I recommend that the United States Air Force be charged with security at all domestic air terminals, for reasons that should be obvious.

If we are at war, then we should start acting like we are at war. Military, rather than civilian personnel should be stationed at critical lynchpins in our infrastructure, especially transportation junctions such as airports.

Flightline security procedures are well-established within the AF and there are many seasoned veterans with years of experience. The organization already exists, and could easily accomodate a rush of new blood. There is the additional advantage of extremely short lines of communication to potential responding authorities in the event of action.

Finally, and most importantly, the Air Force is almost immediately available. How long will it take to organize and train an adequate security force in the private sector? And no matter how quickly it could be raised, the most important question is how effective will it be?

I don't blame the existing airport security services for the catastrophic attacks of 9/11 - there were monumental intelligence failures which allowed the terrorists to put their plans in motion in the first place - but the fact remains that the terroist kamikaze pilots were able to pass through existing airport security that fateful daynwith no trouble, and realize their murderous plan.

The example of Israel is not really relevant to the situation of the United States. Israel is a dinky little country smaller than most of our states.

Anyway you look at it, this is no time to jack around - this is a job for the sky cops.

sp