http://www.msnbc.com/news/631075.asp?cp1=1#BODY

VISITING O’HARE International Airport, the heart of America’s aviation system, the president urged Americans to “get on the airlines, get about the business of America.” “We’re marching on,” he said in a speech to airline and airport workers. “We will not surrender our freedom to travel.” The president also proposed greater federal supervision of airport workers, strengthened airliner cockpit doors and many more air marshals aboard flights. But some want even stronger measures — like a complete federal takeover of airport security. Even as Bush encouraged Americans to fly, the Pentagon confirmed that two Air Force generals have been authorized to order the military to shoot down any airliner that appears to be threatening U.S. cities. Bush issued a similar order himself in the hours after hijacked planes attacked the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on Sept. 11. Under new rules, the generals could order strikes only if there was not enough time for the president to weigh in. LATEST DEVELOPMENTS • Suspected hijackers' photos released • Bush seeks National Guardsmen at all airports • Airlines say bailout is too slow • Taliban foes rally around exiled king • Trail of suspicious stock trades widens • Resources: How to help, where to call

PROPOSAL DETAILS Aiming to reassure the public that flying is safe again, the president also outlined new security proposals. They include: Expanding the use of federal air marshals aboard airliners. A few dozen of these armed plainclothes agents already monitor the nation’s skyways. The Federal Aviation Administration has been advertising for air marshals — and more than 100,000 people have downloaded the application off the agency’s Web site. Spending $500 million on aircraft modifications, including fortified cockpit doors, video cameras to monitor the cabin and technology to let control towers take over “distressed” aircraft by remote control. Putting the federal government in charge of security and screening at the nation’s 420 commercial passenger airports, including the purchase and maintenance of all equipment. The government would also perform background checks on security personnel.

“Fully implementing the extensive security proposal may take four to six months,” a White House statement said. “During that time, the president will help ensure that every airport has a strong security presence by asking the governors of the 50 states to call up the National Guard — at the federal government’s expense — to augment existing security staff at every commercial airport nationwide.” Bush had earlier urged Congress to act on the proposals quickly, saying that “one of the keys to economic recovery is going to be the vitality of the airline industry.” But Bush seemed cool to a proposal by the pilots union to arm pilots. “There may be better ways to do it than that, but I’m open for any suggestion,” he told reporters Wednesday. DEBATE IN CONGRESS September 27 — Patricia Friend, president of the Flight Attendants Association, tells NBC’s “Today” show even tighter security is needed.

Bush’s plan would seek a public-private partnership under which security workers would still work for private companies but be supervised by the federal government. Security is now managed by the airlines, a fact critics say has led to poorly paid and trained workers. Bush did not say how the federal oversight and more air marshals would be paid for, but congressional legislation has focused on increasing ticket costs by $1 to several dollars. Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., chairman of the House Transportation panel on aviation, said the White House appeared to be in synch with legislation being crafted that would give the federal government responsibility in such areas as training and certification but would not call for a federal takeover of airport security. “The last thing we need is 27,000 more federal employees at this juncture,” he said. But some Republicans, and most Democrats, are behind a federal takeover and have introduced bills to have passenger screening done by better-paid federal employees rather than the low-wage private sector workers. September 27 — Massachussetts Port Authority CEO Virginia Buckingham tells NBC’s “Today” show she would like to see a federalized security force at Boston’s Logan airport.

“This problem is going to take more than just oversight,” said Rep. Jack Quinn, R-N.Y., sponsor of a House bill. There are roughly 18,000 baggage screeners employed by the airlines. The Bush administration says a total federal takeover of screening could cost up to $1.8 billion. The U.S. Conference of Mayors on Thursday threw its weight behind a takeover. “We want a federal force that is equal or even better than the ones they have in Israel and Germany and France,” said Tom Cochran, the conference’s executive director. He said of the airlines: “We believe they have failed us and we don’t have faith, and we do not believe the American people do either.” -------------------- If the national guard has been mobilized by the federal gov, it's no longer the national guard, it's the US Army. I have mixed feelings, because in the back of my mind I keep thinking of the illegality of the Army performing domestic police duties, per the Posse Comitatus Act of, what, 1878?

This causes additional concern.

-- Sooky (SMA234@YAHOO.COM), September 27, 2001

Answers

And now, a word from the disembodied voice of the travel industry worker...

Pack extra underwear and make sure you have some cash and more credit available on your card than you actually plan to need on your trip.

-- helen spent over a week getting stranded people home (call@me.for.instructions), September 27, 2001.

And you would recommend what Sooky?

-- Carlos (riffraff@cybertime.net), September 28, 2001.