Adding protection

Friday, Aug. 15, 2008 | 2:06 a.m.

The Transportation Security Administration is moving to tighten security on private airplanes, which were largely unaffected by the security rules that came after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

USA Today reported Monday that the TSA is preparing regulations that would affect thousands of airplanes and the nation’s 4,700 small airports. The agency’s move comes after Homeland Security chief Michael Chertoff raised concerns about private jets being used by terrorists.

The TSA wants to prevent terrorists from using planes as weapons or using them to transport hazardous materials, and that is particularly important because many of those airports are close to — or in — major cities. For example, the airports with the most private plane takeoffs and landings last year were in Phoenix and Los Angeles.

USA Today reported that the TSA rules are expected to target larger private jets and will likely include background checks for flight crews, inspections of planes and parking planes in more secure areas. As it is now, there is little to prevent someone from stealing a jet at a smaller airport, said Glen Winn, a former security chief for United Airlines.

“There’s a huge window that’s open” in aviation security, Winn said, “and I do believe they’ve got to close that.”

The private plane industry is concerned about the security requirements becoming overly burdensome and delaying flights. Industry officials note that private airplanes have become an alternative to commercial air travel. They also note that many private operators have security procedures in place.

The TSA acknowledges that and says it is working with the industry to find regulations that will be effective without being too much of a burden. That is certainly important, but the bigger issue is keeping Americans safe from terrorists. We hope the TSA and the aviation industry can craft sensible rules that keep jets of any kind out of terrorist hands.