RAMON LOPEZ / WASHINGTON DC
A wide-ranging report has been submitted to the US Government but action awaits a Congressional security bill
A series of counter-terrorism measures proposed by a six-member panel of aerospace, airport and security experts will be costly and take several years to implement.
The panel, appointed by US transportation secretary Norman Mineta, was asked to recommend ways of improving security at US airports and on commercial transports in the wake of the September terrorist attacks on the USA. The team examined vulnerability of airport grounds and in-flight security, including cockpit access.
Mineta called the package of recommendations "well-thought-out options for consideration", but did not immediately issue an action plan. It appears the Bush Administration will step back until the US Congress enacts an airport security bill to mandate certain measures.
The task force called for immediate installation of a cockpit-door barrier device on all US civil transports. But it said the device may hinder crew evacuation or rescue in a crash and should be allowed only in the short-term until its effect "on decompression and rescue/exit can be determined and an alternative approach is designed".
The experts also called for modifications to assure continuous transmission of a transponder signal. Without the transponder, controllers can track an aircraft only by primary radar, which does not offer aircraft identity and altitude. While a major re-design may be required, there are quick fixes, including a set-and-lock hijacking code that cannot be disabled, a panic button and an independent transponder that is unreachable by the hijacker.
The task force was inconclusive on the issue of installing non-lethal weapons, such as stun guns, and firearms on board airliners. It supported arming cabin and flight deck crews with non-lethal devices, but there was "no clear consensus on what type or how many non-lethal devices should be placed on the aircraft, or who should have access to such devices".
It said more consideration needs to be given to laws governing "use, training requirements and weapons control and maintenance". Some pilots want handguns, but the task force has identified "numerous issues requiring resolution before consideration is given to arming the pilots".
The FAA has enacted a task force recommendation to limit passengers to one piece of hand luggage and a handbag or briefcase.
The airport security group also recommends that much-improved airport passenger screening be placed under direct control of a new law enforcement agency under the Department of Transportation. Screeners would be supervised by uniformed federal security officers. The screeners could either be federal or contract personnel. The Senate last week passed a measure to federalise security screeners at 140 major airports, but prospects in the House of Representatives are uncertain.
The panel says the FAA should exploit breakthrough technologies for passenger identification, explosives detection and passenger and baggage screening. Airport worker background checks and improved access door security measures were both endorsed.
The group says "frequent flyers" should be issued special credentials that would allow them easier access to aircraft. That would allow screeners to focus extra attention on other passengers.
Source: Flight International
