Again, just from what I've read, all pilots who want to participate in the FFDO program get their firearms training at some Federal facility in New Mexico. TSA pays for the actual training and for their issue weapon (.40 caliber HK USP...Compact model, I think) but the pilots pay their own transportation, lodging, meals, etc. out of pocket. I haven't seen any news articles that say that the airlines reimburse them for this out-of-pocket expense. I see the amount $3,000 typically quoted in these articles, so that's not an insignificant amount of money these pilots dish out to participate. I have no idea where they have to do their twice yearly weapons quals, though. Maybe they have to go back to New Mexico for that, too.

Plus there is a psych evaluation, too, that pilots have to pass before entering the program but I haven't read any specifics about that part. So, it's definitely a lot more involved than just your typical CCW kind of situation.