Flight Diversion Spotlights Need for Improved Communications with Flight Crews
On February 18th, a domestic flight travelling from Denver to San Francisco was diverted to Salt Lake City International Airport after a threatening note was discovered on board. The incident again highlighted the need for advising flight crews of significant, real-time security occurrences.
ALPA’s National Security Committee (NSC) presented a briefing paper on this subject, titled Threatened Airspace Management, to the FAA and TSA in May 2006. Since that time, the Association has attempted to convince government and industry of the need for a prioritized system to notify flight crewmembers of significant security-related incidents. Following the Christmas Day, failed terrorist attack on NWA Flight #253, ALPA security representatives met with House Homeland Security Committee staffers to reiterate this need, provoking definite interest and a positive reception to ALPA’s proposals.
The need for government and air carriers to better communicate significant threat information to pilots-in-command, either airborne or preparing for take-off, has been widely recognized by many within government and industry. ALPA will continue its advocacy for a predictable, prioritized advisory system, which will keep our members better informed of security issues that may potentially affect their duties and responsibilities as in-flight security coordinators.
