John Hostettler: “The amendment ensures that the program proposed by this act will be carried out expeditiously by requiring that at least…”

“The amendment ensures that the program proposed by this act will be carried out expeditiously by requiring that at least 20 percent of the pilots who volunteer during the first month be trained and deputized not more than 6 months after the program is enacted. Also this amendment provides that at the end of 2 years, at least 80 percent of all those pilots who volunteered during those years will be trained and acting as Federal flight deck officers. With our Nation's present safety concerns, time is of the essence to get this program up and running. Those who would cause harm to our citizens need to know that there are pilots who are trained and ready to defend their passengers against harm. The Transportation Security Administration recognizes the deterrent and life-saving effect armed personnel can have in a terrorist incident at an airport.”