Return to Transcripts main page
Live From...
We Could Find Out Today What Rules Will be for Arming Pilots
Aired February 25, 2003 - 13:34 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: So, guns in the cockpit. We could find out today what the rules will be for arming commercial pilots against terrorists. The decision will be made by Admiral James Loy, head of the Transportation Security Administration.
CNN's Patty Davis is at Reagan National Airport near Washington -- Patty.
PATTY DAVIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Anderson, you will not see pilots having gunfights in the passenger cabin of an airplane. The Transportation Security Administration says leave that to the air marshals. The pilots job with guns will be to protect the cockpit from intruders.
Now what you will see pilots carrying is 40 caliber semiautomatic pistols. They will get those after they complete 48 hours of training, or five straight days, psychological testing and background checks. And they will be wearing their guns in holsters in flight.
Now, here you see another layer of security here at Reagan National Airport, bag screening.
Now these are recommendations from the Transportation Security Administration on guns in the cockpit. We do, as you said, expect to hear from Admiral James Loy at some point today, head of the TSA, deciding will these recommendations stay, will they change, will he tweak them a bit?
Now, one thing, Anderson, that you will not see in this is cargo pilots being armed. They were axed out of the congressional legislation, and there are moves to arm them as well -- Anderson.
COOPER: Patty, overall what changes have been made since 9/11? Obviously, some we can see easily, some we don't see.
DAVIS: Well, there have been many changes made since 9/11. Number one, and -- which all planes will now have to have in April is stronger cockpit doors. Right now, you see bars on a lot of those cockpit doors. They're going to be strengthened so THAT they're even grenade-proof. Also, the federal government, as you know, has taken over airport security, both passenger screening, as well as bag screening. Air marshals and a lot of flights, thousands of them in the air, protecting passengers and protecting flights.
Also, perimeter security at airports has improved, and that means you can't just drive up to a gate any more and get in -- Anderson.
COOPER: Great. Patty Davis live at Reagan National. Thanks very much. Appreciate it.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Pilots>
Aired February 25, 2003 - 13:34 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: So, guns in the cockpit. We could find out today what the rules will be for arming commercial pilots against terrorists. The decision will be made by Admiral James Loy, head of the Transportation Security Administration.
CNN's Patty Davis is at Reagan National Airport near Washington -- Patty.
PATTY DAVIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Anderson, you will not see pilots having gunfights in the passenger cabin of an airplane. The Transportation Security Administration says leave that to the air marshals. The pilots job with guns will be to protect the cockpit from intruders.
Now what you will see pilots carrying is 40 caliber semiautomatic pistols. They will get those after they complete 48 hours of training, or five straight days, psychological testing and background checks. And they will be wearing their guns in holsters in flight.
Now, here you see another layer of security here at Reagan National Airport, bag screening.
Now these are recommendations from the Transportation Security Administration on guns in the cockpit. We do, as you said, expect to hear from Admiral James Loy at some point today, head of the TSA, deciding will these recommendations stay, will they change, will he tweak them a bit?
Now, one thing, Anderson, that you will not see in this is cargo pilots being armed. They were axed out of the congressional legislation, and there are moves to arm them as well -- Anderson.
COOPER: Patty, overall what changes have been made since 9/11? Obviously, some we can see easily, some we don't see.
DAVIS: Well, there have been many changes made since 9/11. Number one, and -- which all planes will now have to have in April is stronger cockpit doors. Right now, you see bars on a lot of those cockpit doors. They're going to be strengthened so THAT they're even grenade-proof. Also, the federal government, as you know, has taken over airport security, both passenger screening, as well as bag screening. Air marshals and a lot of flights, thousands of them in the air, protecting passengers and protecting flights.
Also, perimeter security at airports has improved, and that means you can't just drive up to a gate any more and get in -- Anderson.
COOPER: Great. Patty Davis live at Reagan National. Thanks very much. Appreciate it.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Pilots>
