U.S. Aviation Security gets an F Grade
from Pilots Group

An Aviation Security Report Card released by the Coalition of Airline Pilots gave a failing "F" grade in five areas. The group of 22,000 pilots from American Airlines, United Parcel Services, Southwest Airlines and AirTrans Airways gave the failing grade in the areas of screening of employees, screening of cargo, high-tech credentialing of crew members, self-defense training for crew and the plan for countering shoulder-fired missiles.

Jon Safley, president of CAPA said filling the "gaping holes" in aviation security would require major changes in the way the airlines and airports do business, and in the way the government manages airlines security. Safley feels that "Neither the airlines, the airports nor government officials have given these issues the priority they deserve."

The group gave good grades to the government on improved bag screening and on the reinforcement of cockpit doors on commercial airplanes.