Cox News Service
ATLANTA – New airport security measures are useless in deterring terrorist attacks on U.S. airliners, some air safety experts said Thursday.
“It’s window dressing that does nothing to address the root of the problem,” said Michael Maya Charles, an airline captain and air safety consultant. “The problem is people – not the equipment they’re using. None of the changes the (Federal Aviation Administration) has proposed would have prevented this week’s tragedies.”
Terrorists who commandeered four passenger jets Tuesday apparently carried weapons onto the planes or had accomplices plant them inside aircraft in Boston, Newark and Washington.
Low-paid baggage handlers, caterers, cleaners and others have broad access to planes at U.S. airports, and high turnover rates makes those groups easy to infiltrate. Workers staffing airport metal detectors also are poorly trained and paid, and they undergo limited background checks and pre-employment screening.
“The FAA is going to buy lots of new X-ray machines and put in a bunch of new procedures,” Charles said. “All that is going to add tremendously to the hassle factor for business travelers – but it won’t do anything to improve security.”
George Bush, an Atlanta-based MD-11 co-pilot, said meaningful safety measures would include banning any carry-on luggage and installing secure barriers to cockpits. Current cockpit doors are flimsy and incapable of slowing a determined attacker.
“Our cardboard ‘kickout’ doors must be replaced with some substantial door that can stop intruders,” the co-pilot said. “This is quite simple and can be done right now.”
Airline crews also are likely to behave differently during future hijackings. The suicide attackers aboard the four planes Tuesday apparently began killing flight attendants first, and in at least one instance drew one of the plane’s two pilots out of the cockpit when he rushed to defend his co-workers.
El Al, the Israeli state carrier and world leader in airline security, prohibits pilots from leaving the cockpit regardless of what happens in the cabins.
Ken Adams, an Atlanta MD-11 captain, said U.S. pilots will likely adopt a similar policy of remaining at the controls and landing as soon as possible.
“Both pilots should be up front during any emergency,” he said. “It’s essential for everyone’s safety.”
David Webb, president of the FedEx Pilots Association, said air cargo carriers, too, are likely to face additional FAA regulations. But he urged the FAA not to “go overboard” on rules that cut Americans’ access to air travel or reduce the rapid flow of commerce.
“If America makes huge changes in our personal freedoms, it’s capitulation,” he said. “We should take concrete steps to eliminate threats. But sacrificing individual liberties is like paying ransom. It just encourages more terrorist acts in the future.”
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
