Opinion: Don't let excess security cripple our airlines

I believe all Americans recognize the need for additional security following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. However, some of the restrictions being implemented, particularly by the Federal Aviation Administration, seem to be typical knee-jerk reactions implemented in order to "do something," rather than thought-out solutions to the problem. In addition to penknives and box cutters, the airlines are now screening passengers for items such as nail clippers, sewing needles, etc. What about pens and pencils; they are sharp objects? What about car keys? What about people who have black belts in the martial arts? Where does it stop?

The airlines can make flying safer than being in your own bedroom, but to what avail if it brings the system to a halt. Does anyone think that the next terrorists are going to, automaton-like, try to commandeer an aircraft with smuggled-on box cutters? Opportunities for terrorism throughout the country are limited only by one's imagination.

Then there is the regulation banning aircraft from within 3 miles of stadiums holding sporting events. Can you see it: A terrorist is cruising along in his Cessna when he reaches the imaginary 3-mile boundary, whereupon he says, "Rats!, Foiled again by the FAA," turns around and goes home. Unless F-16s are in the air patrolling or antiaircraft batteries are set up around the perimeter of all sporting events, the regulation is unenforceable. So why have it?

The problem, of course, is that the FAA (and others) are obsessed with the tools rather than the users. Inanimate objects, be they handguns, nail clippers or crop dusters, don't go off and commit acts of terrorism. It's the people who would use them that must be identified and stopped. Our borders are much too porous. Even foreigners admitted legally with temporary visas can easily disappear into the system after their visas expire. The INS is a toothless agency. We are much too concerned with being politically correct as opposed to doing what we need to do to weed out undesirables.

How does a businessman who travels several times a week function if, for every one-hour flight, he has to get to the airport three hours early in order to have his bags searched, right down to his dirty underwear. If we let the terrorists bring our airline system to a halt, then they win.

A suggestion: How about allowing frequent fliers apply for a "fliers ID"? Let the FBI do a complete background and security check, similar to what is done to issue security clearances to defense contractors. If he or she passes muster, issue a card with a photo and with a magnetic strip or microchip containing pertinent information (fingerprint scan, mother's maiden name, etc.). The bearer should then be able to bypass the three-hour "search-the-underwear" line, and should be able to board quickly after the appropriate scrutiny. Again, it's the people, not the objects, that must be screened.
-- Philip R. Thompson, Tierra Verde

Let pilots carry guns

We are all for airline pilots being allowed to carry handguns. Certainly they would know better than anyone else the consequences of damage to the plane from an errant gunshot.

Last week I received in the mail an unsolicited catalog for a company advertising equipment for law enforcement and military. No one at my address has been a member of either. I was astounded to find three knives offered for sale from $9 to $137, plus postage. They are non-metallic fighting knives designed with no magnetic signature. The more expensive knife, the Busse Stealth Hawk is advertised as synthetic Damascus steel, "invisible to metal detectors can be pounded through steel drums, car doors, wood planks, etc. without damage."

If these knives are available to me, they would be available to anyone. And their existence causes us to demand that pilots be armed and that airlines provide the added security of a plain-clothed sky marshal immediately.
-- David and Carol Grantges, St. Petersburg

An antiterrorist tactic

Re: Airline safety.

The technology exists to sedate the passengers on an airliner into an unconscious state with a gas. This was brought to light on the Larry King Live show by a caller this week. The argument against the use of this as a method against hijacking was that a (predictably) small percentage of frail passengers could become innocent victims (die).

The apparently an accepted alternative is armed conflict on board the aircraft, possibly resulting in an unpredictable number of casualties, or as a last result, military interdiction resulting in the total loss of the aircraft and all life on board and possible subsequent death and destruction on the ground.
-- Got logic?
Cliff Galbraith, St. Petersburg

Security with a smile

We all deal with stress and in different ways. Now we hear that searching carry-on luggage can be a stressful activity, but we mustn't forget that travel today can also be stressful. In our everyday lives we all meet people who embody friendliness and exude warmth. Maybe we should hope that the person who creates a safe flying environment for us by searching our baggage could also smile and be reassuring at a time when many need reassuring. The teller at the bank, the trainer at the spa and the checkout person at the market smile and still manage to do their jobs effectively and efficiently.

Remember the vast majority of us are going somewhere on business or to visit a friend. I want to apprehend the bad guys, but let's not turn the checkpoints into Cold War checkpoints manned by scowling, authoritarian intimidators. Doing your task and being friendly are not mutually exclusive. Let's all "try a little tenderness." It sure couldn't hurt, and it might make us all feel a little better as we take to the skies again.
-- Don E. Jones, Jr., Safety Harbor

Remember corporate responsibility

Re: American reverses on severance, Sept. 28.

It looks like the "suits" at American Airlines got the word about their penury faster and better than I or the Times ever could have gotten it to them. Hooray for our side.

My one wish for the future, beyond our return to sanity, is that corporations recognize their responsibilities and be good citizens, both at a local level where their warehouses are and at a national level where their "suits" make decisions about products they sell and the people who deliver the goods and services for them.
-- Art Moore, Pinellas Park

Airlines provide vital service

Re: Think before aiding airlines again, editorial, Sept. 27.

As a retired airline employee, I strongly disagree with your objecting to aid to the airlines. Airlines not only provide a vital service to the business world but also to the tourist industry in the state of Florida. Did that ever occur to you?

The $15-billion bailout is a paltry sum compared to aid to wealthy farmers and foreign aid to countries that despise Americans. End this waste of taxpayers money and the airline bailout becomes merely a drop in the bucket.
-- Clinton DeMilt, New Port Richey

Airlines don't deserve aid

Re: The airlines.

Can you believe the nerve of these guys? They let a bunch of hoodlums armed with household utensils steal four airplanes and use them to kill nearly 7,000 people and now they want us to bail them out!

This country became a great economic power largely through the medium of a free market economy. Somehow, in the last few decades, businesses have come to think that they no longer need be accountable to the forces of the economy, that they can continue to offer poor service (remember how we were complaining and launching congressional investigations about poor airline service before Sept. 11?) and pay their executives princely sums while laying off hundreds of the employees who actually do the work.

Well, I say if the airlines can't make it, too bad for them. We've already proven that we can do without them in the days immediately following their big foul up, and if airlines are really essential to this country (as I believe they are), then the market will call forth those who can operate successfully and profitably. The newcomers will have the advantage of bargain prices on equipment from bankrupt airlines to get them started. Maybe we'll even get someone who can do the job right for a change.
-- Kim L. Ground, Tampa

Remember Canada's help

Although I was impressed with the delivery and, for the most part, the content of President Bush's address to a joint session of Congress and the American people, I was appalled to see the quiet and selfless efforts of our Canadian neighbors totally ignored by the president in this same speech.

The Canadian government, on Sept. 11, readily accepted 13 diverted planes containing 2,300 passengers and crew without fearing for its own citizens' personal safety. No one knew if any of those planes contained bombs or other items that could harm the host country. In addition, six planes with 1,200 passengers and crew were diverted to the Edmonton International Airport. In Newfoundland, a relatively small town, where additional flights were diverted, church groups and residents offered to house the passengers, provide toiletries and do whatever was necessary to provide comfort and support to their "surprise guests."

I realize it's important to recognize efforts made by the peoples of places such as South Korea, Australia, Africa and Latin America. I have no quarrel with that. I understand that Britain has been a very strong and loyal ally and needs to be acknowledged as such, but, what about Canada? Why was there no mention of the deeds I have mentioned above. Why was this country's immediate and important assistance not worth a mention during Bush's address? I would hope that the president and his speech writers realize their faux pas! It's still not too late to thank our closest neighbor, a neighbor that has always "been there" for us.
-- Diana Rao, Tampa

Our caring neighbors

My cousin Emily, who is Canadian, called to tell me how very deeply Canadians are feeling our shock, horror and pain over terrorist attacks. They are lining up to donate blood as we are in the United States. I wanted to share the empathy felt by the Canadians. Remember they aren't just tourists, they are our caring neighbors.
-- P. Mann, Palm Harbor

Pork now seems unpatriotic

The next time politicians decide to write legislation or vote for a bill that includes "pork" dollars, they should remember what happened in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania on Sept. 11.

Our tax dollars should be spent promoting the safety and well being of the citizens of the United States, not spent foolishly to make politicians look good. Now we hear how much it is going to cost to provide services we should already have in place. Why don't we look at the dollars that can be saved from the "pork" our lawmakers have voted for and divert these dollars to where they can have a positive impact on our citizens?
-- Terry Tucker, Palm Harbor

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