposed in October 2008, would require all operators of Part 91 aircraft with an mtow of more than 12,500 pounds to create a TSA-approved security program (see article page 12), put all flight crew through FBI criminal history background checks, compare all passengers against the TSA’s watch lists and impose new restrictions on carriage of certain items in the cabin.

Napolitano told the Senate aviation subcommittee that the TSA will incorporate the input from GA stakeholders that it has sought throughout its rulemaking process for the SNPRM, including five public meetings, and hold “additional comment outreach sessions” with affected stakeholders to gain further input and feedback.

Late last summer, the agency re-engaged its aviation security advisory committee (ASAC), a part of the TSA that is charged with recommending improvements in security methods, equipment and procedures for civil aviation.

Government and industry officials received an update on the proposed LASP that was rescinded earlier in the year after a storm of overwhelming negative comments, which some have estimated at nearly 7,400. Napolitano said the TSA received 8,000 comments in response to the initial NPRM.

NBAA enlisted members to testify before Congress about their concerns with LASP. In July, Martha King, co-owner of association member King Schools, told the House subcommittee on transportation security and infrastructure protection that general aviation operators are concerned about security measures that sacrifice liberty without benefit to society.

“This proposal does not recognize the significant differences between airline operations and noncommercial operations, which do not carry members of the general public,” she explained. “General aviation operators personally know everyone on their aircraft. I believe general aviation security would be best enhanced by having the TSA establish a rulemaking committee to address the questions and concerns raised by industry and the public on the LASP.”

Source: AIN Online

Our Secret Santa Brought To Us...

2009-12-18T18:46:00.000-08:00

We had a lot of fun participating in the 'Last Chance' Christmas Gift Exchange, which was hosted by Eve at Tranquility... and Turmoil.

As Eve is part of this company, she felt that someone else might have trouble discerning what we would be interested in because we're a business blog and asked if she could partner us with someone who knew us. We agreed...

And we were very happy to find out that Mike was our Secret Santa!
Look at what he sent!

You can't tell from the photo, but this is one heavy airplane - cast iron! And about 7 inches long.

The perfect gift for aviation enthusiasts.

Thanks Mike!

We are looking forward to checking out the other pages to see what everyone has received!

Merry Christmas!

Some 'Last-Chance' Christmas Fun!

2009-11-13T11:03:00.000-08:00

We're participating in the
'Last Chance' Secret Santa Gift Exchange...

Come on over to Tranquility... and Turmoil
and join us for some Christmas fun!

NBAA, Security Meetings and Photos

2009-10-28T12:14:00.000-07:00

The consulting team had a wonderful time at NBAA, albeit a short one. Mark and Mike both had to return to flying on the 21st.

Mark presented our concerns and ideas to the annual meeting of the NBAA Security Council, including the need for GenAv to take ownership of general aviation security. In addition, risk assumptions by underwriting must be a key component in the development of loss and risk mitigation relative to GenAv security programs and protocols.

GenAv and underwriting hold the core competencies and understand the dynamics of GenAv, its stakeholders and needs. This knowledge base is generally lacking in Government agencies that are typically reactionary by nature and design.

The exhibit hall was noticeably more spread out this year, reflecting reductions in participation. A good portion of this is understandably due to the economic downturn. But lets not forget Congressional comments (and media participation) in helping to accelerate the decline; this being the same Congress who is provided free use of corporate aircraft to get home and other functions. Thanks folks!

Remember those of us in general aviation (including corporate) vote too. I’m sure a reminder of that fact will be coming your way next year. Enjoy!!

Mark’s flight department was invited for cocktails and dinner by Air BP at the JW Marriott Resort. We met up with Ron Reynolds, Operations Manager at Million Air Burbank. This is Mark’s choice of FBO at Burbank for their consistent top-shelf service. We had a great time.

Other folks we ran into included Jan D’Angelo, VP of Chartis, with whom we have been discussing underwriting’s role GenAv security, and Jill Wells, Assistant Manager of El Aero Services in Carson City, Nevada where Mark’s flight department is based. He speaks very highly of this FBO and the staff.

The NBAA Conference - We're back from Florida.

2009-10-27T17:37:00.000-07:00

We are back from Florida.
The NBAA Conference and Trade Show was a wonderful experience.
We will be posting photos very soon.

Aviation Security

2009-10-15T18:24:00.000-07:00

We take your aviation security concerns very seriously!

While we constantly pursue knowledge in striving to enhance the depth of our competencies, we stick with what we know. We don’t rely on arbitrary supposition in hope of successful outcomes, but dedicate ourselves to our client’s demands for successful outcomes. Any other approach is unacceptable.

In order to exceed the needs of our clients, Stein and Baltimore, LLC is focused on our core competencies. We are not a "one-size-fits-all" organization and we do not waste valuable resources trying to outdo potential competitors; we stand on our own.

At Stein and Baltimore, LLC, we limit our business to General Aviation Security, Operations, Part 119/135 program development, Business Aviation Business Development and General Aviation Human Resources.

NBAA CONVENTION

2009-10-15T12:54:00.000-07:00

Stein And Baltimore, LLC will be speaking at the NBAA Convention in Florida on Monday, October 19th, 2009 at the Hilton Orlando.

What We Do at Stein And Baltimore, LLC.

2009-10-15T12:13:00.000-07:00

Stein & Baltimore, LLC provides the following services for the General Aviation Industry:

General Aviation Airport Security Assessments and Security Program Development

Corporate Operation Security Assessments and Security Program Development

Airport Operator (FBO) Security Assessments and Security Program Development

Security Training for Employees and Leadership within General Aviation

Small Part 119/135 Security Consulting

Part 119/135 Certification Assistance

IS-BAO Operator Program Development

MSM Operator Program Development

Marketing and Business Program Development and Consulting for small and medium Aviation Concerns

Human Resource Consulting for Aviation

Who We Are

2009-10-15T10:33:00.000-07:00

Stein & Baltimore, LLC is a team of dedicated aviation professionals whose sole purpose is to provide our aviation clients with our undivided, direct and focused attention in order to exceed their needs, goals and expectations.

At Stein & Baltimore, LLC we incorporate a face-to-face, interactive approach to our business that lends itself to effective ideas, problem issue identification and proactive solutions.

"Aviation Excellence, Without Exception" is not what we do, it's who we are!