Budget Ax Falls on Armed Pilot Program
This video discusses the proposed budget cuts to the Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO) program in President Obama's 2013 budget, which would halve its funding from $25 million to $12 million. Mike K from the Federal Flight Deck Officers Association explains the program's importance as a cost-effective counterterrorism measure and highlights how the cuts would impact new applicants, re-qualification facilities, and the overall effectiveness of the program. The discussion also touches on the historical context of the program, its relationship with DHS, and the perceived disconnect between bureaucratic reasoning and the realities faced by pilots on the line.











