Al-Qaida may be turning sights on charter aircraft

[Snowden]

Report sees holes in U.S. aviation security
Al-Qaida may be turning sights on charter aircraft

The Associated Press
Updated: 2:39 a.m. ET March 14, 2005

WASHINGTON - The nation’s aviation system remains vulnerable to attacks by al-Qaida and other terrorists who may be targeting noncommercial aircraft and helicopters, according to a government report.

But officials said the report by the Homeland Security Department and the FBI concludes that commercial airlines also remain susceptible to attack, despite billions of dollars worth of security investments. Moreover, members of al-Qaida are believed to be examining and testing U.S. security systems for weaknesses, officials said.

Terrorists shifting focus?
The confidential report, dated Feb. 25, reflects what officials have long said: that beefing up security in one sector would inevitably prompt terrorists to target other areas that might not be under the same level of scrutiny.

However, the report, drafts of which have been circulating since late last year, is the first to pull the intelligence together in a single package, officials said.

It was distributed to state, local and private sector officials who deal with counterterrorism concerns, said Homeland Security spokesman Brian Roehrkasse.

“We have made dramatic improvements to security in all components of the aviation industry over the course of the past three years,” Roehrkasse said.

The report was first reported Sunday evening by The New York Times on its Internet site.

Billions spent on commercial airline security
A counterterrorism official said helicopters were singled out as potential targets in intelligence that surfaced last August. That intelligence also led Homeland Security to raise the terror alert level in Washington, New York and northern New Jersey to protect financial institutions there.

More than $12 billion has been spent on explosive detectors, armored cockpit doors, screeners, air marshals and other aviation security systems since the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. President Bush has proposed giving the Transportation Security Administration $5.6 billion in 2006 — $2 billion of which for airline passenger screening and $1.45 billion for airline baggage screening.

But a report by congressional investigators in December found that TSA “has primarily focused on strengthening the security of commercial aviation.” That report noted that TSA doesn’t understand the risks posed by small private planes, fails to issue meaningful threat information to general aviation airports and can’t make sure charter airlines and flight schools comply with security regulations.

Officials said that the thousands of general aviation airports — which host recreational planes, business jets, helicopters and other kinds of noncommercial aircraft — must all have security measures that are equivalent to TSA mandates at commercial airports.


© 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7177441/

[lady seahawk]

As a former employee of a "charter" airline, I would hope that most people would realize this article deals with SMALL, PRIVATE aircraft that could be hijacked or stolen and used for terrorist purposes. The company I worked for had both large DC 10-30's and Lears for hire. Most of our large aircraft was used to ferry troops from the States to Europe and most points in the Middle East.

Larger charters which include groups for vacation packages, special events like bowl games, spring break groups, etc., all have to go through normal security procedures at airports. It's the smaller aircraft we need to concentrate on. By smaller, I mean corporate jets, single or dual prop planes, helicopters and even med-evac aircraft. Users of these aircraft go through practically NO screening, if at all. They simply go out to the hanger, board the plane, go through the normal pre-flight procedures and proceed to take off. Scary.

We all realize that screening everyone would be prohibitive money-wise but what is our security worth? Any person with the financial prowess to charter an aircraft (which can vary greatly) could easily overpower the pilot(s) and use the aircraft in any way they wished. Let's hope these charter agencies exercise due diligence in screening their customers.

[odannyboy]

Well said lady seahawk.

It is the abundance (and apparent ease of use) of shoulder fired missles that concerns me most in regards to Al Quada and the commercial airline industry. A successful strike would have a crippling impact on many of these carriers, some teetering on the edge of bankrutpcy as I type.

[Snowden]

Originally Posted by odannyboy

Well said lady seahawk.

It is the abundance (and apparent ease of use) of shoulder fired missles that concerns me most in regards to Al Quada and the commercial airline industry. A successful strike would have a crippling impact on many of these carriers, some teetering on the edge of bankrutpcy as I type.

Aren't they doing that in Iraq, Danny? The terrorists, I mean. Helicopters would be especially vulnerable, I'd think.