SECURITY IN THE COCKPIT

In the wake of the September 11th attacks, it has become a national priority to pass legislation to improve our aviation security. On September 28th, I met with several commercial airline pilots from Bucks County to hear their concerns. They also had several recommendations for implementing enhanced security measures, both at the airports and onboard passenger jets.

The group strongly supported securing cockpit doors and giving pilots the option of carrying firearms. Commercial airline pilots are some of the most disciplined and responsible professionals in the American workforce, and many of them possess distinguished military backgrounds. I agreed that these two provisions are simple and cost effective improvements to American aviation security.

On July 10, 2002 the House of Representatives passed and I supported H.R. 4625, the Arming Pilots Against Terrorism Act by a vote of 310 to 113. This bill directs the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security to establish a two-year pilot program to: (1) deputize volunteer pilots of air carriers as federal law enforcement officers to defend the flight decks of aircraft against acts of criminal violence or air piracy and (2) provide training, supervision, and equipment for such officers. It prohibits an air carrier from prohibiting or threatening any retaliatory action against a pilot for becoming a federal flight deck officer. The Bill also directs the Under Secretary, in updating the guidance for training flight and cabin crews, to issue a rule to: (1) require both classroom and effective hands-on situational training in specified elements of self-defense; (2) require training in the proper conduct of a cabin search, including the duty time required to conduct it; (3) establish the required number of hours of training and the qualifications for training instructors; (4) establish the intervals, number of hours, and elements of recurrent training; and (5) ensure that air carriers provide the initial training within 24 months of the enactment of this Act.

On September 4, 2002, the Senate overwhelming voted in favor of this measure, 87 to 6. In the weeks to come a conference report will be drawn up and sent to the President for his approval.