Release #10.20
June 25, 2010

Pilots Hail Confirmation of Pistole to Head TSA

WASHINGTON – Capt. John Prater, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), released the following statement upon the announcement of the U.S. Senate’s confirmation of John S. Pistole as assistant secretary, Department of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration).

“The U.S. airline industry cannot rest in pursuing ever greater security for airline passengers, crews, and cargo. The confirmation of John Pistole to lead the Transportation Security Administration is a promising and long-awaited action in creating a full leadership team at the Administration.

Mr. Pistole’s solid qualifications and extensive background will position him for success in leading the TSA and our country toward what must become a trust-based aviation security system. Such a system would allow well-vetted passengers to move quickly through airport security while focusing greater resources on those about whom less is known or whose motivations are unknown or in doubt.

The pilots of ALPA look forward to continuing our excellent partnership with the TSA to ensure that our passengers, crews, and cargo benefit from an extraordinary level of security in our nation’s air transportation system.”

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s largest pilot union, representing nearly 53,000 pilots at 38 airlines in the United States and Canada. Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org.

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CONTACT: Linda Shotwell, 703/481-4440 or media@alpa.org