Washington Post: Military Escorts Now Standard for Troubled Airliners. “We have to approach aviation safety from a multi-layer approach,” said John Cox, executive air safety chairman for the Air Line Pilots Association. “First we have to keep a potential threat off the airplane. Additionally, after the plane leaves the gate we have to be prepared with enhanced crew training, sky marshals, strengthened cockpit doors and similar measures.”
I’ve been on nine flights since Sept. 11, and I have to admit I’ve felt a case of nerves once or twice despite the near-certain reality that flying is safer now than it’s ever been.
Today I’m heading out again, to attend two conferences and give a speech during the next ten days. Seven more flights. I’m not excited about any of it, but I’ve made promises and intend to keep them.