Widow of Doomed 9/11 Pilot Calls For More Cockpit Barriers on Airliners
By Brad Segall
YARDLEY, Pa. (CBS) -- A local lawmaker and the widow of a pilot who lost his life in the 9/11 terrorist attacks are behind an effort which they say will better protect the cockpits of airplanes.
US Rep. Michael Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) was joined by Ellen Saracini today at the Garden of Reflection in Bucks County to talk about legislation that would require airlines to install a secondary barrier to protect the flight crew.
Saracini (at lectern in photo) says the reinforced cockpit doors which were put in after the airplane attacks were a good first step, but this would add another layer of protection.
"We know what happened on September 11th," she said. "We don't have to wonder what could happen, we just have to make sure that threat that is real is never repeated again."
Fitzpatrick and Saracini say they expect the airlines to put up a fight, especially over the cost, which they say would amount to under ten thousand dollars per plane. Saracini says compare that to the million dollars it cost to install a flight entertainment system.
Many planes are now designed with the secondary barrier, but they say United has had some removed.
