June, 2009: Training and Testing Begins!

It's June, 2209 and at this point all systems are go. The only thing left to do is to get my employees trained and tested. As well, I (as the primary security coordinator) had to be tested as did my secondary security coordinator.

here is how is worked:

As the Primary Security Coordinator, I was required to submit a letter requesting the TSA to allow me to self certify myself, so that I may train and certify my Secondary Security Coordinator and employees. The letter outlines the training program as a whole and your procedure for on-the-job training. Basically your are starting with basic class-room type training, with an overview of aviation history, CCSF responsibilities, leading up to actual operations training. This operations training consists of 15 hours or 100 pieces screened with a fake IED (Improvised Explosive Device (IED) – A device that has been fabricated in an improvised manner that incorporates explosives or destructive, lethal, noxious, pyrotechnic, or incendiary chemicals in its design. Generally, an IED will consist of an explosive, a power supply, a switch or timer, and a detonator or initiator.),whichever is completed first. Anyone testing below 85% on any test must be retested.

So I studied and had my secondary security coordinator test me and me test him. After we both certified the other, we worked together to certify our employees. My reasoning to this approach was as we both tested the employees, we were constantly reviewing the information we were required to know.

We all passed with flying colors.........

April, 2009 Time to pick up the pace!

At this point, it had been a good 6 months of a delay in me moving forward with the program. This was largely contributed to me still trying to figure out exactly how I wanted to proceed and of course running my day to day business. I also was guilty of some procrastination due to still being a little intimidated by the project, but time was still on my side at this juncture, and I could feel it coming together a little at a time. Luckily, I received a list of required sections from the TSA for the operations manual. This was a huge help!!

I finally decided it was time to stop delaying and I submitted the first Security Threat Assessment (STA) on myself, which is basically a background check. Per usual, TSA did not delay. I was approved on May 4, 2009. Upon approval, I was given a code that I could use to submit my employee's STA'S via a specific web page and this was a very easy process. Unfortunately, I can not reveal anymore useful information on this topic. Needless to say in pure TSA fashion, my employees were cleared with-in a week or two. We were set....

Quick Recap at this point:

June, 2008: submit initial application and Safety Act application
August, 2008: received first TSA Order
September, 2008: initial application approved
April, 2009: TSA provided required section tabs for the operations manual
April, 2009: submitted initial Security Threat Assessment (STA) on myself
May, 2009: initial STA approved, submitted employee STA's
May, 2009: employee STA's approved