Fri, Feb 09, 2007
Marks First Effort To Take DHS Program Abroad
ANN has learned the Department of
Homeland Security (DHS) in cooperation with the State Department is
asking permission from foreign countries to allow US pilots to
carry firearms abroad.
Conan Bruce, spokesman for the Federal Air Marshals Service told
USA Today,"It's obvious that there's a threat internationally. We
want to work toward having (armed pilots) be able to perform their
duties on international flights."
But officials acknowledge they're fighting an uphill battle.
Some countries, like Sweden, have blocked even trained US Air
Marshals from carrying weapons on aircraft. And US requests for
Sweden to place Swedish citizens trained as air marshals aboard
US-bound flight have been stonewalled.
"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."
The Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO) program -- the plan under
which pilots are trained to carry and use firearms -- has come
under fire of late. Critics say it's falling short of its potential
because some policies may have dissuaded pilots from
participating.
Some pilots say not having permission to carry weapons overseas
is one of the reasons so many pilots refuse to get involved.
Another is that pilots must take off work, travel to a training
location and arrange for lodging during a week-long training
program -- all at their own expense.
Others say they'd like to see appropriately trained pilots
allowed to carry weapons while sitting in the cabin instead of
keeping them in a lockbox. David Mackett, president of the Airline
Pilots Security Alliance says, "We have thousands of pilots who are
routinely riding in the cabin (as passengers) and could serve as
the last line of defense."
Bruce says officials are working to improve the program to
include issuing trained pilots badges and opening more training
sites to make the periodic required re-certification more
convenient.
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