Reps. Jesús “Chuy” García and Brian Fitzpatrick Introduce Bipartisan Cargo Flight Deck Security Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Jesús "Chuy" García (IL-04) and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) introduced the Cargo Flight Deck Security Act. This bipartisan bill will ensure that flight decks on cargo planes are as secure as those in all other aircraft. Currently, pilots on cargo flights often carry passengers that may be employees of the company or handlers accompanying animals. While these passengers undergo additional security vetting, the flight deck should remain protected from intrusion.

"Safety must remain our top priority in the aviation industry. The same precautions put in place to prevent cockpit intrusions after the tragedies of September 11th, 2001, should apply to all planes. Security background checks and screening, however stringent, cannot substitute the need for physical cockpit doors. I am proud to advance this bipartisan, safety-first bill to keep our skies the safest in the world," said Rep. García.

"Ensuring the safety of our nation's aircraft is paramount to protecting the American public. The Cargo Flight Deck Security Act will go a long way to protecting our flight crews," said Rep. Fitzpatrick. "This bipartisan and commonsense legislation will build upon existing laws to make our planes safer for everyone. I thank Congressman García for his partnership on this legislation, and I look forward to working with him to see it become law."

"For far too long, there has been a dangerous double standard when it comes to common safety and security provisions for cargo pilots. Thanks to Reps. García and Fitzpatrick's leadership, this bill will help advance commercial aviation by protecting not only pilots and their cargo, but also citizens in communities on the ground and our aviation network," said Capt. Joe DePete, ALPA president.

Many cargo planes have no cockpit barrier; the aircraft's interior is open, and the flight deck is completely exposed. There is no mandate that the flight deck of a cargo aircraft be separated or secure from the cargo and passenger area. This is a matter of aircraft security, and cargo pilots have been fighting for hardened cockpit doors for 18 years, and this bill will solve that long overdue security concern.

The following members are original cosponsors of the Cargo Flight Deck Security Act: Jan Schakowsky (Il-09), Stephen Lynch (MA-08 ), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Michael F. Q. San Nicolas (GU) and André Carson (IN-07).

The bill has also been endorsed by the following organizations: Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), Allied Pilots Association (APA), Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA), Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), and AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department (TTD).

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