What's In Store For America's Flying Future?
Shanna McCord
12-06-01

The tragedy of Sept. 11 drove an arrow straight into the heart of America's flying industry. Even now, three months later, airline profits continue plummeting in record amounts as many passengers have yet to conquer the fear that their flight may be the next target of terrorist attacks.

Instead of flying, travelers are taking buses, trains, driving their own cars or staying home if possible. The attitude of Sean Lamb, a college student in the Bay Area, who avoided going home to Philadelphia for Thanksgiving because of his apprehension of flying again, is representative. "I'm a little freaked out," said Lamb. "No way, I am not getting back on a plane for a while."

Businesses are also looking for travel alternatives and that means the entire aviation industry is suffering an economical decline, a hemorrhaging of profits with no end in sight. The Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport has seen a drop in daily departures from 230 to 190 and some airlines are losing up to $4 million a day in operational revenues.

Jennifer Dawes, human resources manager for America West Airlines said, "We don't know if we're going to make it, the numbers are that bad."

The major obstacle standing in the way of rebuilding the industry's profitability is closing the security gap that allowed four commercial jets to be hijacked and turned into suicide missions killing thousands of innocent people in New York and Washington, DC. Across the board people agree that restoring faith in flying is imperative for the health of the airline industry and the nation, yet opinions vary on how that should be accomplished.

"It's obvious big changes are needed everywhere," said Dawes.

Since the attacks of Sept. 11, airports across the country, including San Jose's, have begun revamping safety measures in hopes of bringing back passengers and profits.

The first change at this airport can be seen before pulling into the short-term parking lot. Every driver is stopped in order for newly hired security workers to look inside trunks and other spots where bombs might be hidden.

This inspection is the result of a new directive issued by the Federal Aviation Administration that parking spaces at all airports be located a minimum of 300 feet from passenger terminals. Because this would have eliminated short-term parking at San Jose's airport, airport authorities and the FAA compromised by implementing 24-hour parking lot inspections.

Steve Luckenbach, the airport's media relation manager, said, " We have 3,000 short term spaces. Had we not worked a deal with the FAA, we would not have been able to provide that parking."

Also coming within days following the attacks has been the deployment of National Guard troops to all 400 major airports across the country. Seventy men and women in military uniform roam the terminals of San Jose's airport. Carrying M-16 rifles and 9-millimeter handguns, the troops patrol public areas, keeping an eye out for any possible security threat that may need their intervention.

In addition to the National Guard troops, more police officers have been assigned to the San Jose Airport. Mark Conrad, an investigator with 25 years experience on the force, is among the 20 extra officers working alongside military personnel in the terminals. "I think we were too lax in the airports before," said Conrad. "Finally, we're more regimented."

Luckenbach said, so far passengers seem to welcome the added security.

One woman on her way to visit her mother in Bend, Oregon complained only about the long lines. "It was never like this before and now it takes way too much time," said Lisa Jones. "But I guess we need it this way."

In addition to these changes, Congress has succeeded in expanding the federal government's role in airport safety. Under the Transportation Security Act, signed by President Bush on Nov. 19, the Department of Transportation is taking over passenger and baggage screenings, a task currently handled by private companies hired by the airlines.

This new law comes largely in response to criticism that the 28,000 men and women nationwide working X-ray machines and metal detectors aren't properly hired, trained or paid. Industry insiders have documented security breaches slipping through the system that have been caused by the poor performances of screeners.

Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta, at a speech on homeland security and defense Nov. 27 said, "The act directs the U.S. Department of Transportation to build and staff a new law enforcement agency starting essentially from scratch - an agency larger than the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Border Patrol combined - and to get it done in the next 365 days."

Mineta said the increased role for the government drives home the high level of priority the country is placing on restoring prosperity to its airline industry. "We have entered a new era in transportation," said Mineta. "An era in which a determined and remorseless enemy has challenged one of America's most cherished freedoms - namely, the freedom of mobility."

The new law brings stricter guidelines in who gets hired; it also promises higher salaries and better benefits for a sector of the industry notorious for barely receiving minimum wage. But not everyone sees the value.

Independent contractor, Globe Security, which employs luggage screeners at San Jose's airport, does not support making security workers federal employees. Globe Security Vice-President, Jim McNulty said private business could handle the work cheaper and more efficiently than the bureaucracy of the government. "We're disappointed," said McNulty. "We don't think federalizing the workforce will make it better."

If it's a matter of money, the company said that could be handled by the private sector. According to McNulty, hourly pay was raised to $10-$12 from $6-$7 after Sept. 11.

Other critics of the Transportation Security Act are concerned that many people will lose their jobs because of the government's U.S. citizenship requirement. Opponents said that could create an added financial burden that comes with hiring and training new employees and in this case taxpayers would be picking up the tab.

Gerardo Sandoval, San Francisco Board of Supervisor for District 11, has spent a lot of time reviewing the various issues tied to the new law. He said 80 percent of San Francisco International Airport's 1,200 baggage screeners would be forced out because they are not U.S. citizens. Sandoval said, if we lose that many security workers, the lines and wait times will grow longer, making it necessary for travelers to arrive three hours before their flights.

"The new law is grossly unfair," said Sandoval.

The supervisor said the law has it merits and shouldn't be struck down in its entirety; rather he suggests amending it so that citizenship is not a factor. Sandoval favors adding a clause that would grandfather-in current workers and protect thousands of hard working people from unemployment.

The airline industry may be deeply scarred, but by working to restore the confidence and the safety in our air transportation system, we can then ensure economic vitality for America's future and that of her neighbors. That's something passengers, airline workers and government leaders want to see as soon as possible.

Recovering from the wounds inflicted on Sept. 11 will be a slow and painful process and at this time travelers are beginning to pay the price in added time and inconvenience.