[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 141 (Wednesday, October 8, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2008]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 CLOSE THE FLIGHT DECK OFFICER LOOPHOLE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RICHARD H. BAKER

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 8, 2003

  Mr. BAKER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation that 
enhances our national security by closing a loophole in the Federal 
Flight Deck Officer Program.
  Last year, both the House and Senate overwhelmingly passed provisions 
to the Homeland Security Act to allow both commercial and cargo pilots 
to voluntarily possess a firearm in the cockpit. Yet, during conference 
of that bill, cargo pilots were excluded.
  Mr. Speaker, we should not have excluded these individuals. Clearly, 
we must allow these cargo pilots to defend the cockpit, themselves and 
the public. A cargo jet can just as easily be turned into a weapon of 
mass destruction as a passenger plane. Some might ask, ``Why arm cargo 
pilots if they carry no passengers?''
  I believe that is a vital question. Consider these points. Some cargo 
planes do carry a limited number of passengers , yet they do not 
receive equal security received by passenger airlines. Personnel that 
load cargo planes are not required to have the same criminal background 
check that the flight crew receives. The airport perimeter around cargo 
plane facilities is vulnerable. Finally, non-cargo company employees 
are rarely screened prior to gaining access to many operations.
  Mr. Speaker, suppose from any of these scenarios a terrorist made his 
way onto a cargo aircraft. Then, shortly thereafter takeoff, a 
terrorist made his way to the cockpit. Without a doubt, the cargo pilot 
would literally be defenseless to a terrorist. Unlike commercial 
passenger flights, cargo flights do not have federal air marshals or 
flight attendants. Unlike our commercial aircraft, cargo planes do not 
have reinforced cockpit doors. That terrorist would then have the 
opportunity to turn that aircraft into a weapon of mass destruction.
  Mr. Speaker, we cannot allow that to happen and it is our duty to 
protect the American people. There are no logical reasons to exclude 
cargo pilots from being allowed to defend the cockpit, themselves and 
the public. This loophole needs to be closed as it should never have 
been opened.

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