Press release reads:
BRITAIN’S PILOTS ‘FRUSTRATED’ AND CALL FOR SECURITY SUMMIT
- and call for an end of ‘bizarre’ ban on toothpaste, contact lens fluid and other liquids in pilot cockpits
Britain’s pilots, increasingly frustrated by the way in which security measures are being handled in the UK’s airports and in the air after receiving assurances that it would be generally ‘business as usual’ for them, are calling on the Government to call an urgent Security Summit conference at which all those involved at operational level can have a ‘frank and free exchange of views about recent experiences and better prepare us for the future.’
The pilots are also calling for an end to the blanket measures which broadly subject them to the same restrictions as passengers. Even when travelling away from home for days at a time, they cannot take into their cockpits toothpaste, contact lens solution and other liquids and gells, a measure they say which makes ‘no sense at all.’
Says Captain Mervyn Granshaw, Chairman of the British Airline Pilots’ Association (BALPA), which organises 9,000 of the nation’s airline pilots: ‘Since the extra security measures have been introduced we have seen some good practice and some very poor practice. Some airports have coped and some, like Heathrow, have struggled. Whilst the disruption for passengers has understandably caught media attention, there have been endless practical and frustrating problems for flight crew who have to operate the aircraft.
‘We need a Security Summit of representatives of airport operators (such as BAA), the airlines, TranSec (the Department of Transport’s security team), pilots, cabin crew, and ground staff. We need to re-examine all security initiatives and ask if they are advancing the safety of the public, or have become an unnecessary and unintended burden in several critical areas. If we don’t learn from the lessons of the past two weeks we shall be in trouble and aviation could grind to a halt for all the wrong reasons.’
One measure which has caused a lot of concern among pilots is the restriction as to what they can carry into their cockpits. ‘ We have put a lot of our trust into government intelligence sources and have abided by the recommendations, but equally government should trust us,’ says Captain Granshaw.
‘ This is not about special pleading but pilots are already responsible for the lives of hundreds of passengers. The Government needs to revisit its risk assessment and see that there is no logic at all in denying pilots the ability to take on board what they need to operate their flight safely – and often for days at a time away from home.’
‘Do officials really believe that we need to be prevented from using liquids, given that we freely load and carry many thousands of litres of volatile aviation kerosene every day? The measure is illogical and frankly bizarre.’
BALPA is concerned that the past two weeks has seen a lack of inter-agency co-operation.
‘We believe a Security Summit to be imperative,’ says Captain Granshaw. ‘By learning the lessons we can have better integration of services and improve the operational impact of government decisions. BALPA stands ready to help convene and to participate in this Security Summit.’
Last edited by Boeingman; 18th Aug 2006 at 17:13.