RAMON LOPEZ / WASHINGTON
Huge air marshal recruitment drive in force as part of a range of measures being taken to ensure safety in the skies
The USA's state governors have responded to President Bush's call for the national guard to enhance security at airports, particularly at passenger screening stations, with the federal government reimbursing the states for the cost.
At the same time, armed federal law enforcement agents are flying in the passenger cabins of US airliners. These will include officers from the US Marshals, Secret Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, Customs Service, Immigration and Naturalisation Service, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms until more federal sky marshals are hired and trained. Limited information about the Federal Air Marshal programme has been made public and only the flight deck and cabin crew know whether sky marshals are aboard.
The FAA has been swamped with applications since the marshal hiring notice was posted on the FAA's web site. The agency is offering salaries of between $35,000 and $80,000, and is seeking US citizens under 37 years old. Applicants need three years' experience in administrative, professional, technical, investigative or other "progressively responsible work".
The temporary sky marshals are being instructed at the centre where FAA agents are trained for anti-hijacking missions. Special ammunition is used that will not penetrate the aircraft skin or damage aircraft systems components.
Meanwhile, US carriers are reinforcing the cockpit doors of their aircraft. The FAA has approved the installation of a crossbar locking device under a supplemental type certificate (STC). The device's main component is a 19mm (0.75in) steel bar that can withstand forces of up to 680kg (1,500lb). The airlines have 30 days to complete the installations. Delta is acquiring its cockpit door security bars, called the Secure Cockpit System, from Greensboro, North Carolina-based TIMCO Engineered Systems.
Source: Flight International
