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Senator Tells TSA: Arm Pilots or Lose Funding
Cybercast News Service. ^ | April 02, 2004 | Robert B. Bluey

Posted on 04/02/2004 10:02:05 AM PST by neverdem


alt

Senator Tells TSA: Arm Pilots or Lose Funding
By Robert B. Bluey
CNSNews.com Staff Writer
April 02, 2004

Capitol Hill (CNSNews.com) - Frustrated by the Transportation Security Administration's delay in arming airline pilots with guns, four members of Congress said Thursday they want the agency to quit dragging its feet.

"We're not interested in any excuses from here on out. This is too important to our national security," said Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Ky.), who introduced legislation that would require TSA to speed up the process of arming pilots.

click to enlargeBunning was joined by Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Conrad Burns (R-Mont.) and Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), who is sponsoring a companion bill in the House. But it was the Kentucky senator who had the harshest words for TSA.

"They'll get the message or they'll lose their money for the program," Bunning said. "We'll put it somewhere where it will get the job done."

Congress passed the federal flight deck officer program in November 2002 in hopes of making airline pilots the last line of defense against hijackings. A year later lawmakers added cargo pilots to the program.

But, as a CNSNews.com investigation found, TSA has made the program cumbersome and discouraging for pilots. According to Wilson, less than 1 percent of the 40,000 pilots who signed up to participate have been trained.

Pilots have complained about the way federal flight deck officers must transport their firearms - in lockboxes, except inside the cockpit; TSA-administered background investigations, psychological exams and the release of personal information; and the remote location of the program's single training facility in Artesia, N.M.

"To have an agency that is unelected, that is sitting on legislation like this and not doing it is absolutely wrong," Boxer said. "In essence, TSA is turning its back on a law that is the law of the land."

Added Bunning, "It's not up to them to like the legislation. It's up to them to implement the legislation that the Congress passed."

When asked to respond Thursday, a TSA spokeswoman requested that CNSNews.com submit written questions. The agency had not responded to the inquiry as of Thursday evening.

The lawmakers at Thursday's gathering on Capitol Hill stressed that TSA already has the authority to properly implement the law. But they said that clearly isn't happening, given the complaints from pilots and the small number who have successfully completed the training.

"This could be done administratively by TSA," Wilson said. "All we're trying to do is really push what should already occur."

The bill, called the "Cockpit Security Technical Corrections and Improvement Act," makes a number of changes that would speed up the process of arming pilots and tear down the barriers that turn off pilots from ever applying.

Not only would pilots have to be trained within 90 days, but it would also allow pilots with a military or law enforcement background to be armed immediately.

The TSA would have to open more training facilities and use private training facilities for recurrent training, according to the bill. The agency would be responsible for picking up the tab for the pilots' travel expenses.

The legislation would also end the use of lockboxes, allow pilots to carry a gun outside the cockpit and let them pass through security like other law enforcement officers. Pilots could sue the TSA if the agency violates the law.

"As airline pilots, our fundamental mission remains the same: get our passengers, our crew, our cargo safely to its destination," said David Mackett, president of the Airline Pilots Security Alliance. "It is unfortunate, but nevertheless true, that fulfilling that mission now requires new tools, including an armed cockpit."

Representatives from the Coalition of Airline Pilots Associations, Astar Air Cargo and the Law Enforcement Alliance for America were also on hand to offer their support.

Bunning, citing an urgent need for the legislation, promised to take the matter up with the Senate Commerce Committee immediately.

"It is a gaping hole in our national security, particularly for those who fly on a daily basis or a weekly basis," Bunning said. "And we're all, the people here in this Congress, on that schedule. So it isn't just for us, but it's for all the daily commuters and fliers that we plug this big hole."

And for someone like Boxer, who flies frequently to her home state of California, the issue transcends her typical alignment with gun-control proponents. Both the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms and Gun Owners of America are strong proponents of the legislation.

"We're not just going to sit quietly by," Boxer said. "This whole program was meant to make sure that what happened on 9/11 never happens again. This is a plan that is a very important part of that never happening again. And they're not executing it. And we've pretty much had it."

See Earlier Story:
Thousands of Pilots Won't Fly Armed, Blame TSA
(Jan. 15, 2004)

E-mail a news tip to Robert B. Bluey.

Send a Letter to the Editor about this article.



TOPICS: Breaking News; Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events; US: District of Columbia; US: Tennessee; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: airlinepilots; airlinesecurity; armedpilots; bang; banglist; ffdo; secondamendment; tsa
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To: neverdem
Barbara BOXER, Überlib, is behind this? Reality disconnect.
41 posted on 04/02/2004 2:17:18 PM PST by John Jorsett
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To: Robert_Paulson2
Barbara Boxer IS a flaming wreck!
42 posted on 04/02/2004 2:31:45 PM PST by My2Cents ("Well...there you go again.")
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To: Robert_Paulson2
an army of 100 million armed patriots... would go a long way to "pacify" would be terrorists, theifs, robbers and criminals in general.

I agree with you 1000% percent.

43 posted on 04/02/2004 2:32:59 PM PST by My2Cents ("Well...there you go again.")
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To: Robert_Paulson2
btw... discharging a 357 in an airplane won't wreck the plane. it's just clattertrap for the anti gunners.

Cheers for pointing that out. Worst case scenario, one or two holes shot in airframe, cabin pressure can still be maintained, plane has to land at nearest airport.

Still better than fighter pilots in F-16's having to shoot fully-laden 747's out of the sky, killing something like 420 people... (BTW, has anyone been on a half-empty plane since 9/11? I sure haven't. Every single flight I've taken, domestic and international, with several airlines, has been packed to the gills...)
44 posted on 04/02/2004 2:35:03 PM PST by KangarooJacqui (I FReep because I can...)
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To: John Jorsett
Reality disconnect.

Not really. (psst...it's an election year...)

45 posted on 04/02/2004 2:36:06 PM PST by My2Cents ("Well...there you go again.")
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To: John Jorsett; NormsRevenge; Grampa Dave
Rather amazing.
46 posted on 04/02/2004 2:57:21 PM PST by Ernest_at_the_Beach (The terrorists and their supporters declared war on the United States - and war is what they got!!!!)
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To: neverdem
BUMP!!

Jim Bunning lets loose a fastball right down the middle of the plate, striking out the numb-brained TSA!!

The whole issue of "bullet holes through the fuselage" is solved with wet toilet paper or paper towels stuck in the hole (like we did in the -135 all the time around the doors with air leaks). The water freezes and, voila, instant plug. This is a non-issue.

47 posted on 04/02/2004 3:07:59 PM PST by Skybird
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To: dpwiener
Believe it or not but Boxer and Feinstein have been on board on this issue since the beginning. They where both original sponsors of the bill along with a number of others both Democrat and Republican.

I even remember Feinstein being one of the key speakers on the floor of the Senate vigorously arguing for passage. I thought something was wrong with my TV. This legislation was presented a short time after 9/11 when sentiment was strong. That's the only reason I can figure they got on board.

48 posted on 04/02/2004 3:27:59 PM PST by mississippi red-neck
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To: Skybird
The loads they are using probably would not penetrate all the way through, but would Knock the crap out of someone at close range.
49 posted on 04/02/2004 3:35:38 PM PST by Cold Heat (Notice! Looking for a replacement lawyer with only one hand! (who can't say "on the other hand")
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To: OXENinFLA; NormsRevenge
BOXER is for this, there's got to be a catch

There is; she wants the TSA to lose the funding.

50 posted on 04/02/2004 3:39:30 PM PST by steveegg (End the FReepathons; donate monthly - https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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To: neverdem
Does Norm Minetta have his hands in this?
51 posted on 04/02/2004 3:55:22 PM PST by Libertina (FRee Republic - What have you done for her lately? CONTRIBUTE 5 or 10!)
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To: neverdem
The reasons for the delays are explained by these immutable laws of guns and gun violence:

1) You can't trust a person responsible for safeguarding the lives of hundreds of people 7 miles above the earth with a gun.

2) Pilots are mere citizens, and not entitled to assert collective rights.

3) A pilot is 43 times more likely to be shot by his own gun than to use it against a burglar, I mean hijacker.

4) Any pilot who wants to carry a gun must be a part of the Culture of Violence and thus must be carefully evaluated in an appropriate medical interrogation facility.

5) If there's a hijacking, they should just call 9-11 and let the professionals handle it. Don't Be a Hero(tm).

6) If these delays can save the life of just once child, it will have been worth it.

The TSA is just trying to protect us from ourselves.

(Instead of terrorism)
52 posted on 04/02/2004 4:10:35 PM PST by Imal (Become a Free Republic Monthly Donor! It's easy, painless and makes the world a better place.)
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To: tcuoohjohn
One solution for every problem is the mark of genius.
53 posted on 04/02/2004 4:16:08 PM PST by Imal (Become a Free Republic Monthly Donor! It's easy, painless and makes the world a better place.)
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To: neverdem
I still can't believe that Boxer is involved in this. She must be having nightmares every night about it. She's just hoping to get re-elected then she'll do something to screw it up when she's safely back in office.
54 posted on 04/02/2004 4:20:21 PM PST by b4its2late (The Lord made man before woman to give him time to think of an answer for her first question.)
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To: Libertina
Does Norm Minetta have his hands in this?

AFAIK, he's been kicking and screaming, along with the airlines CEOs, against armed pilots from the beginning. They hope the slim chance that an air marshall will be aboard, airport security and the combat air patrol is sufficient.

I think the terrorists will wait years before they try another attack like Sep 11, 2001 so that people let their guard down. That's why the pilots must be armed.

55 posted on 04/02/2004 4:21:21 PM PST by neverdem (Xin loi min oi)
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To: Imal
LOL
56 posted on 04/02/2004 4:22:52 PM PST by neverdem (Xin loi min oi)
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To: George from New England
TSA head and Clinton appointee Yoshio "Norman" Mineta is only following his parents' lead in resisting assimilation in America. He mother and father were charged as saboteurs and interned in a camp during WWII. The fact that he is still here is proof of their humane treatment. According to military intalligence, not revisionist historians, 10% of those interned were saboteurs and the other 90% supported them with their silence. How many Japanese were turned in by other Japanese? And so, Lockheed and the other aircraft factories were spared. It is time to intern the islamic fundamentalists and muslims in America. This is far preferable to taking away the freedoms of real Americans.
57 posted on 04/02/2004 5:04:25 PM PST by henderson field
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To: neverdem
agree with you
58 posted on 04/02/2004 5:36:08 PM PST by Libertina (FRee Republic - What have you done for her lately? CONTRIBUTE 5 or 10!)
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To: neverdem; Eaker; Squantos; archy; coloradan
Not only would pilots have to be trained within 90 days, but it would also allow pilots with a military or law enforcement background to be armed immediately.

Hallelujah!!!

59 posted on 04/02/2004 5:52:30 PM PST by Travis McGee (----- www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com -----)
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To: tcuoohjohn
Know what is better than a ...< snip> ... hijacker who ... < snip> ... is hanging on for dear life and puking his guts out. As soon as he stops puking he will be in custody.

A hijacker whose guts have been scrambled by two Glaser Safety Slugs.

No custody. No lawsuits from 400 other passengers.

60 posted on 04/02/2004 6:01:58 PM PST by Oztrich Boy ("It is always tempting to impute unlikely virtues to the cute" - Reinstated Tagline)
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