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Travel to Artesia

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This information is strictly for the transportation efforts at the FLETC located in Artesia, New Mexico. In efforts to better communicate, the below information is being provided to ensure there is a clear understanding of what is required by each and every student arriving to the FLETC. Please know that our goal is to provide transportation that is not only cost effective for the government but beneficial to our Partner Organizations. This is not a new policy or a new set or requirements, it is defined information to help in transporting your incoming students to the FLETC.

If you are traveling to the FLETC by commercial air service, we encourage routing your travel into the Roswell Airport, serviced by American Eagle Airlines, via Dallas/Fort Worth or Phoenix airports. American Eagle reservations can be made at www.aa.com. The Roswell Airport is approximately 40 miles from the FLETC. An additional airport consideration is the Hobbs, New Mexico airport which is serviced by United Express www.united.com through Houston or Denver.  Hobbs is approximately 85 miles from the FLETC. The FLETC will provide bus transportation to and from the Roswell or Hobbs airports.  

The FLETC is approximately equal driving distance from the larger airports of El Paso, Texas or Albuquerque, New Mexico.  Unless you are notified otherwise, transport from these airports is the student’s responsibility.  

You are reminded that all Federal law enforcement officers must be in compliance with 14 CFR Part 108 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. These governing regulations place certain restrictions on both airlines and federal law enforcement officials. Under these regulations, law enforcement officers in official travel status who are required to report armed and immediately ready for duty are permitted to travel armed (weapon in their immediate control) on board a commercial aircraft. These are additional qualifying conditions for flying armed, including: agency firearms authorization based upon arrest authority, completion of a certified training course covering Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidelines and alcohol abstinence. Additionally, you must present proper credentials and complete required airline forms.

If you place your firearm in checked luggage FAA regulations:

  • Firearms will be unloaded.
  • Firearms will be secured in a locked, hard-sided carrying case, and placed inside either soft-side or hard-sided luggage.
  • Upon check-in, the airline ticket agent shall be notified that the checked luggage contains an unloaded firearm(s).
  • Firearms shall not be stowed in the crew compartment(s) of an aircraft.

Pursuant to FAA regulations, airlines are required to place notification of unloaded firearms inside checked luggage. Some airlines require that the identification tag be placed inside the locked carrying case, while other airlines place the identification tag inside the luggage. Officers should request that no such identification be displayed on the outside of any luggage containing a firearm, however, airlines may utilize external tags when long guns are transported in locked cases. Ammunition should be packed to afford the same protection as a weapon. Ammunition must be placed in a locked hard-sided case and be packed to protect the primers. Manufacturer’s original boxes, magazines, and speed loaders are acceptable for protection and packing. Ammunition may be placed in a locked hard-sided container with an unloaded weapon. Mace, Pepper (OC), and other chemical agents are prohibited on board aircraft. This FAA prohibition covers both passenger and luggage storage areas. NOTE: Some airlines, including those serving the local airports, have interpreted the locked hard-sided requirement to include the luggage container. You should be aware that some airline personnel may refuse the transportation of weapons in locked hard-sided cases placed inside locked soft-sided luggage. If you encounter any problems, please ask the airline agent to contact the airline ground security coordinator (GSC). The GSC should be able to assist you and resolve any problems.

Transportation differs for each class. You will be individually contacted by your class coordinator prior to departure for Artesia on specific information as to how you will arrive in Artesia. These times may be adjusted if flights are canceled. If you arrive in Roswell after the departure of the last FLETC bus due to delayed flights, you may call the FLETC Security Office at (575) 748-8136 to arrange for special transportation. If your late arrival is due to other than a delayed flight, you are responsible for your own transportation to the Center. Departure Transportation In order to make your flight on the day after graduation, the FLETC bus departs the Registration Area at the following times: 4:00 a.m., 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. Departures at any other time must be arranged in advance through your Faculty Advisor or Agency Class Coordinator. Information on Driving to the FLETC The FLETC-Artesia is located approximately 40 miles southwest of Roswell, New Mexico, at 1300 W. Richey Avenue, Artesia, New Mexico (13th Street and Richey Avenue), approximately one (1) mile off U. S. Highway 285. There are directional signs off Highway 285. Attached to this handbook is a map of the area. If you are driving a personal vehicle, to enter the FLETC you are required to have a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance coverage equal to, or greater than, $25,000 for personal injury per person or $50,000 per accident and $25,000 for property damage in any one accident. A parking pass for the period of your stay will be issued when your vehicle is registered. Please display it inside the windshield of your vehicle at all times. Parking space for your use is provided around the dormitory. Spaces in the vicinity of the office and classroom buildings are designated for FLETC and Partner Organization staff only. If you park in other than student-designated parking areas, you will be assessed traffic violation points. An accumulation of sufficient points will result in the revocation of driving privileges on the FLETC.

If you have a special need, we ask you to notify your organization representative or the FLETC as soon as possible so arrangements can be made. Ground level handicapped dormitory rooms are available, as are refrigeration needs for prescribed medications. These services are available upon request.

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