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Kerry Pledges to AFA to Improve Aviation Security
Responding to concerns of AFA-CWA President Pat Friend about major shortcomings in aviation security, Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry joined in her criticism of the Bush administration's failure to protect airline workers and passengers and pledged that he will make it a priority if elected.
"With terrorist organizations continuing to target aviation in the United States, we must do a better job of strengthening every layer of our aviation security," Kerry wrote in a letter to Friend. "The Bush administration's willingness to cut corners is inexcusable."
Kerry said all flight attendants should "have access to a proper level of security training and I will mandate a basic, standardized security program" for them, in addition to funding the federal air marshal program "at a level necessary to ensure full force deployment for the workforce and protection for the nation's air travelers."
After the September 11 attacks, Kerry worked to develop the Aviation and Transportation Security Act. But three years later, he said the Bush administration has still failed to make training flight attendants a priority and has badly mismanaged and under-funded the air marshal program.
And now the administration is considering further cuts. "Under the president's plan, there will be 20 percent fewer air marshals than the administration and Congress agreed was needed just two years ago," he said.
Friend circulated the letter to all AFA members, saying she appreciated Kerry's thoughtful response after long trying to get the Bush administration to listen.
"I have repeatedly voiced my frustration with the current White House and their failure to provide meaningful security training and to properly fund and expand the air marshal program. The position of President Bush, through his record of inaction and neglect on these two issues in particular, is clear, said Friend."
"With terrorist organizations continuing to target aviation in the United States, we must do a better job of strengthening every layer of our aviation security," Kerry wrote in a letter to Friend. "The Bush administration's willingness to cut corners is inexcusable."
Kerry said all flight attendants should "have access to a proper level of security training and I will mandate a basic, standardized security program" for them, in addition to funding the federal air marshal program "at a level necessary to ensure full force deployment for the workforce and protection for the nation's air travelers."
After the September 11 attacks, Kerry worked to develop the Aviation and Transportation Security Act. But three years later, he said the Bush administration has still failed to make training flight attendants a priority and has badly mismanaged and under-funded the air marshal program.
And now the administration is considering further cuts. "Under the president's plan, there will be 20 percent fewer air marshals than the administration and Congress agreed was needed just two years ago," he said.
Friend circulated the letter to all AFA members, saying she appreciated Kerry's thoughtful response after long trying to get the Bush administration to listen.
"I have repeatedly voiced my frustration with the current White House and their failure to provide meaningful security training and to properly fund and expand the air marshal program. The position of President Bush, through his record of inaction and neglect on these two issues in particular, is clear, said Friend."