United and Mesa Apply to TSA to Use TASERs

With the TSA's foot-dragging on their mandated charge to come up with acceptable training and qualifying for pilots to carry guns in the cockpit, both United and Mesa, seeking some kind of security for its cockpit crews, have applied under Section 44903(i) of Title 49, United States Code -- Authority to Arm Flight Deck Crew with Less-than-Lethal Weapons to the U.S. Transportation Security Administration to use advanced TASER M26s onboard all of their aircraft to improve in-flight security. This section of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Bush on November 25, 2002 and requires a response from the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security within 90 days of an air carrier's application.

"This recent action by both air carriers continues to show their unwavering industry leadership in security. I applaud United Airlines and Mesa Airlines as they lead the way toward providing a multi-layered approach for defense of the cockpit by formally requesting that the TSA approve a less-than-lethal weapons pilot program for their flight deck security," commented Tom Smith, president of TASER International, Inc. "United Airlines and Mesa Airlines have devoted more than a year in developing, preparing and implementing most of the required protocols for this program and are awaiting this authorization.

This is encouraging to TASER International that the ADVANCED TASER M26 continues to receive support and focus from these air carriers. United Airlines and Mesa Airlines are confident that the less-than-lethal weapons program that has been developed and recommended for the ADVANCED TASER M26 will become the industry standard," continued Mr. Smith.

FMI: www.TASER.com; www.ual.com; www.mesa-air.com