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U.S. asks to arm pilots abroad
Updated 2/8/2007 7:51 AM ET
By Thomas Frank, USA TODAY
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2007-02-07-us-pilots-guns_x.htm
For the first time, the U.S. government is asking foreign countries to allow pilots to carry guns in the cockpit when they fly overseas.
The Homeland Security Department, working with the State Department, is trying to expand a 4-year-old program that allows thousands of pilots to carry guns on domestic flights.
"It's obvious that there's a threat internationally," said Conan Bruce, spokesman for the Federal Air Marshals Service, which runs the armed-pilots program. "We want to work toward having (armed pilots) be able to perform their duties on international flights."
Some countries may block U.S. efforts because they don't want guns on airplanes, even if they're carried by trained pilots who have been sworn as law officers.
"Sweden would rather not see any weapons aboard airplanes," said Michael Mohr, homeland security liaison at the Swedish Embassy in Washington. "There's a concern about arms and very sensitive equipment inside airplanes."
Nations can prohibit armed air marshals on U.S. flights to their countries. Some, including Sweden, have resisted U.S. efforts to have them put their own armed officers on U.S.-bound flights. Thousands of U.S. air marshals fly as passengers on domestic and international flights.
Armed pilots, known as flight deck officers, carry guns only in the cockpit. No pilot has fired a gun in a plane, Bruce said. The Transportation Security Administration allows handguns of varied calibers, including .357, .40 and .45, and 9mm.
The effort to expand the armed-pilots program comes amid criticism that it is falling short of its potential. A Homeland Security report released last month said the program needs improvement, and some policies "may have dissuaded pilots from participating."
"More needs to be accomplished to maximize the use of" armed pilots, the report concludes.
Congress cut $11.5 million from the last two budget requests for armed pilots because the program didn't spend all its money. Bruce said costs have fluctuated depending on pilot availability for one week of training.
Federal Flight Deck Officers Association Chairman Jim Krauss said the U.S. push for guns on international flights will help enlist more pilots in the program. "We certainly would see a lot more participation," he said.
About 8% of flights originating in the USA are to international destinations.
Members of Congress have proposed numerous bills since 2004 that would require the administration to work with countries to allow armed pilots, and to take other steps to improve the program.
David Mackett, president of the Airline Pilots Security Alliance, which advocates for armed pilots, said his group wants to see lifted a policy requiring them to keep guns in a lockbox except when they're in a cockpit. "We have thousands of pilots who are routinely riding in the cabin (as passengers) and could serve as the last line of defense," Mackett said. He said other law enforcement officers carry guns on board planes.
Bruce said improvements are planned in response to pilot concerns. Armed pilots will get badges this year to replace ID cards. Regional training sites will open to make pilot recertification more convenient.
Aviation security consultant Rich Roth said some pilots "feel better" carrying guns, but he doubts they could thwart a hijacker. "If you're sitting in the flight deck and they get through, you have no time to do anything with a weapon," Roth said.
Updated 2/8/2007 7:51 AM ET
By Thomas Frank, USA TODAY
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2007-02-07-us-pilots-guns_x.htm
For the first time, the U.S. government is asking foreign countries to allow pilots to carry guns in the cockpit when they fly overseas.
The Homeland Security Department, working with the State Department, is trying to expand a 4-year-old program that allows thousands of pilots to carry guns on domestic flights.
"It's obvious that there's a threat internationally," said Conan Bruce, spokesman for the Federal Air Marshals Service, which runs the armed-pilots program. "We want to work toward having (armed pilots) be able to perform their duties on international flights."
Some countries may block U.S. efforts because they don't want guns on airplanes, even if they're carried by trained pilots who have been sworn as law officers.
"Sweden would rather not see any weapons aboard airplanes," said Michael Mohr, homeland security liaison at the Swedish Embassy in Washington. "There's a concern about arms and very sensitive equipment inside airplanes."
Nations can prohibit armed air marshals on U.S. flights to their countries. Some, including Sweden, have resisted U.S. efforts to have them put their own armed officers on U.S.-bound flights. Thousands of U.S. air marshals fly as passengers on domestic and international flights.
Armed pilots, known as flight deck officers, carry guns only in the cockpit. No pilot has fired a gun in a plane, Bruce said. The Transportation Security Administration allows handguns of varied calibers, including .357, .40 and .45, and 9mm.
The effort to expand the armed-pilots program comes amid criticism that it is falling short of its potential. A Homeland Security report released last month said the program needs improvement, and some policies "may have dissuaded pilots from participating."
"More needs to be accomplished to maximize the use of" armed pilots, the report concludes.
Congress cut $11.5 million from the last two budget requests for armed pilots because the program didn't spend all its money. Bruce said costs have fluctuated depending on pilot availability for one week of training.
Federal Flight Deck Officers Association Chairman Jim Krauss said the U.S. push for guns on international flights will help enlist more pilots in the program. "We certainly would see a lot more participation," he said.
About 8% of flights originating in the USA are to international destinations.
Members of Congress have proposed numerous bills since 2004 that would require the administration to work with countries to allow armed pilots, and to take other steps to improve the program.
David Mackett, president of the Airline Pilots Security Alliance, which advocates for armed pilots, said his group wants to see lifted a policy requiring them to keep guns in a lockbox except when they're in a cockpit. "We have thousands of pilots who are routinely riding in the cabin (as passengers) and could serve as the last line of defense," Mackett said. He said other law enforcement officers carry guns on board planes.
Bruce said improvements are planned in response to pilot concerns. Armed pilots will get badges this year to replace ID cards. Regional training sites will open to make pilot recertification more convenient.
Aviation security consultant Rich Roth said some pilots "feel better" carrying guns, but he doubts they could thwart a hijacker. "If you're sitting in the flight deck and they get through, you have no time to do anything with a weapon," Roth said.
