Dateline: 09/27/01

Speaking at a rally of airline workers at Chicago's O'Hare Field, President Bush today announced new measures to be taken by the federal government to insure the safety and security of the America's airports and commercial aircraft. 

Specifically, the president listed:

• Placing all phases of airport and aircraft security, including passenger and baggage inspection under the control of the federal government.
  
  
• Pass legislation allowing the FAA to create regulations providing tougher standards for all areas of airport and aircraft security.
  
  
• Provide funds to compensate state governments for use of National Guard personnel to patrol airports.
  
  
• Provide assistance to airports having problems meeting new security standards.
  
  
• Greatly expand the federal Air Marshal program, placing armed, plain clothed federal officers on more flights.
  
  
• Make $500 million in grants available to the airline industry for development and deployment of advanced cockpit security measures including reinforced and lock doors, advanced electronics for monitoring the status of flights in progress and development of technology allowing ground controllers to take control of endangered aircraft, even landing them safely under remote control.

"We must defend against terror by going back to work," stated the president. "We will not surrender our freedom to travel."

NOTE: Prior to 1987, pilots of U.S. commercial aircraft had the option of being armed while in the cockpit. The FAA revoked the privilege in 1987 by placing pilots  and flight crews under the same pre-boarding screening procedures as passengers.