Counting Profits Instead of Bodies

Once again we were awakened by news of another devastating airplane crash in New York (“265 Die in N.Y. Jet Crash; Mechanical Fault Probed,” Nov. 13). It was like Sept. 11 all over again. This at a time when fear of flying has left the airline industry in need of a lifeline. It has only been two months since the devastating attacks on America, which have no doubt changed the way we live, work and play. We pulled together as a nation and showed that we have the strength and resolve to make it through adversity, although I don’t think we will ever completely heal. But come on. How much more can New Yorkers take? My heart goes out to them.

Lisa M. Sanchez

Los Angeles

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It is inconceivable to me that the American public is not up in arms over the lack of airline security in this country. It goes without saying that the terrorists have no regard for human life, but apparently neither do the executives of the airlines, the airline security companies, the FAA and the Republican members of Congress. It is obvious that in their minds, politics and the bottom line are more important. We need to demand that our safety be paramount before the tragedy of Sept. 11 is repeated.

A.A. Schwab

Los Angeles

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As a moderate Republican I am completely mystified by the reluctance of the Republicans in Congress and their obvious foot-dragging in passing legislation to tighten drastically our admittedly weak airport security. Their fear that federal employees handling this security function might tend to vote Democratic is, frankly, idiotic. Do they think that the current employees of private firms, who are paid minimum wage and, in several cases, are convicted felons, are registered right-wing Republicans?

Pete Silk

San Gabriel

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The bottom line is that airline security and profits are incompatible.

Sol Londe

Reseda

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Re “Screening, Travel IDs Sought for Air Safety,” Nov. 9: Has no one in the airline industry read “1984” or “Brave New World”? Does no one remember the disgust in which we held the Soviet and Nazi regimes’ invasive tactics against their citizens, and in which we hold the repression of the Taliban against its own people?

The airline industry failed to screen properly those monsters on Sept. 11, and now it appears it is trying to turn blame away from itself by targeting passengers. Finding out the financial status and personal records of passengers is a huge infringement of our liberties.

Please do increase the efficacy of weapons detectors and of security personnel; check intelligence lists against passenger lists; X-ray all luggage; have a security check right at the entrance to terminals. But please, let’s not have a knee-jerk reaction to a sad and horrifying situation, a reaction that will surely reshape this beautiful, free country into a model of the oppressive regimes we have so diligently fought in the past.

Katja Werlich

Westlake Village