Captain David Mackett’s Press Conference Address for the Introduction of the Cockpit Technical Corrections Act

“Good Morning.  I’m Captain David Mackett, President of the Airline Pilots Security Alliance.

The Airline Pilots Security Alliance, as many of you know, was created in the wake of September 11, 2001 by professional airline pilots from every major airline in the United States.  We realized that just as our nation was forever changed by 9/11, so was our profession. 

The crews of the doomed airliners on 9/11 were unwittingly placed on the front lines on the war on terror.  Regrettably, they were defenseless on that day. 

There are literally thousands of ‘what ifs’ surrounding the tragedy of September 11, but the airline pilots who formed APSA were focused on one: 

What if our colleagues, our friends on September 11th had only had the means to defend themselves?  How many lives might have been saved?  How many families spared unspeakable tragedy?

Today is a milestone for the Airline Pilots Security Alliance, whose members have fought tirelessly for a Federal Flight Deck Officer program that embraces common sense, encourages the full participation and support of America’s professional airline pilots, and  - most importantly  - provides a real enhancement to the safety of our passengers - and a real deterrent to the next airliner hijack attack. 

This legislation fixes serious deficiencies in the present Federal Flight Deck Officer program - deficiencies that have kept airline pilots from volunteering by the tens of thousands to be armed. 

While none of us truly relishes the new responsibilities that come with being a commercial airline pilot in the post-9/11 world, we all know the realities.  Realities that include a much-improved but still porous airport security system;

and a terrorist threat that still sees commercial aviation as an attractive target. 

As airline pilots, our fundamental mission remains the same:  get our passengers, our crew, our cargo safely to its destination. 

It is unfortunate but nevertheless true that fulfilling that mission now requires new tools, including an armed cockpit. 

This legislation ensures America’s airline pilots will have access to the tools they need to fulfill their mission. 

APSA wishes to express its gratitude to its thousands of members, who have worked diligently, without compensation, on their days off from flying, to raise public awareness of aviation security issues and establish a dialog with members of Congress. 

It is this dialog, which ultimately led to this important piece of legislation. 

And, especially, APSA would like to thank Senators Jim Bunning, Barbara Boxer and Conrad Burns, and Congressman Joe Wilson, for their leadership on this critical issue. 

Senators Bunning, Boxer and Burns have been instrumental in leading the fight to arm America’s pilots for more than two years to deter and defend our country against terrorism.  Each recognizes the urgency of securing our skies against this threat so every passenger flies in complete safety every day. 

Likewise, Congressman Wilson approached this issue with great energy and determination, and moved mountains to work closely with us and our allies in the Senate, to ensure this bill was introduced.  He is sponsoring parallel legislation in the House.

Against the backdrop of a presidential election year, where partisan battles are the norm, we are grateful that this legislation has earned the endorsement of Congressional friends on both sides of the aisle. 

Senators Bunning, Boxer and Burns, and Congressman Wilson, have sent a clear message that the issue of aviation security transcends party affiliation and political ideology. 

APSA is hopeful this bipartisan spirit will prevail as this bill makes its way through Congress.

Finally, we tell the American People:  If you want to be safe in the air; if you want to hold the government to President Bush’s promise last week – to use ‘every resource, every asset, every power of this government to protect the American people,’ from an airline hijack attack - tell your government and tell your airlines, to support the Cockpit Technical Corrections Act of 2004.   Thank you."