U.S. Transportation Secretary Mineta announces rapid response teams on airport, aircraft security

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta has created two Rapid Response Teams to deliver detailed recommendations for improving security within the national aviation system.

Six national leaders in aviation and security protection will participate in this comprehensive review, augmenting the work of senior DOT and FAA experts, and will deliver recommendations to the Secretary no later than October 1, 2001.

One Rapid Response Team will focus on increasing security at the nation’s airports, the other on aircraft security, focusing on cockpit access. The two Rapid Response Teams, which will directly report to Secretary Mineta, will be coordinated by Deputy Transportation Secretary Michael P. Jackson.

“Last week, we successfully restored operations within our national air system,” said Secretary Mineta. “Our efforts must now turn to developing long-term, sustainable security improvements within our airports and the aircrafts themselves as we continue to provide all Americans the highest possible levels of safety.”