US to streamline security checks for pilots

US transport officials introduced streamlined airport security checks for pilots.

US transport officials introduced streamlined airport security checks for pilots but exempted them from intrusive pat-downs amid mounting criticism of new search procedures for passengers.

8220;Allowing these uniformed pilots,whose identity has been verified,to go through expedited screening at the checkpoint just makes for smart security and an efficient use of our resources,8221; John Pistole,head of the Transport Security Administration TSA,said yesterday.

Under the new procedures,pilots for US carriers travelling in uniform on airline business would enter a secure area after presenting their identity papers to TSA officers,who would then check their credentials against a secure database.

The pilots have argued they have to fly US airlines and already have proper identification to perform their jobs.

Flight crew members may use the programme as well,but would be subject to random screening and other layers of security,the TSA said in a statement.

The new measures come as rights groups and some congressmen have objected to new so-called 8220;naked8221; scanners installed in 65 US airports that take full-body X-ray images including passengers8217; genitals.

The TSA has offered to manually pat-down passengers who refuse to be screened by the devices,but this has also led to a rash of complaints that the procedure is too invasive.

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The tightened security measures were introduced after a series of bomb scares against planes heading to the United States from abroad.

The TSA has defended the scanners as necessary to protect fliers following a foiled Christmas Day plot to down a US jet by a man who concealed explosives in his underwear.

And a poll out Tuesday showed that eight in 10 Americans support the new full-body scanners.

Pilots,who had opposed the scanners for fear of the potential health hazards from being forced repeatedly to pass through them,welcomed the new procedures.

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8220;An enhanced screening process for airline pilots will provide a higher level of security while moving them efficiently through checkpoints,8221; said Captain John Prater,president of the Air Line Pilots Association ALPA,a union representing over 50,000 pilots at US and Canadian airlines.

8220;Airline pilots will be treated in a manner that reflects their trustworthiness and responsibility as professionals.8221;

The procedures were also endorsed by retired Captain Chesley 8220;Sully8221; Sullenberger,a former US Airways pilot who rose to fame after safely landing an Airbus A320 in the Hudson,River off Manhattan.