Aviation Law News
Advice from the FAA on New Security Practices
After the terrorist attacks on September 11, airline security
has been tightened in an effort to increase safety. The following
information and advice should help prepare passengers for
what to expect under the new procedures and how to minimize
hassles for all involved:
- Arrive early. Heightened security means that screenings
may take longer than normal.
- Take public transportation if possible. Curbside pick-up
and drop-off will be closely monitored. Parking lots will
also be under stricter supervision.
- Call ahead to find out about curbside check-in. Some airlines
are still allowing curbside check-in, but others are not.
The service may vary from airport to airport.
- Bring valid identification, and be prepared to show it
at both the security checkpoint and the gate.
- Pack all knives, cutting instruments, and sports equipment,
such as baseball bats, golf clubs, etc. in your checked
luggage. These items may not be carried onto the plane.
- If you plan to bring a cane or umbrella, be aware that
it will be searched to make sure that nothing is hidden
within it. Also, those who need to bring a syringe aboard
the plane for medical purposes must bring an accompanying
written medical statement that verifies the condition.
- Only ticketed passengers will be allowed beyond the security
checkpoint. The only exceptions will be for medical reasons
or for parents of young children.
- Be aware that additional security searches and screenings
may take place at the gate, even after passing through the
security checkpoint.
The new measures are meant to increase the safety of all
passengers and airline personnel. Being informed and prepared
will help decrease confusion and increase security.
http://www.faa.gov/apa/webtips.htm
The Senate's Aviation Security Bill
On Thursday, October 11, the Senate passed a new aviation
security bill in a 100-0 vote that will turn the industry's
security over to the federal government. The bill is something
President Bush has urged Congress to pass since the September
11 attacks. Still, despite the Senate's unanimity, its version
of the bill is likely to come under heavy scrutiny in the
House, mainly because of a provision that attempts to assert
greater control over the security process by making all security
screeners federal employees. Most Republicans in the House
reject this measure, claiming that it will create another
federal bureaucracy. Instead, they favor keeping screeners
as private employees, but increasing federal supervision and
involvement in the process. President Bush has indicated that
although he prefers the latter, he is willing to consider
the Senate's version of the bill.
http://www.cnn.com/2001/US/10/11/
rec.air.security.senate/index.html
Plane Crash in Milan Kills Over One Hundred People
Due most likely to fog and human error, a Scandinavian Airways
System aircraft crashed, first into a small private German
Cessna plane and then into a baggage-handling hangar. The
one hundred ten passengers on the SAS flight and the four
people on the German plane were all killed. It was not immediately
known how many people were inside the baggage area at the
time. Many of the dead were Italian citizens, and SAS is doing
as much as it can to help the Italian government deal with
the tragedy.
http://www.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/europe/10/08/
italy.plane/index.html
Concorde Crash Victims Blame Continental and Goodyear
A year after the Air France Concorde crash, which killed
all of its passengers and several people on the ground, five
families have filed a lawsuit against both Continental Airlines
and The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. They assert that
the crash was caused when a piece of metal fell off of a Continental
plane in line before the Concorde on the runway. The metal
then came into contact with the Concorde's Goodyear tire,
which was destroyed, causing the plane to crash.
Goodyear claims that its tires were in good condition before
coming into contact with the metal. They say that their company
bears no responsibility for the misfortune.
Continental similarly argues that its plane was not at fault.
The airline asserts that whatever caused the crash did not
come from a Continental airplane. While expressing sympathy
for the victims, Continental also strongly denounced the families'
accusation.
http://www.cnn.com/2001/LAW/07/25/concorde.lawsuit/
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