Thursday, October 18, 2001
By STAFF AND CP
Canadian airliners will be an easy mark for terrorists unless Ottawa beefs up security on jets with air marshals and reinforced cockpit doors, says the head of a pilots union.
The Air Canada Pilots Association said yesterday they are joining the Air Line Pilots Association International and the First Air Pilots Association in a call for air marshals to provide security on Canadian airline flights.
"Clearly, the threat to our pilots, the cabin crew, and our passengers remains," said Capt. Don Johnson, Air Canada association president. "Our pilots are concerned that, as the presence of air marshals is expanded on U.S.-based airlines, Canadian operations may be seen by some as a softer target. The Canadian public deserves the reassurance that they too are being protected."
REINFORCED DOORS
Pilots also want reinforced cockpit doors, federal government run security in airports, better screening of airline and airport workers and a review of hijack procedures with better training for air crews.
The Air Canada pilots are joining with the other unions to press for a meeting with Transportation Minister David Collenette to review the progress on the recommendations.
The Air Canada Pilots Association is Canada's largest professional pilots group, representing 3,600.
The Air Line Pilots Association International and the First Air Pilots Association represent 70,000 North American pilots.
Armed RCMP air marshals were cleared to board Air Canada flights to Washington's Reagan National Airport last week after demands from American officials.
'RADICAL' IDEA
Collenette has said placing air marshals on all Canadian flights is too "radical" for Canadian skies.
Air Canada company officials have said armed marshals are needed on all Canadian flights. Previous story:
Pilots push security
Canuck aviators seek marshals, airport protection
Canadian airliners will be an easy mark for terrorists unless Ottawa beefs up security on jets with air marshals and reinforced cockpit doors, says the head of a pilots union.
The Air Canada Pilots Association said yesterday they are joining the Air Line Pilots Association International and the First Air Pilots Association in a call for air marshals to provide security on Canadian airline flights.
"Clearly, the threat to our pilots, the cabin crew, and our passengers remains," said Capt. Don Johnson, Air Canada association president. "Our pilots are concerned that, as the presence of air marshals is expanded on U.S.-based airlines, Canadian operations may be seen by some as a softer target. The Canadian public deserves the reassurance that they too are being protected."
REINFORCED DOORS
Pilots also want reinforced cockpit doors, federal government run security in airports, better screening of airline and airport workers and a review of hijack procedures with better training for air crews.
The Air Canada pilots are joining with the other unions to press for a meeting with Transportation Minister David Collenette to review the progress on the recommendations.
The Air Canada Pilots Association is Canada's largest professional pilots group, representing 3,600.
The Air Line Pilots Association International and the First Air Pilots Association represent 70,000 North American pilots.
Armed RCMP air marshals were cleared to board Air Canada flights to Washington's Reagan National Airport last week after demands from American officials.
'RADICAL' IDEA
Collenette has said placing air marshals on all Canadian flights is too "radical" for Canadian skies.
Air Canada company officials have said armed marshals are needed on all Canadian flights. Previous story:
THE END
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