Urges Pilots, Passengers And Advocates To Contact The Agency

Since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, ALPA has been working to get federal legislation passed that would make the installation of secondary flight deck barriers mandatory on newly manufactured passenger aircraft. This unrelenting effort was successful, and ALPA scored a major victory when Congress passed the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, a bipartisan effort that among other measures mandated secondary flight deck barriers on newly manufactured passenger airliners. In the legislation, Congress called for the FAA to issue a rule mandating these barriers by Oct. 5, 2019. That date has now come and gone, with no action from the FAA and no new secondary barriers installed.

Last week, ALPA sent a letter to Administrator Dickson urging him to follow the law and immediately issue a rule requiring the installation of these much needed security devices. In the letter, ALPA president Capt. Joe DePete wrote, “Let’s not wait for another 9/11 type terror attack before action is taken. We should forego the charade of the working group, and instead utilize the data we already have and implement the law—immediately.”

ALPA remains deeply disappointed in the FAA’s response on this important issue. Rather than issuing the rule as Congress intended, the FAA is employing a blatant stall tactic promoted by special interests and forming a working group to do more study, despite years of research. By dragging its feet and wasting resources, the FAA is thumbing its nose at Congress, threatening the flying public, disrespecting pilots, and doing the bidding of special interests.

ALPA has now launched a new call to action encouraging pilots, passengers and aviation safety advocates to reach out to the FAA and tell them to cut through the red tape, end this paralysis by analysis, and immediately issue a final rule.

(Source: ALPA news release. Image from ALPA document)

FMI: www.alpa.org/advocacy/cta/secondary-barriers