March 1, 2004: On January 5, 2004 the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) doubled the Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO) training capacity at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), Artesia, NM. Classes scheduled through spring 2004 will operate at maximum capacity.

The TSA is continuing its efforts to make the program friendlier to the pilot population. It has significantly increased the number of sites provided for written testing and psychological evaluation. Likewise, the number of locations dedicated to re-qualification has noticeably grown.

Because of significant pilot participation, and because TSA continues to find ways to make the FFDO program more efficient, cost savings are being recognized and re-invested in the initiative. As example, the price of food and lodging for one week at Artesia will soon be reduced by 20% to $144.00.

In November 2003 legislation was signed which opened the FFDO program to flight deck crew members of all-cargo carriers. Applications are currently being accepted from all eligible commercial pilots on the TSA website (https://tsatesting.net/ffdo/). The prototype training class for the all-cargo group will commence on April 26, 2004. ALPA’s FFDO Activity Team is actively engaged with TSA’s Aviation Operations group (AvOps) to assist them in developing training protocols and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all-cargo FFDOs. ALPA has recommended that the curriculum closely parallel that utilized for passenger FFDOs, with slight variations in situational training exercises.

Recently, media attention has been focused on perceived problems with current FFDO procedures, such as those relating to the transport and carriage of assigned weapons. Restrictions related to Sensitive Security Information (SSI) prevent specific discussion of these issues in a public forum. Although ALPA supports the FFDO program in general, it has publicly acknowledged dissatisfaction with certain portions of its current protocols, and continues its efforts to see these issues addressed and rectified.

On January 14, 2004 ALPA’s President, Captain Duane Woerth, met with TSA Acting Administrator David Stone to discuss the FFDO program and provide our views on its implementation. On February 11, 2004 Captain Woerth wrote to Senator Jim Bunning (R/KY), expressing ALPA’s interest in meeting with members of Congress to provide its thoughts on the FFDO program (read letter).

On February 19, 2004 representatives of ALPA’s FFDO Activity Team met with the TSA AvOps group in Washington, DC to discuss the potential establishment of a Professional Standards initiative within the FFDO program. ALPA National Professional Standards Committee Chairman, Captain Michael Calabrese (AWA), provided a detailed briefing on the merits of the program.

For more than one year, ALPA’s FFDO Activity Team, led by Captain Edwin Folsom (UAL), has remained actively engaged in positive dialogue with the TSA AvOps group in an effort to represent the best interests of ALPA’s membership and to ensure a professional and highly effective FFDO program. That dialogue continues to this date.

Any flight deck crew member interested in applying for the FFDO program may do so by visiting the TSA application website at https://tsatesting.net/ffdo/.

August 29, 2003: On April 19, 2003 the prototype Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO) class graduated from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), Glynco, GA. Beginning July 20, 2003 a new class has commenced training there on a weekly basis. Because of capacity issues at Glynco, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has elected to relocate FFDO training to the FLETC, Artesia, NM, beginning September 8, 2003.

At the request of the TSA, members of ALPA’s Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO) Activity Team visited the Artesia training site on August 19, 2003. TSA extended the invitation to provide ALPA’s representatives with a better understanding of Artesia’s facilities so that the experience could be shared with the membership. Because the team members are familiar with the Glynco training facility, they were able to fairly assess the Artesia site.

Team members were positively impressed with the Artesia facility. They report that the TSA Law Enforcement Training leadership and cadre are highly motivated and maintain a positive attitude towards the FFDO program. The physical plant is more conducive to FFDO training than the Glynco facility. Training buildings exclusively dedicated to FFDO training are currently under construction. Three full-size, narrow-body aircraft are available for situational training. Private dormitory rooms with individual bathroom facilities are available for students at a rate of $15.00 per night. Low-cost food and laundry services are also available.

The facility is located approximately four hours ride from the El Paso and Albuquerque airports. In order to lessen the impact of this travel time, TSA will provide state-of-the-art bus service to transport candidates to and from the airports. Part of this ground travel time will be used to begin in-processing paperwork.

It is the opinion of ALPA’s FFDO Activity Team that the Artesia facility is more than adequately equipped to provide professional training for FFDO candidates. Coupling the physical resources with the cooperative attitude of the training staff, a positive training experience can be expected.

Recently, attention has been drawn attention to problems that are known to exist within the FFDO program. ALPA’s FFDO Activity Team is thoroughly familiar with the program’s protocols and training curriculum, and acknowledges that there is room for improvement in a number of areas. Towards that end, the Activity Team continues to work with TSA at high levels to maintain positive aspects of the program, encourage enhancements, and to correct shortcomings.

Part of the formula for success in these efforts includes maintaining a positive relationship with TSA leadership. Progress in this area is evidenced by the fact that ALPA was invited to tour the Artesia facility and to offer input on ways of improving the training process. Future reports will delineate other successes in the enhancement of the program.

The FFDO Activity Team encourages any pilot who is interested in becoming an FFDO to continue in that pursuit. This program is historic and of great value in protecting our industry, our economy and the well-being of our nation. For additional information on the program, members are encouraged to contact their MEC Security Chairman/Coordinator.

Pictures of the FLETC facility have been included with this article.

April 29, 2003: On April 19, 2003, forty-four airline pilots completed a grueling, one-week course of Federal Flight Deck Officer training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco, Georgia. Upon graduation, they were deputized as federal law enforcement officers and issued federal credentials, a firearm and other equipment. Thus was realized the initial reward of many months of hard lobbying and campaigning for a program that few in government or industry gave more than a slight chance of succeeding.

The National Security Committee continues its close working relationship with the TSA on the FFDO issue, and is committed to ensuring a professional, effective program. As new developments occur, they will be documented on this website.

March 21, 2003:  At the invitation of the Transportation Security Administration, three members of ALPA’s Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO) Implementation Team visited the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia on March 19th. The TSA extended the invitation to solicit ALPA’s views on the training curriculum that has been established for the prototype, weeklong, FFDO training class that is scheduled to commence April 13, 2003. Thirty-five ALPA members have been selected to participate as students in that class of 48 FFDO trainees.

TSA trainers provided an overview of the entire course curriculum, and an in-depth look at the firearms and defensive tactics training it plans to provide to FFDO candidates. ALPA FFDO Implementation Team members were pleased with the course content and were able to offer suggestions to enhance its practical application. TSA training personnel were receptive to ALPA’s recommendations.

The National Security Committee continues its close working relationship with the TSA on the FFDO issue, and is committed to ensuring a professional, effective program. As new developments occur, they will be documented on this website.

March 13, 2003: The Senate Commerce Committee today unanimously adopted an amendment offered by Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), which is identical to her bill, S.516, mandating the arming of cargo airline pilots. This vote clears the way for Senate action on this crucial security enhancement, as part of S.165, a bill that deals with other cargo security issues.

In other news, the TSA e-mailed a formal notification today to ALPA’s successful Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO) candidates, an undisclosed number of alternates, and those remaining applicants of the 75 submitted who were not selected for the prototype-training program. TSA emphasized that non-acceptance should not be considered as a rejection, and reminded those candidates not chosen for the developmental class that they will be eligible to re-apply when the application process is opened to the entire pilot population in the future.

On April 13, 2003, forty-eight pilots are to report to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), in Glynco, Georgia to participate in a six-day, forty-eight hour course of instruction in the Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO) program. Thirty-five of these candidates were chosen from a pool of seventy-five applicants provided by ALPA to the TSA upon its request.  

Those candidates who successfully complete prototype training will be deputized as FFDOs and field deployed for approximately one month for evaluation purposes. This policy is intended to measure the success of the training program and the practicality of its application during line operations.  The TSA has not yet finalized plans for future FFDO classes. That decision will be impacted by multiple variables, including, but not limited to, effectiveness of the prototype training, realities of field deployment, budget and training resource capabilities.

The National Security Committee continues to work closely with the TSA on the development of the FFDO training program. As an example, on March 19, 2003, an ALPA delegation is scheduled to visit FLETC to provide feedback to the TSA on the prototype course of instruction. As more specific information about the program becomes available, it will be communicated to ALPA's membership through the website and other means.  

February 26, 2003:  The TSA publicly released late yesterday an “action memorandum to the Under Secretary” which, under the signature of Admiral James Loy, establishes the Federal Flight Deck Officer program as required by the Homeland Security Act of 2002.  The document describes the elements of the program, which includes such issues as the selection process, initial training, re-qualification training, deputation, credentials, type of weapon, method of weapon transport, division of responsibility, and the prototype program.  ALPA is one of only three organizations asked to nominate individuals to participate in the prototype program of 48 students.

The TSA’s FFDO prototype program guidance apparently violates a specific provision in the law that created the program, which requires training “to ensure that the officer maintains exclusive control over the officer’s firearm at all times.”  By letter sent today, Captain Duane Woerth again communicated to Admiral Loy ALPA’s opposition to any firearm carriage method that separates the FFDO pilot from his or her weapon and made other recommendations aimed at improving the prototype program.

The ALPA FFDO application review panel has completed its work and is submitting to the TSA the names of 75 ALPA members who were vetted with and recommended by their respective MECs to fill one of the available prototype-program trainee slots.  The TSA has told ALPA that they will contact each individual and provide him or her with all of the information needed to begin the agency’s formal FFDO application process.  Any ALPA member who is not contacted by the TSA about the prototype program will be able, at a future date, to apply for subsequent FFDO classes.  The FFDO prototype class is expected to be held over six days in April 2003, and is to be evaluated by the TSA for two to three weeks thereafter before full implementation begins.

February 24, 2003: Some questions have been raised recently about ALPA’s stance regarding several aspects of the FFDO program, particularly, its position on the candidate selection process.   ALPA has consistently promoted the creation of a federal law enforcement officer program formed from the ranks of airline pilots with the result being the designation of an individual as a federal law enforcement officer who is also a pilot.  This is in contrast to other groups who are merely advocating a position that pilots be allowed to carry guns.

ALPA’s consistent view is that the FFDO program should be designed and implemented as a genuine law enforcement effort, with all of the same selection criteria, training methods, proficiencies, and expectations of any highly trained federal law enforcement agency.  ALPA believes that in order for the FFDO to have all of the same rights and privileges as any other federal LEO, we must also be willing to submit to the same rigors as any other federal LEO, including the selection criteria for federal LEOs.

It is noteworthy that this process includes different screening criteria from that which pilots may have been exposed to in the past.  The law enforcement community has determined through years of experience that the psychological requirements needed for an individual to apply lethal force are distinct from requirements in other professions, and must be included in, and considered an integral part of, any selection process involving federal law enforcement officers.  In light of this fact, ALPA does not believe that a credible or consistent argument can be made that pilots, just because they are pilots, have already met this standard of evaluation.  ALPA is in agreement that FFDOs must meet this requirement as part of their selection for this important position.

ALPA will maintain its consistent stance on the FFDO program and will continue to work with the TSA to create a top-notch law enforcement cadre comprised of our professional pilots.  A memo from ALPA’s National Security Committee chairman also addresses this topic.

The National Security Committee’s (NSC’s) FFDO application review panel met today to select the names of ALPA members who applied on-line last week to be considered by the TSA for a slot in the initial class of 48 students.  All applications were forwarded to each pilot’s respective MEC, which then supplied the names of those applicants whom they selected for consideration to the review panel.  After receipt of the ALPA review panel’s selections, the TSA will contact those pilots whom the agency wishes to interview for one of the class slots.  Pilots who are not selected by the TSA for the initial class will, in the future, be able to apply directly to the TSA for training.  ALPA will have no involvement in that process, but it will keep the membership updated on how to apply, once those details are made available.

ALPA’s First Vice President, Captain Dennis Dolan, and other ALPA representatives met with TSA last Wednesday, the 19^th, to hear the agency’s preliminary recommendations regarding the FFDO program.  It was learned that the TSA intends to equip FFDO’s with a .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun, manufacturer unknown.  ALPA’s strong recommendation had been for a semi-automatic instead of a revolver, so that news was well received.  Other particulars about the program were also consistent with ALPA’s long-standing recommendations.

However, TSA representatives stated that they would recommend to the Under Secretary for Transportation Security that FFDO pilots be required to stow their weapons in a locked box that would be carried in their kit bag, or some other bag, in the cargo hold of the aircraft, when either deadheading or commuting.  ALPA’s President, Captain Duane Woerth, wrote a letter to TSA Undersecretary James Loy today to express his concerns about that method of weapon carriage.  Captain Woerth recommended that FFDO’s be permitted to carry the weapon on their person at all times, which is the standard for all U.S. law enforcement.

February 19, 2003:  Over the past seven days, thousands of ALPA members took advantage of a unique opportunity to volunteer for training in the TSA's initial class of 48 FFDO students.  An application form was posted on this website, which interested pilots could complete and submit.  Each submitted form has been forwarded to the individual's respective MEC, which will select a certain number of them to be forwarded to the ALPA FFDO application review panel, comprised of all-cargo airline pilots.  The panel is to meet on Friday, February 21, to make selections from those forms and provide them to the TSA next week.  TSA will directly notify those applicants whom it desires to interview for the training slots. 

Those pilots who are not selected by the TSA for the initial class will, in the future, be able to apply directly to the TSA for training.  ALPA will have no involvement in that process, but it will keep the membership updated on how to apply, once those details are made available.

ALPA representatives, including its First Vice President, Capt. Dennis Dolan, are meeting with high-level TSA personnel today to review the agency's plans for the FFDO program.  As more information becomes available about this subject, it will be posted on this site.

February 12, 2003: Several months ago, ALPA recommended to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) that it create a "pilot" Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO) training program to test its curriculum before expanding its use to train pilots nationwide. TSA has endorsed that concept and is now soliciting from ALPA the names of qualified volunteers for its first class of 48 pilots. ALPA members who are interested in being considered for the initial class of FFDO volunteers should submit an application form online (the application deadline was February 18; we will continue to inform you on the progress of the program).

Capt. Duane Woerth, in a February 11, 2003 letter to affected MECs, explained the ALPA/TSA FFDO application and selection process. That letter is posted on the National Security Committee’s (NSC’s) web page for the edification of those interested in learning more about those procedures.

On February 7, 2003, ALPA met with TSA FFDO Task Force members regarding selection criteria for pilot candidates. The highly qualified government representatives responsible for establishing the selection standards expressed many of the same perspectives on selection as those stated by ALPA’s FFDO Implementation Team.

Because TSA has not yet finalized the selection criteria for the FFDO, Task Force members were unable to provide ALPA with specifics related to that issue. They were, however, able to provide ALPA representatives with the following general objectives, intended to ensure that FFDO volunteers selected for the program:

• Are likely to be successful in FFDO training and subsequent re-qualifications;

• Have the requisite mental, psychological, and cognitive abilities, as well as the discipline and judgment, to perform all FFDO responsibilities in compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, policies and procedures;

• Conduct themselves with maximum regard for the safety and security of the traveling public, crew members, and FAMs when in possession of, or in a position of access to a weapon, and;

• Are willing and able to use deadly force when appropriate to do so.

On January 28 and 29, 2003, ALPA met with the TSA Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO) Task Force to continue dialogue relating to the FFDO Program. Key members of ALPA’s FFDO Implementation Team were present including Capt. Steve Luckey, Chairman of the ALPA NSC, Capt. Tom Walsh, Director of Aircraft Security for the NSC, F/O Mike Flohr, FFDO Implementation Team member, and Mr. Jim Andresakes, ALPA Sr. Security Specialist. The TSA also brought in several outside subject matter experts in self-defense, defensive tactics and firearms training. This two-day meeting included discussion of many of the requirements of the new FFDO program and a visit to an actual commercial airliner cockpit. TSA FFDO task force members were able to see first hand the cockpit environment which airline pilots must be able to defend. ALPA believes that this experience enabled the Association to make a convincing case for an effective FFDO program.

The NSC is unable to provide details of actual discussions and decisions of the group due to security concerns and non-disclosure statements signed by all present. However, a full briefing was given to the MEC Security Committee Chairmen and NSC at their joint meeting held in Herndon, Virginia, February 5th and 6th. It should be noted that the mission of the TSA FFDO task force is to provide options for the Undersecretary of Transportation Security, Admiral James Loy, to consider, not make the final decisions. Although it appears that ALPA has helped the TSA make significant progress toward a successful program, its eventual outcome is yet to be determined. Members are encouraged to contact their respective Security Committees for further information.

January 16, 2003: ALPA National Security Committee (NSC) representatives met with a sizeable group of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel on December 10, 2002, to provide line pilot input on selecting, training, and equipping airline pilot volunteers to serve as Federal Flight Deck Officers (FFDOs). The meeting established ALPA's significant credentials and experience in this arena and provided TSA with considerable information about the association's proposals and implementation concepts.

The NSC FFDO Implementation Team met December 17-18, 2002, in Herndon, Virginia. Members of that team include the NSC chairman and certain Committee members, the chairmen of ALPA’s Captain’s Authority and Professional Standards Committees, firearms training experts, and staff. The purpose of that meeting was to discuss and finalize ALPA’s views on FFDO program particulars, such as the type of firearm to be used, optimal weapon carriage methods, deadheading and commuting issues, educational materials about the program, and so forth.

At the TSA’s request, NSC and FFDO Implementation Team representatives met again this week, on January 14^th, with key agency decision makers about the FFDO program. The TSA expressed its appreciation for ALPA’s input into its deliberations – the ongoing exchange of information will, the NSC believes, be quite beneficial to the final program.

TSA has a congressionally mandated deadline of February 25, 2003, to begin training pilots as FFDOs, and the NSC fully expects that the agency will meet the deadline. TSA has not yet announced a mechanism for obtaining FFDO training applications, but it is expected that they will do so some time prior to the February 25 deadline in order to begin training on or before that date. Once ALPA is made aware of the TSA’s FFDO application process, the membership will be notified immediately.

The NSC and FFDO Implementation Team continue to play a key role in the development of the FFDO program. Additional meetings with TSA are expected in the very near future.

On November 25, President Bush signed the Homeland Security Act of 2002, which included an important provision that created in law the Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO) program. The Transportation Security Administration was given responsibility for establishing this program to use the services of volunteer airline pilots to defend the flight decks of passenger aircraft. An important omission from the new law, which ALPA intends to see rectified in early 2003, was the exclusion of cargo airline pilots from this program.

The TSA has been given until February 25, 2003, to develop the procedural requirements to carry out the program under this section. ALPA's National Security Committee is

 actively involved in discussions with the TSA concerning the development of these procedures with the goal of ensuring that the best possible FFDO program is created.

The law requires the TSA to begin the process of training and deputizing FFDO's on February 25th.

The TSA has not indicated that it wants, or needs, airline pilot volunteers to identify themselves at this time. ALPA members will be informed immediately of any TSA guidance on how to volunteer for this program, once that criteria is published.

On September 5, 2002, the U.S. Senate voted 87-6 in favor of the Boxer-Smith Amendment to the pending Homeland Security legislation (HR 5005) despite continuing objections by the Bush administration and intense lobbying against the measure by airline managements. The amendment, supported by a bipartisan majority of senators, permits qualified airline pilots to carry firearms in the cockpit and would include self-defense training for flight attendants. The overwhelming vote, according to the Wall Street Journal, sets the stage "for a major shift in federal airline security procedures" and reflects the support of a strong majority of U.S. citizens for the protections afforded by armed airline pilots. The U.S. House of Representatives voted 310 to 113 to approve a similar measure on July 10. ALPA's Government Affairs Department continues to do an extraordinary job of shaping legislation and garnering bipartisan support for final legislation that recognizes the airline pilot as the last line of defense against airborne terrorism.

On July 10, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 310-113 to approve a bill allowing selective arming of airline pilots. House members amended the measure before their vote to drop limits on the number of pilots who could volunteer to be armed and to make the program permanent rather than a two-year experiment. ALPA’s president, Capt. Duane Woerth, noted that ALPA members were “extremely pleased with the House of Representatives’ vote. Voluntary arming of airline pilots is another necessary layer in our overall efforts to provide a robust and effective defense against terrorism.” He added, “Our hope now is that the Senate and the White House will recognize that the overwhelming House vote reflects enormous public support for arming pilots, and that they will work toward making this a successful program.”

 On June 19, ALPA hailed Congressional leaders for reaching consensus on a bipartisan substitute amendment to H.R.4635, the Arming Pilots Against Terrorism Act. The substitute amendment paves the way for a 2-year test program allowing as many as 1,400 pilots to have firearms in the cockpit.

ALPA’s president, Capt. Duane Woerth, said that U.S. Representatives Don Young (R-Alaska), John Mica (R-Fla.), Jim Oberstar (D-Minn.), and William Lipinski (D-Ill.) created a realistic experimental program that gives airline pilots the right to use deadly force as a last line of defense against terrorism aboard an airliner.

The legislation that the U.S. House Subcommittee on Aviation developed is scheduled to be marked up by the full Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on June 26.

Major provisions of the substitute legislation include the following:

• The bill establishes 2-year test of allowing guns in the cockpit.

• The 2-year period would begin only when the first 250 pilots have been deputized to carry a firearm in the cockpit.

• The number of deputized pilots would be capped at 2 percent of the total airline pilot workforce (about 1,400 pilots).

• Pilots who have had military or law enforcement experience would be given preference in selection.

• Pilots must successfully complete training approved by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) before being deputized.

• Before deputizing pilots, the TSA must establish the protocols for carrying guns (i.e., type of firearm, type of ammunition, where the firearm is stored, pilot interaction with federal air marshals, and ensuring that no flight crew members take the gun into the cabin).

• At the end of the 2-year test period, TSA would issue a report to Congress and decide whether to continue, expand, or end the program.

• The bill requires separate self-defense training for flight attendants.

• The timeline for implementing the test program is as follows:

- Two months after the date of enactment, the TSA must have established the protocols for carrying guns in the cockpit.

- Two months after the date of enactment (or four months if TSA takes two months to establish the protocols), TSA begins deputizing pilots to carry firearms.

- When 250 pilots have been deputized, the 2-year test period begins.

- At the end of the 2-year period, TSA issues the report and decides whether to continue, expand, or end the program.

- If the TSA decides to continue or expand the program, it must propose rules for the program within 60 days.

On June 6, syndicated columnist George Will published a column favoring the arming of pilots. This column followed up on his editorial of one week prior, in which he used comments from three pilots to build a case against firearms in the cockpit. In his follow-up editorial, Will offered views from three other airline pilots that completely rebutted those offered in his first column, which ran in newspapers across the U.S.

ALPA's response to Will's initial column included an open letter to Will providing a line-by-line deconstruction of his editorial, and a letter to the editors of major newspapers that ran Will's column.

ALPA commends Mr. Will for his thoughtful presentation of factual rebuttals to the erroneous statements in his first column on this subject, and for ultimately endorsing firearms in the cockpit. 

During ALPA's 89th Regular Executive Board Meeting ending May 23, the Board, comprising the Master Executive Council chairmen from each ALPA-represented pilot group, voted unanimously to support a responsible program of arming pilots.

In a hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee on Tuesday, May 21, John Magaw, undersecretary for transportation security, said he would not authorize the arming of volunteer airline pilots as a deterrent and defense against terrorist attacks involving the commandeering of airliners. "After a lot of consultation and realizing my experience in law enforcement, I will not authorize firearms in the cockpit," Magaw said. Magaw's statement conforms to the Bush administration's previous comments on arming pilots. 

ALPA responded by reiterating its advocacy of a responsible program to arm pilots and its support of H.R. 4635, the Arming Pilots Against Terrorism Act, a bill that would mandate a federal program for selective training, deputizing, and arming of airline pilots. The response included the assertion that ALPA's specific proposals on arming pilots address -- and solve -- the concerns most often raised by opponents. (See ALPA's Q&A document for a summary of these issues and answers.) 

ALPA Government Affairs staff and members of ALPA's Security Task Force worked closely with the bill's sponsors -- House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Don Young (R-AK) and House Aviation Subcommittee Chairman John Mica (R-FL) -- to develop the proposed legislation. ALPA's advocacy of the proposal included testimony from Capt. Stephen Luckey, chairman of ALPA's Flight Security Committee, on Thursday, May 2 before the House Aviation Subcommittee, and a press release summarizing his remarks.

Unless and until H.R. 4635 becomes law, ALPA will continue to pursue the same goal through some existing legislation, the Aviation and Transportation Security Act (ATSA), signed into law on November 19, 2001. ATSA allows, but does not mandate, a reasonable, well-regulated program of training to permit selected volunteer pilots to have access to a firearm on the flight deck as a last line of defense. This law stipulates that such a program may proceed only with the approval of the Undersecretary for Transportation Security and the pilot’s respective airline employer.