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The Allied Pilots Association (APA), collective bargaining agent
for the 12,000 pilots of American Airlines (NYSE:AMR), expressed its
strong support for the Improving America's Security Act of 2007 and
urged Congress to pass the legislation without further delay. The
bill, which was introduced yesterday, is designed to address
shortcomings in the Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO) program.
"Senator Bunning's amendment significantly improves the FFDO
program by requiring the Department of Homeland Security to implement
the program as Congress originally intended," said Captain Ralph
Hunter, president of the Allied Pilots Association. "The improvements
will attract more pilots into the program by eliminating needless
restrictions and will also expand coverage to international flights."
According to Hunter, many pilots have declined participation
because of the Transportation Security Administration's cumbersome
application and participation requirements, non-standard badging and
weapons restrictions, requirement for pilots to train at their own
expense and the inability to protect international flights.
The proposed legislation--resulting from the combined efforts of
U.S. Senator Jim Bunning (R-KY), APA's Committee for Armed Defense of
the Cockpit (CADC), the Coalition of Airline Pilots Association and
the Federal Flight Deck Officer's Association--proposes changes in
five areas of concern:
-- Eliminates the lock box and permits FFDOs to carry their
weapon on their person like other federal officers.
-- Permits FFDOs to carry firearms on international flights.
-- Provides a metal badge for identification of FFDOs to other
law enforcement officers in a crisis.
-- Provides due process protection to applicants and participants
in the program.
-- Holds the U.S. State Department accountable to Congress for
progress in negotiating agreements with foreign countries for
FFDO carriage.
"We have been very pleased with administration of the program
under the Federal Air Marshal Service," said First Officer Mike Karn,
who chairs APA's CADC. "However, this amendment is essential to ensure
the FFDO program operates as originally intended by Congress. It is
imperative that this program be permitted to function effectively as a
first line of deterrence and last line of defense against the hostile
takeover of a U.S. airliner."
Founded in 1963, APA is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. There
are currently 2,799 American Airlines pilots on furlough. The
furloughs began shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. Also,
several hundred American Airlines pilots are on full-time military
leave of absence serving in the armed forces. The union's Web site
address is www.alliedpilots.org. American Airlines is the nation's
largest passenger carrier.
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