AOPA disagrees with Massport at Hanscom

BETTER SECURITY OPTIONS AVAILABLE AT HANSCOM, AOPA SAYS
AOPA is opposing plans by Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) officials to designate the entire ramp at Laurence G. Hanscom Field as a security identification area (SIDA). General aviation pilots would be required to pay as much as $75 to $125 for an identity back- ground check and security badge. According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), a SIDA needs to encompass the footprint of a commercial aircraft and baggage area, yet Hanscom only receives a few air carrier flights a day. "Requiring general aviation operators, who have supported operations at the airport financially through fees and rents, to pay for an additional security measure that is not federally mandated is completely and totally unacceptable," said Anne Esposito, AOPA vice president of airports. AOPA is offering to work with airport officials and GA users to come up with better security solutions."

Only a few air carrier flights a day???? Where does that leave ORH, with the same situation (at least for drive-on users) and zero flights a day?