Speeches by Secretary Elaine L. Chao

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Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao
New Aviation Guidelines
September 28, 2001

Good evening, everyone. It’s great to be home in Louisville!

I’d like to thank the pilots, flight crew and air traffic controllers who made my flight – and will make the thousands of other flights today and into the future – so safe and comfortable.

Tonight, I flew on Southwest from BWI to Louisville. Southwest, like every other airline, is committed to delivering the highest quality of service and safety to their customers.

The strength of America’s economy rests on a vibrant and healthy airline industry. The workers in this airport are partners in moving American people and products to every corner of the world. From a salesman brokering a new deal to a grandmother visiting her grandchildren, the airlines move America.

I know some are fearful to fly. The attacks have made it difficult for all of us to look at air travel in the same way that we used to.

But we all can do our part in getting America back to work, and defeating terrorism. Each person that steps onto a plane is sending a message to the world that we will not live in fear. We, the people, are the frontlines to a free and prosperous nation.

President Bush has asked that I be here today to encourage all Americans to get back to work, to visit family, to resume our way of life. Air travel is safer than ever before, and President George W. Bush is implementing new safety measures to make sure September 11^th doesn’t happen again.

Airlines and airports are changing for the better. Working with Democrats and Republicans, the President secured $3 billion in federal funds to put some extra precautions in place.

You will see tighter airport security. The federal government will make sure that the people who handle and check our bags are screened and trained. Standards will be tough, more consistent – in every airport across the nation.

You won’t see them, but air marshals will accompany passengers. There was a plain-clothes Air Marshal on the plane with us today. We didn’t know where the marshal sat, or what he or she looked like, but we knew that if anything happened the marshal would be there to protect us.

The President is also providing federal funds to increase cockpit safety with stronger doors and locks so every pilot can do their job safely. And National Guard units from every state will provide airports with a visible, reliable protection force.

With these new measures in place, airports and air travel will be a little different … but safer and more secure than ever before. Everyone – from pilots to baggage and service crew -- from flight attendants to ticket agents – as well as the law enforcement agencies – everyone is working together for one common goal: to keep airline passengers safe.

I want to thank the airlines and their employees for their commitment to their jobs, their country, and their fellow Americans.

As President George W. Bush said: Let’s board the planes and get back to the business of America!

Thank you.

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