The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has reiterated its existing rule that two crew members must be present in the cockpit of a flying civil aircraft at any given time. CAAC has stated that local civil aviation authorities must strictly supervise the implementation of this requirement.
The Homeland Security Asia/Pacific has welcomed the decision to ensure two crew members are on the flight deck at all times during flights by Australian commercial aircraft
Roger Henning described the moves as “a great start, in addressing major holes in airline security”. He also points out that more training will be needed before the new requirement can become effective. “The most urgent need is for senior flight attendants to know more than their evacuation drills, including how to over-ride cockpit lockout systems. (We do have further comment in respect to other locking solutions). In addition all Flight and Cabin crew members should undergo public safety and security awareness training, as per our recommendations for all airport staff.”
Additionally, HSAP recommends that pilots should undergo similar scrutiny to the reviews and vetting procedures applied to anyone cleared to Top Security (TS) classification, by the Australian Government. “In addition to normal medical examinations, commercial pilots should be required every two years, to supply three different referees, each time they are reviewed. Referees to be checked by telephone interviews undertaken by trained Aviation authorities. Legislation is needed to ensure GP’s be legally required to report anything which could impact on the safety of passengers, (in the same way communicable diseases must be reported). This may include stress, depression, alcohol and substance abuse, or change in mental status (due to divorce, financial pressure or other family matters).”
It also states that pilots should be advised prior to departure of their flight of the details of anyone who has been removed by authorities from the terminal and prevented from boarding. This would help enable a higher status of security and safety awareness, to be disseminated to the Flight and Cabin crew for that particular flight. Such action may help prevent an inflight incident involving others who have bypassed the security, which captured family members or associates.