Copyright 2001 The Atlanta Constitution  
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
September 26, 2001 Wednesday, Home Edition
SECTION: Business; Pg. 3F

LENGTH: 476 words

HEADLINE: Plan to arm pilots can be put in place fast, union says

BYLINE: GEORGE EDMONSON

SOURCE: AJC

BODY:
Washington --- Airline pilots believe they could quickly institute a program to have pilots armed on the job if the Federal Aviation Administration approves the idea.

The proposal, which got a mixed initial reaction in Congress to permit pilots to voluntarily carry weapons on airliners, was pushed Tuesday by Duane Woerth, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, at a House of Representatives aviation subcommittee hearing.

"This is a 180-degree turnaround for us," Woerth said after his testimony. Just last Thursday, he pressed a Senate committee for more law enforcement involvement in the wake of the deadly Sept. 11 hijackings. Pilots, he said then, could not be "Sky King and Wyatt Earp at the same time."

Woerth said Tuesday that the union's about-face resulted from an outpouring from among the union's 67,000 members and a recognition that it could be implemented much faster than most other new safety measures being suggested. Major alterations to the security of cabin doors, for example, could take a year. But Woerth said the union estimated that pilots could begin to be trained and armed in just several months.

Woerth said pilots who wanted to participate would receive the training given to federal air marshals, and they would have arrest authority. Details such as whether guns would be concealed or worn openly have yet to be determined, Woerth added.

Reaction was mixed to the proposal from members of the subcommittee as well as from others on the panel with Woerth. Some representatives, such as subcommittee Chairman John Mica (R-Fla.) offered support, while others, such as Ellen Tauscher (D-Calif.), urged caution. John Meenan, a senior vice president of the Air Transport Association, which represents major airlines, told the subcommittee that his group believed the plan needs more discussion.

The hearing Tuesday was one of many as Congress explores numerous recommendations to improve security at airports and on airliners.

The pilots' plan also called for at least two stun guns in the cockpit to be standard equipment on airliners. Patricia Friend, president of the flight attendants union, supported that recommendation.

The FAA said Tuesday it is open to considering both proposals and that they are being discussed by one of two teams appointed by Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta to evaluate airline security.

The firearms would be loaded with what are known as frangible bullets. Their composition is not solid, and they do not have the piercing power of conventional bullets, said Dennis Fossey, owner of Precision Cartridge Inc. in Indiana.

"If it hits anything hard it just turns to dust," said Fossey, whose customers for frangible bullets include law enforcement organizations and target ranges. "On the other hand, when you hit someone, it's going to take them down."

LOAD-DATE: September 26, 2001