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S. 2554 107th Congress Senate

Arming Pilots Against Terrorism and Cabin Defense Act of 2002

Official title: A bill to amend title 49, United States Code, to establish a program for Federal flight deck officers, and for other purposes.

Introduced: September 3, 2002 See on congress.gov
Transportation and Public Works Administrative procedureAir piracyAircraft pilotsAirline employees
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Armed Forces and National SecurityCommercial aircraftCongressCongressional reporting requirementsCrime and Law EnforcementCriminal justice informationCurriculaDamagesDepartment of TransportationEBB TerrorismEmployee trainingExecutive reorganizationFederal law enforcement officersFirearmsFlight crewsGood samaritan lawsGovernment Operations and PoliticsGovernmental investigationsIdentification of criminalsInternational AffairsLabor and EmploymentLawLaw enforcement officersMilitary trainingPersonnel recordsPolicePsychologyRetired military personnelScience, Technology, CommunicationsTerrorismViolenceWeapons
This bill died when the 107th Congress ended
It never became law before the 107th Congress (2001–2002) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 23, 2002
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4842-4843)
May 23, 2002
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4841-4842)
May 23, 2002
Introduced in Senate
 Amendments to this bill 1

Amendments propose changes to this bill. Members vote on amendments separately before the final bill vote. An agreed amendment becomes part of the bill; a failed amendment does not.

AmendmentSponsorPurposeStatusLatest action
SAMDT 4,205 – – No recorded outcome Jul 10, 2002
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 Latest action May 23, 2002

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4842-4843)

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service
Arming Pilots Against Terrorism and Cabin Defense Act of 2002 - Amends federal law to direct the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security to establish a program to: (1) deputize volunteer qualified pilots of commercial cargo or passenger aircraft as Federal flight deck officers; and (2) provide training, supervision, and equipment for such officers.

Authorizes flight deck officers to carry firearms and to use force, including lethal force, when they judge the security of an aircraft is at risk. Shields air carriers from liability for damages in Federal or State court arising out of the actions or omissions of a flight deck officer defending a plane from criminal violence or air piracy. Shields flight deck officers from liability except in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct.

Directs the Under Secretary to prescribe requirements for an air carrier cabin crew training program and its instructors. Shields an air carrier liability for actions or omissions of training instructors or cabin crew in defending an aircraft. Shields training instructors and cabin crew from liability except in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct.

Directs the Under Secretary to form an Aviation Crew Self-Defense Division within the Transportation Security Administration to develop and implement the program for training cabin crew members.

Directs the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security to study and report to Congress on whether possession of a nonlethal weapon by a member of an air carrier's cabin crew would aid the flight deck crew in combating air piracy and criminal violence on commercial airlines.

 Related & companion bills 4
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 2554: Arming Pilots Against Terrorism and Cabin Defense Act of 2002. 107th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/107-S-2554/
MLA
"S. 2554: Arming Pilots Against Terrorism and Cabin Defense Act of 2002." 107th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/107-S-2554/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 2554, 107th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/107-S-2554/.
Markdown link
[S. 2554: Arming Pilots Against Terrorism and Cabin Defense Act of 2002](https://openamerica.io/bill/107-S-2554/)
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