[JYO] TSA's top cop out; new boss understands transportation (from AOPA)

from AOPA...

TSA's top cop out; new boss understands transportation

 July 19 — John W. Magaw, the federal cop picked just six months ago to head 
the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), suddenly resigned 
yesterday. His replacement is retired Adm. James M. Loy, the former 
commandant of the Coast Guard who was appointed to the No. 2 position at TSA 
just last May.

 "Adm. Loy comes into the job knowing something about transportation," said 
AOPA President Phil Boyer. "Not only does the Coast Guard have an air wing, 
but it also deals with recreational boaters. Their concerns about access to 
the national transportation system and security regulation in many ways 
parallel the concerns of general aviation pilots."

 Boyer had the opportunity to talk directly with Adm. Loy during an industry 
meeting today. "He is very personable," said Boyer, "and very interested in 
the concerns of pilots. During our meeting, I complimented Secretary of 
Transportation Mineta for picking a new TSA head who is willing to engage the 
aviation industry."

 TSA is going to play an increasingly more intrusive role in general 
aviation. As the agency expands its security mandate, it will look more 
closely at such things as pilot licensing and general aviation airport 
security. And TSA is already the controlling force on many airspace 
decisions, determining where flight will be prohibited.

 This now means that new leaders will head the two agencies most critical to 
general aviation pilots, FAA and TSA. Fortunately for GA, AOPA has already 
opened the door with both of them.

 The rap against Magaw, according to press reports, was that he was too much 
the cop. The former head of the Secret Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, 
Tobacco and Firearms didn't always take the concerns of the transportation 
industry into consideration. Many lawmakers and members of the aviation 
community felt that Magaw had populated TSA with ex-cops who didn't 
understand aviation and who ignored advice. And Magaw had never managed a 
large bureaucracy before. Adm. Loy has a reputation as an astute politician 
and a good manager.

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