Protecting the Flight Deck – The Federal Flight Deck Officer Program

The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks demonstrated the need for airline pilots to be provided with additional resources to prevent hijackers from taking control of the cockpit. While increased security at airport checkpoints, the use of federal air marshals, and hardened cockpit doors have greatly increased the protections against hijackers, singularly and even in combination they are not foolproof. Pilots demanded one additional layer of defense inside the cockpit. Firearms were the only logical choice.

On Sept. 25, 2001, just two weeks after the attack, the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) became the first major organization to call for a program to train and arm airline pilots. ALPA’s proposal, presented at Congressional hearings, envisioned four basic principles: the program must be voluntary; applicants would undergo the same screening and background checks as federal law enforcement officers; they would receive intensive training at a federal training center; and successful candidates would be sworn in as federal law enforcement agents.

On November 26, 2002, the President signed the Homeland Security Act, which included implementing provisions of the Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO) program. Its main provisions tracked exactly with the ALPA proposal. The first pilots’ training class was completed in April 2003 and additional classes have graduated weekly since that time. Although cargo airline pilots originally had been prohibited from the program, ALPA sought and achieved a legislative change that now allows them to participate.

The training curriculum incorporates an intensive, week-long combination of instruction in legal issues, use of force policies, firearms proficiency, and defensive tactics. Because the FFDO’s jurisdiction is limited to defense of the cockpit, pilots are taught that their firearms can only be used to defend it against a direct attack.

For security reasons, the number of participating pilots is not divulged; however, the program continues to generate additional trained and armed FFDOs every week. In October 2005, the Federal Air Marshal Service assumed responsibility for its management.

Although ALPA is pleased with the overall performance of the FFDO program, certain aspects of its Standard Operating Procedures are in need of refinement. ALPA has articulated its concerns in the Federal Flight Deck Officer White Paper which may be accessed on the public page of the ALPA website.

Arming trained and federally deputized pilots represents only one part of the many valuable changes that have been effected since 9/11. Nevertheless, the FFDO program adds a significant layer of protection to our commercial aviation system, and more importantly, provides a deterrent against a repetition of the events that occurred on that date.

Click here for ALPA's Recommendations for Improvements to the FFDO Program.