Nine/Eleven: Could the Federal Aviation Administration Alone Have Deterred the Terrorist Skyjackers?

No one else could have written this book because David H. Brown and Dr. John T. Dailey are the only two remaining members of the FAA Task Force that developed a viable airport security procedure in 1970. Based on personal recall, and FAA Manual AM-78-35 that documented the work of that group, this book takes you behind the scenes from the very beginning of efforts to curb aircraft hijacking, to how a proven program fell victim to bureaucracy. The book takes you through how the system was developed and tested, and why it was validated. It also reveals how the Task Force was able to overcome both airline opposition and agency recalcitrance. The team did not have precedents to work with, but blazed its own successful train. You will discover how the Task Force anticipated almost every aspect of airport security, and actually warned of future terrorist attacks using U.S. aircraft. You will read how the early program of "sky marshals" almost fell apart in a bizarre press conference, and why the Task Force did not support the use of armed guards on aircraft. This is a story you cannot find anywhere else. It may not be many pages, but the message is there.