By Casi Herbst
Pilots will soon be packing a new addition during flights around the United States -- a gun.
The Transportation Security Administration, created after Sept. 11 to protect the U.S. from future airline attacks, is implementing a program that will place .40-caliber semiautomatic pistols in airplane cockpits around the country.
The preliminary tests for the gun program will begin this spring with 4 dozen pilots carrying the pistols. Pilot will qualify to carry the gun based on through background and psychological tests.
After these tests the qualified pilots will have a 5-day training for the weapons including lessons on legal policies, marksmanship and defensive tactics. After completing training, the pilot will be sworn in as a federal flight deck officer.
The guns will not be carried into the cockpit in holsters. They will be transported in locked cases enclosed in non-descript bags. Once inside the cockpit, pilots may holster the gun.
'We don''t want that weapon floating around inside the cabin,' said TSA spokesman Robert Johnson to the Associated Press. 'It is for the express purpose, according to the law, of defending the cockpit during the flight.'
Others do not like the idea of transporting the guns into the cockpit in a case.
'We propose that we carry the weapon concealed personally on our body because that is the safest, most secure way for us to transfer the weapon,' said Al Atkin, spokesman for the Allied Pilots Association to the Associated Press.
Some pilots also contest the psychological testing they would be subject to.
The Air Transport Association contests the initial decision in allowing handguns in the cockpit in a letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
'In the aftermath of Sept. 11, we understand the rationale for providing crewmembers with means to defend themselves and their aircraft. However, we believe that allowing guns aboard every aircraft in the absence of comprehensive research and testing and without a full evaluation of the potential consequences is ill-advised,' according to the Air Transport Associations letter.
The program is entirely funded by the TSA with $500,000 at this point. However, the administration officials have asked for additional government assistance. Government funding would be approximately $850 million, according to the Air Transport Association.
South West Airlines has not received any written statements about implementing the program yet. However, they are not opposed to it.
'Of course we would cooperate with any program they (the TSA) put out there,' said Beth Harbin, spokeswoman for South West Airlines. However, since the program is voluntary the airlines do not yet know if any of their respective pilots will be involved.
Delta Airlines had no comment on the issue.
Having a gun in the cabin would make some feel more at ease during the flight.
'I think it''s safer,' said Hillari Eaton, a flight attendant. Because of what happened on Sept. 11, it would be nice to know that someone could help, she said.
Eaton said she and her associates do not feel safe now.
Others feel differently.
'I don''t think it''s a good idea,' said Gary Woodruff, a retired Captain for Delta Airlines.