securityaboardcommercialaircraft.docVIP

Security Aboard Commercial Aircraft Airline Security Analysts Rebecca Neal Beth Schuetz Brad Steinfeldt Andrzej Stewart Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics The University of Texas at Austin Austin, Texas 78712 December 7, 2003 Executive Summary Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the United States of America scrutinized the security of the commercial airline industry. Major security breaches allowed terrorists to board four commercial flights, which eventually led to the aircrafts’ hijacking and demise. In response to these flaws in the nation’s security, the United States Congress passed House Resolution 5005, The Homeland Security Act of 2002. Included in the number of initiatives set forth in this act was a program allowing pilots to carry firearms while in the cockpit following their certification as Federal flight deck officers. Pilots carrying guns in the cockpit pose many problems. Firearms that have lead-core bullets have the potential to cause destruction to an aircraft’s systems and structure. Furthermore, firearms may fall under terrorist control because they are not bound to a single person. Another concern is the ability for guns to distract pilots from their primary purpose—to fly the aircraft. When the government selected guns as the primary defense in the cockpit, they failed to undertake a comprehensive analysis of alternatives. Pilots and airlines have access to numerous alternatives, ranging from pre-fragmented bullets to total cockpit isolation, which provide the same or better protection when compared to guns. Hence, the Airline Security Analysts recommend new legislation that supercedes the Homeland Security Act of 2002. The new legislation would eventually phase out guns in the cockpit, temporarily replacing them with one or more of the available alternatives, and fund further research into aircraft security. Table of Contents Executive Su