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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, September 28, 2001

Editorial
Air safety proposals are only a first step

"Get on the airlines!" President Bush urged us yesterday. "Get about the business of America!"

Welcome words, perhaps, but it's clear that cheerleading isn't enough to get the frightened flying public airborne again. That's vital as airlines cancel dozens of flights and lay off thousands of workers, and as a drop-off in visitor arrivals hammers economies in Hawai'i and elsewhere.

Speaking at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, Bush outlined long-term security proposals developed in response to the Sept. 11 terrorist hijackings. The measures include expanding the federal air marshal program and putting baggage screening under federal supervision. He's seeking money to finance stronger cockpit doors and other aircraft modifications, such as video systems to allow the crew to monitor the passenger cabin and transponders that can't be shut off from the cockpit.

Coming on the same day that Bush refined the rules of authorization for Air Force pilots to blast commandeered passenger planes out of the sky, however, these measures aren't enough to draw throngs to airports.

Among critics of Bush's plan is the U.S. Conference of Mayors, which wants federalization of airport security workers. Its executive director said of airlines: "We believe they have failed us, and we don't have faith, and we do not believe the American people do, either."

Indeed, faith is the key. Millions of Americans have boarded airplanes for decades with the greatest confidence, for good reason. Flying has been amazingly safe.

But authorities have given us reason to fear that more terrorists may still be lurking across our nation, hatching plots that may or may not include aircraft. Air travelers aren't dumb; they won't fly just to demonstrate patriotism.

Restoring realistic faith in air travel is crucial to our economy, and it's evident that Bush's proposals don't go far enough. But as a modest first step, they're worth instituting quickly.