Why is everyone so suprised with the obvious?
The FAA can not get blood out of a rock and can't get airlines that are bankrupt to make improvements in anything. Oh, and there are 600,000+ GA pilots and 41,000 aircraft in the US too.
The FAA can only do what they are allowed to do with the resources they are given and the support and direction of COngress and the higher ups in the executive branch.
By the way, Cannavan is out as of yesterday and FAA is being told what to do on security by people far far higher in the food chain who really don't know much about aviation. As of right now ther are no traffic watch helos in Class B airspace, no flights under part 91 by foreign flag aircraft without very special permission, and lots of other limitations. Thiss is causing significant economic problems and domino effects through the economy. Nobody knows how much it will cost in dollars or jobs.
I hope this satisfies people who have, with many very good reasons, pointed out aviation security "weaknesses" ("weakness" is being kind) because they are right. I know this is cold comfort though.
Security must be improved and unfortunately it historicly has taken midair collisions over the Grand Canyon and Staten Island to get the U.S. Gongress off top dead center to do what is necessary for aviation safety.
What you will get is more security, someone will have to pay, that someone will be passengers, shippers and other users. This will make aviation a less competative mode of transportation and there will be less aviation business.
The truism that the best way to make a million dollars in aviation is to start out with 2 million still applies.
[ 11 October 2001: Message edited by: RATBOY ]