Pilots take issue with cut to air marshal funding in Obama’s transportation budget

{mosads}Moak said the FFDO program is a “critical and cost-efficient airline security program staffed by thousands of fully trained and deputized ALPA pilot volunteers, who already make great personal and professional sacrifices to secure our flight decks.

“In light of its already minimal funding levels, any budget reduction to the FFDO program could very well lead to its ultimate demise,” he said.

The president’s proposal included a renewal of his call for an increase to $7.50 in the security taxes airline passengers pay each way on trips, which the White House has said would augment the Transportation Security Administration’s efforts to guard airports.

But Moak said the FFDO program is “an essential component of transportation security and has often been praised by the TSA for the additional layer of protection it brings to our skies.”

Obama’s budget also calls again for increasing a per-takeoff fee on flights that could run as high as $100.