House Appropriators Fund AOPA Airport Watch's 866/GA-SECURE

AOPA's Airport Watch 866/GA-SECURE hotline should continue to allow pilots to report suspicious activities at airports. The House Appropriations Committee recently approved continued funding for the hotline as part of the budget package for the Department of Homeland Security.

In his remarks at the hearing, House Appropriations Homeland Security subcommittee Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY) said, "It is important that we provide the money and the tools to continue progress" of Homeland Security. Airport Watch, and 866/GA-SECURE, is one of those homeland security tools.

"Time and time again we hear from high-ranking Homeland Security and TSA officials the value in one centralized national number to report suspicious activity at airports," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "Given the summer's heightened security concerns, ensuring proper funding of the Airport Watch number is vital."

AOPA partnered with the Transportation Security Administration (now part of the Homeland Security Department) to create Airport Watch. AOPA created the program and funded materials such as brochures, airport signs, and training videos. TSA provided the toll-free hotline and helped distribute some of the program materials.

FMI: www.aopa.org/asn/watchindex.shtml