The Final Word
A Personal View
expressed by Capt. Tom Walsh
“...on an average international flight the cockpit door is
opened frequently, often a dozen times or more. This is
when we are most vulnerable...”
As I write this, two weeks into 2007, the must be opened for delivering meals, pilot cost – a secondary barrier. A secondary
aviation industry in the US and around the lavatory breaks and crew changes. barrier is a physical barrier that can be
globe seems to be in full recovery mode. There’s no way around it. Each time the deployed when the flight deck door needs
Oil prices are at 18-month lows, industry door is opened the flight deck is to be opened. It does not have to be a full
profits have been returning and are accessible. On an average international door, although this would be the best
forecast to be even stronger in the coming flight the door is opened frequently, often solution and is standard on El Al aircraft.
few years. Aviation is expected to grow a dozen times or more. This is when we An effective secondary barrier can be a
dramatically around the world. We seem are most vulnerable. simple design such as straps or cables
to have overcome 9/11, our historic low The recent hijacking of a Turkish Airlines that stretch across the aisles when the
point, and have started the long climb flight when the door was opened to flight deck door must be opened in flight.
back up the hill to even greater heights. A deliver coffee illustrated the ease at The barrier can then be stowed when the
palpable and most welcome feeling of which the flight deck can be penetrated door has been re-secured. The idea is to
optimism is emerging. within seconds. Granted, crews have delay an attacker long enough for the pilot
As an airline employee, I’m very pleased procedures to try to prevent such attacks to immediately re-enter the flight deck
with all the good news. But as an aviation but they are unlikely to stop a determined and close the door. In addition, a
security professional I’m deeply attacker. Some will argue that passenger secondary barrier would also establish
concerned. I believe our newly discovered screening will prevent terrorists from intent. If someone were trying to breach a
optimism, as well as the faith of our boarding our airplanes, yet I doubt that’s secondary barrier, crews would know they
passengers, would be shattered should entirely true. In any case, we must not have a serious problem and can take
another aircraft be brought down. What a forget that statistically most attempted appropriate action.
perfect time for another attack on flight deck intrusions are perpetrated by Secondary barriers are simple and
aviation! Unfortunately I believe our disruptive or mentally unbalanced inexpensive yet address a very serious
vulnerability remains unacceptably high. passengers. How can we effectively weakness. In the US, United Airlines has
While I know of many weaknesses screen for them? It’s not possible. been the leader in the development of
remaining in our aviation security system, Some argue that an attack on the flight secondary barriers. Other airlines are
let me address one specific one that I and deck is unlikely nowadays because investigating. Too many others are
other crewmembers consider our most passengers would intervene and come to choosing to keep their heads buried in the
pressing physical security need. the aid of the crew. But, if a determined sand of optimism, believing it can’t
As an airline Captain I am intimately and capable attacker can be in the happen again. But crews will tell you, it
familiar with the fortress door that cockpit in seconds when the door is open CAN happen again. And burying ones
separates the flight deck from the cabin. and can then close the door, how will the head in the sand only leaves something
What a tremendous improvement from passengers or cabin crew get onto the else more exposed!
the days of flimsy dividers that could be flight deck to help? Now the fortress door
easily breached and sometimes were! But is working in favour of the attacker! The
are flight decks now immune to attack by airplane can be destroyed in short order
terrorists or disruptive passengers? unless the pilots are able to subdue the
Capt. Tom Walsh is a US based
Unfortunately not, because as good as intruder.
aviation security consultant and a
the doors are, they are practically This problem quite simply does not
member of the ASI Advisory Board.
worthless when they are open. The reality need to exist. The solution is simple and
He can be reached by email at
is that this is a common occurrence, something that would dramatically
tom@avsecpro.com
especially on long haul flights. The door improve aviation security at relatively little
40 February 2007 Aviationsecurityinternational
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