Pilot association identifies airline security progress, gaps

Washington – The Air Line Pilots Association, International recently released a security summary that sheds light on the progress that has been made to secure commercial airlines since 9/11, as well as various shortcomings in aviation security in the United States and Canada.

According to the eight-page statement (.pdf file), released Sept. 27, some of the needed improvements include encouraging the installation of secondary barriers on all airliners, enhancing action to protect aircraft from laser pointers and enhancing government-industry-labor collaboration.

“The 9/11 terrorist attacks resulted in a sea change for aviation security through the combined efforts of government, industry and labor,” the summary said. “ALPA’s view is that aviation security progressed significantly because of these efforts, but ongoing improvements will always be needed to stay ahead of the ever-changing threat.”

ALPA represents about 53,000 pilots who fly planes for roughly 39 different U.S. and Canadian airlines.