TSA delaying armed pilots program
By: Administrative Account | Source: IRN NEWS
January 15, 2004 6:32PM EST

Despite the clear will of the Congress, public support and pilots willing undergo intense training, the armed pilots program continues to be treated like an unwanted stepchild by the Transportation Security Agency. Of the nearly 100,000 pilots in the American civilian air fleet only 12 To 15 hundred have passed through the program. Many familiar with the program, that is supposed to train pilots as Federal Flight Deck Officers, say that it sets up ridiculous barriers to participation. There are also implied threats by those at the top of the TSA that personal information on deck officer applications could be leaked to the public. While the bureaucrats at the TSA interfere with a program to discourage terrorists and protect the flying public the only answer to a flight taken by suicidal hijackers is to shoot it down.