Is it safe to fly yet? A transportation official says there still are `alarming lapses of security' and `systemic vulnerabilities' associated with U.S. air travel. Should new airline-security laws calm our fears?

Security Request                                Advocates   Compliance

P -- Air Line Pilots Association; F -- Association of Flight Attendants;
C -- Consumer's Union

1. Securing access to cockpit: dead
    bolts, fail-safe                            (P, F, C)    Some (S)
2. Updated employee security training:
    from 1970                                   (P, F, C)           S
3. Timely dissemination of intelligence
    information                                 (P, F, C)    None (N)
4. Standardize carry-on limitations:
    one bag                                     (P, F, C)           S
5. Limit employee access to sensitive
    areas                                       (P, F, C)           S
6. Prevent pilot uniform/credential
    duplication                                 (P, F, C)           S
7. Ban employment of convicted criminals        (F, C)              S
8. Eliminate curbside and offsite baggage
    check-in                                    (F, C)              S
9. Remove unclaimed or unattended baggage       (F, C)              N
10. Electronic employee IDs                     (P)                 S
11. ATC Com. Code: alerts nearby planes of
     distress                                   (P)                 N
12. Update common strategy: hijacking
     protocol                                   (P)                 N
13. Don't use planes to deport visa
     violators                                  (P)                 N
14. Remove pilot information from the
     Internet                                   (P)                 N
15. Publicity campaign: ensure public
     cooperation                                (P)                 N
16. Emergency hotline                           (P)                 N
17. Preparations for bio/chem attacks:
     air sensors                                (P)                 S
18. Cabin-to-cockpit communication system       (P)                 N
19. Allow pilots to carry necessary repair
     tools                                      (P)                 S
20. Ensure knowledge of all passengers
     onboard                                    (P)                 N
21. Photo of passenger w/baggage encoded
     on ticket                                  (P)                 N
22. Information of passenger capability:
     first aid ...                              (P)                 N
23. Certify flight attendants as safety
     personnel                                  (P)                 N
24. Standardize electronic ticket/check-in      (C)                 S
25. Improve security of connecting flights      (C)                 S
26. Revamp standing vehicle and delivery
     procedure                                  (C)                 S
27. Zero tolerance for threats and "air rage"   (C)                 N
28. Employ CFX bomb detectors on all baggage    (F)                 S
29. K-9 bomb-sniffing dogs at all airports      (F)                 S
30. Trained & certified aircraft-search
     personnel                                  (F)                 N

DATA COLLECTED AND PREPARED BY BRANDON SPUN, A REPORTER FOR Insight