Access Control
& Security Systems

U.S. Secretary of Transportation (DOT) Norman Y. Mineta has announced the creation of two rapid response teams to deliver detailed recommendations for improving security within the national aviation system.

Augmenting the work of senior DOT and FAA experts, six national leaders in aviation and security protection will participate in the comprehensive review, and they will deliver their recommendations to Mineta no later than Oct. 1.

One rapid response team will focus on increasing security at the nation's airports, the other on aircraft security, focusing on cockpit access. The two rapid response teams, which will directly report to Mineta, will be coordinated by Deputy Transportation Secretary Michael P. Jackson.

"Last week, we successfully restored operations within our national air system," Mineta said. "Our efforts must now turn to developing long-term, sustainable security improvements within our airports and the aircrafts themselves as we continue to provide all Americans the highest possible levels of safety."

"These are complex issues, but we have a strong base on which to build. We can and will build on existing analysis as the Department of Transportation prepares to act on specific recommendations. I'm confident that each of these distinguished Rapid Response Team members will help us do just that."

Participating in the rapid response team on airport security will be: Herb Kelleher, chairman of the board of directors of Southwest Airlines; Raymond Kelly, former commissioner of the U.S. Customs Service and veteran law enforcement officer; and Charles M. (Chip) Barclay, president of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE).

Participating in the rapid response team on aircraft security will be: Robert W. Baker, vice chairman of American Airlines; Robert A. Davis, former vice president of engineering and technology for The Boeing Company; and Capt. Duane Woerth, president of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA).

ALPA has long advocated arming pilots, and the association reiterated its wishes for a change in regulations coupled with firearms training for pilots. ALPA urged the FAA to authorize these changes immediately, with training to commence following the decision.

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