"Battle looms over airports"

Wednesday, September 26, 2001

Battle looms over airports
By JAMES W. BROSNAN
SCRIPPS HOWARD NEWS


WASHINGTON - Two weeks after terrorists attacked America from the air,
battle lines are forming here that complicate the task of beefing up
security at airports and airplanes.

But recognizing that many are still afraid to fly, House and Senate
leaders said Tuesday they are determined to try to work through
differences to pass an airline security bill next week.

There is general agreement that armed air marshals need to be put on
more flights and that those who screen passengers and baggage need
better training and more pay.

But major differences remain in three areas:

Cockpit security

An Air Line Pilots Association official testified Tuesday that his group
wants pilots, on a voluntary basis, to be trained and deputized to carry
handguns with special bullets that won't penetrate the hull. Flight
attendants said they too want access to weapons on the plane, possibly
stun guns.

But a representative of airport operators told the House Transportation
aviation subcommittee they've been trying to reduce the number of people
carrying guns through airports.

While many lawmakers were supportive of arming pilots, some expressed
caution.

"We've got to talk to the antiterrorism experts and get their views on
it," Sen. John McCain of Arizona, ranking Republican on the Senate
Commerce Committee, said at a news conference.

House Democratic leader Dick Gephardt of Missouri said at another news
conference: "A better answer is to fortify the doors with un-enterable
doors that are steel, that seal off the cockpit. I don't think we need
pilots trying to be security officers and pilots."

But fixing doors isn't simple either. Aircraft manufacturers have told
Congress that there are 40 different models of passenger planes that
would have to be retrofitted and that the doors still be must be
ventilated to maintain equal cabin and cockpit pressure during an
emergency.

Federalization of screeners

Lawmakers generally agree that the federal government should exert
greater control over the airport screeners who check passengers and
baggage.

Only the United States, Canada and Bermuda have bags screened by
companies hired by airlines. Most use government or airport employees.

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ernest Hollings, D-S.C., and Sen. Kay
Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, are drafting legislation to make screeners
federal employees.

But many Republicans are leery. Making thousands of airport employees
federal workers "is not the answer," said Rep. John Mica, R-Fla.,
chairman of the House Transportation aviation subcommittee.

The bill he's drafting would emphasize increased federal standards and
oversight.

How to pay

Many House Democrats are pressing for a security surtax of $2.50 to $3
per airline trip. Hollings, as a compromise with Hutchison, settled on
$1 per ticket.

Airports are supportive of a surtax, but airlines are not.

"We think the lion's share of the burden should shift to the federal
government," said John Meenan, vice president of policy at the Air
Transport Association, an airline lobby group.

"They're all negotiable," McCain said of the differences. "What we're
trying to seek is consensus."

Lawmakers also are waiting to hear President Bush's position on these
issues. He discussed airport security with congressional leaders and
Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta on Tuesday.

Mineta's task force on security matters is due to make a report no later
than Monday.

 Do you have an opinion about this story?
Share it with other readers in our CAA Discussion Forums

http://www.californiaaviation.org/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?conf=DCConfID8

*****************************************