Getting Americans flying again

By Staff
Oct. 1, 2001
President Bush's proposed new security measures for air travel in the United States may not do much to stop the evil of terrorists, who may simply figure out different modes of operation from their last attack. But the steps should make hijacking less likely and should therefore do something else sorely needed restore the faith of Americans in commercial flight as a safe means of transportation.
The proposals of strengthening cockpit doors and putting more air marshals on flights make sense in light of what happened Sept. 11. Neither is cheap. A number of doors will have to be substantially modified, for instance. The president also wants to put the federal government in charge of screening passengers and baggage at airports. It will take a while for these and other changes to occur, and so the president is asking that the National Guard in all 50 states be temporarily called up to assist in airport security.
It's vital that Americans start flying again, as the president knows. The economy is in trouble, and a prospering airline industry is important to its health. The airlines are now reeling and laying off thousands as a consequence of being grounded after the terrorist attacks and of a huge drop in the number of passengers.
We hope the new policies don't dampen the enthusiasm of ordinary citizens for flying sometime soon.