Critical Flaw from 9/11 Corrected: Secondary Cockpit Barriers Now Required

After nearly 23 years since the tragic events of 9/11, a critical flaw that allowed terrorists to storm the cockpits of four jetliners and turn them into weapons of mass murder is finally being addressed. President Joe Biden recently signed into law provisions requiring secondary cockpit barriers on all commercial airplanes, the last of the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations to be implemented.

The lightweight, lockable metal gates, which have been opposed by the airline industry due to their added cost, will barricade cockpit doors to protect pilots when they open them during flights. Ellen Saracini, the widow of Capt. Victor Saracini, a pilot on United Flight 175, fought for over a decade to convince lawmakers to mandate these barriers. Her efforts have finally paid off with this new legislation.

While the changes won’t happen overnight, it is estimated that it may take three to five years for the airlines to retrofit approximately 8,000 airplanes with the new barriers due to the slow federal bureaucracy. The provisions were part of a larger civil aviation bill aimed at improving air travel, which was approved by both the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.

Representative Josh Gottheimer, who helped add the provision requiring secondary cockpit barriers, stated that this amendment is a critical step to prevent another 9/11 from occurring. The tragic events of 9/11, where four planes were hijacked by terrorists, led to the deaths of many innocent individuals.

Overall, the implementation of secondary cockpit barriers is seen as an important measure in preventing hijacks and improving airline safety. However, some lawmakers believe that more stringent regulations are needed to ensure the safety and security of air travel. The new legislation marks a significant step forward in enhancing aviation security and preventing future tragedies.