American Morning
Security experts say lessons of 9/11 forgotten
The intelligence failures related to the Christmas Day airline terror plot have triggered a new round of name-calling in Congress. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says Republican "obstructionism" is to blame for a leadership vacuum at the Transportation Security Administration.
Meanwhile, the critical communication breakdown has security experts asking if lessons from the 9/11 attacks have been forgotten. Our Jim Acosta has the report.
TSA implementing new rules of flying
There are new changes in the sky and on the ground since Friday's attempted attack on a Northwest flight. The Transportation Security Administration says these changes are already in place but won't be more specific.
What are they and how do they affect the way you fly? Our Jim Acosta has the report.
Related: More air marshals flying
Are we safe in the skies?
(CNN) - The Department of Homeland Security has significantly increased the number of air marshals on flights since a failed Christmas terrorist attack on a U.S. jetliner, a department official told CNN Sunday.
The official, who asked not to be identified, said the ranks of the marshals have been increased by cutting vacations and leave and by pulling in air marshals from instructional and administrative posts.
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said there is no indication so far that the attack was part of a broad international effort.
So, how did the suspect get through security? And does the government need to do more to keep you safe in the air? Sec. Napolitano joined us on Monday's American Morning.
TSA guidance for passengers following Dec. 25 incident
From TSA.gov
On Dec. 25, 2009, an individual on board Northwest Airlines Flight 253 set off a device and was subdued by passengers and crew. TSA wishes to acknowledge the heroic efforts of those individuals.
As a result of this incident, TSA has worked with airline and law enforcement authorities, as well as federal, state, local, and international partners to put additional security measures in place to ensure aviation security remains strong. Passengers traveling domestically and internationally to U.S. destinations may notice additional screening measures.
The American people should continue their planned holiday travel. TSA encourages passengers to remain observant and aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious behavior or activity to law enforcement officials.
Q: What additional security measures is TSA taking domestically?
A: TSA has a layered approach to security that allows us to surge resources as needed on a daily basis. We have the ability to quickly implement additional screening measures including explosive detection canine teams, law enforcement officers, gate screening, behavior detection and other measures both seen and unseen. Passengers should not expect to see the same thing at every airport.
Q: What additional security measures are being taken for international flights to U.S. destinations?
A: TSA issued a directive for additional security measures to be implemented for last point of departure international flights to the United States. Passengers flying into the United States from abroad can expect to see additional security measures at international airports such as increased gate screening including pat-downs and bag searches. During flight, passengers will be asked to follow flight crew instructions, such as stowing personal items, turning off electronic equipment and remaining seated during certain portions of the flight.
Q: Do passengers need to do anything differently to prepare for checkpoint security procedures? Has anything changed in terms of what passengers can bring in their carry-on or checked bags?
A: At this time, security checkpoint requirements for passengers departing U.S. airports remain the same. Passengers do not need to do anything differently, but they may notice additional security measures at the airport.
Q: Should passengers plan to arrive at airports earlier than normal?
A: Passengers traveling within the United States should give themselves extra time to check in and proceed through the security checkpoint before their flight, especially during the busy holiday travel season. TSA advises that passengers traveling on international flights to U.S. destinations allow extra time for security and arrive an additional hour earlier.
Q. How long will these measures remain in place?
A: TSA will continuously review these measures to ensure the highest levels of security.
Newark runway risks concern feds
By Allan Chernoff
CNN Sr. Correspondent
(CNN) - Federal investigators are concerned a potential danger persists because of the simultaneous use of intersecting runways at Newark Liberty International Airport, one of the nation's busiest and a gateway to the New York metro area.
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/11/09/faa.gi.art.jpg caption="The FAA says it intends to have new technology fully operational at Newark by mid-December."]
The alert comes after repeated instances in which planes above the Newark airport flew too close to each other in violation of safety standards. There were four such instances last year and at least four this year, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation inspector general.
In one case, on January 16, 2008, two Continental planes - a Boeing B-737 and an Embraer 145 - missed each other by 600 feet, according to a DOT inspector general's report.
"That was very scary. I was there for that one personally in the control tower, and it scared the heck out of everybody up there," said Ray Adams, a Newark air traffic controller.
Potential danger arises when approaching planes need to abort their landings, which happens about every 700 flights at Newark, according to a Federal Aviation Administration analysis.
In what the FAA calls "go-arounds," the diverted plane approaching Newark has to make a sharp right turn through the flight path of planes landing and taking off from an intersecting runway, allowing little margin for error.
Police: Drunk pilot arrested pre-flight
LONDON, England (CNN) - British police said they stopped a United Airlines pilot from flying while intoxicated earlier this week, pulling him from a Boeing 767 aircraft at London's Heathrow airport and charging him with being on duty while his blood-alcohol level was over the limit.
Scotland Yard said that Erwin Vermont Washington, 51, was taken off the plane just before take-off Monday. Washington, of Lakewood, Colorado, has since been released on bail.
United spokeswoman Megan McCarthy said that "the pilot has been removed from service" during an investigation.
"United's alcohol policy is among the strictest in the industry, and we have no tolerance for violation of this well-established policy," she said.
Washington remains in the United Kingdom, Scotland Yard said.
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