These include the installation of close-circuit television cameras inside the cabins of planes and technology that would allow air-traffic controllers to take charge of a crippled plane by remote control.Mr Bush is, however, opposed to the request by the largest pilots’ union to allow its members to arm themselves with guns. He said: “There may be better ways to do it, but I’m open to any suggestion.”Reaction to Mr Bush’s measures was mixed. While most agreed that they would go some way to improving security, others thought that the government should take total control of the check-in and security procedures and make check-in staff federal employees.”I think it would better if you made it a federal job that you trained people to do – something like the FBI. You might have to put a tax on airline tickets, but I think people would he prepared for that,” said David North, the editor-in-chief of Aviation Weekly and Space Technology magazine “As all this kicks in you are going to see longer delays. We are going to have to get to the check-in three hours before take-off rather than two.”It was unclear last night whether Washington will try to ensure that other countries’ airlines follow suit in the use of sky marshals. Downing Street said yesterday that it was looking at the issue.While the introduction of marshals on American flights will put pressure on European carriers to fall into line, pilots from across Europe will discuss safety measures when the European Cockpit Association meets in Brussels on 7 October.A spokesman for the British Airline Pilots Association said last night that armed marshals were not a popular idea.

“Pilots in Europe have tended to think that having an unlocked door and no guns on board is the way forward. It is not necessary to lock doors or arm pilots,” said a spokesman, who explained there was concern that hijackers could disarm a marshal and use his weapon “A lot of American pilots don’t like this at all. It is something that is very keenly debated.”* Two mid-level American air force generals have been authorised to order the shooting-down of commercial airlines without clearance from the president if the planes threaten cities, the US military announced yesterday.. Tessa Jowell, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, met firefighters yesterday who battled to save victims of the New York terrorist attack.

Tessa Jowell, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, met firefighters yesterday who battled to save victims of the New York terrorist attack.
Ms Jowell, who has responsibility for co-ordinating support for the British relatives of the victims of the strikes on the World Trade Centre, also delivered personal letters of thanks from Tony Blair.The Prime Minister had intended to meet firefighters and police during his visit to New York last week, but had to cancel that part of his visit to meet President George Bush. His wife, Cherie, and the former US president Bill Clinton met the emergency workers in his place, and Ms Jowell visited the same fire station yesterday.She said: “British families owe an enormous debt of gratitude to these firefighters, who lost 10 of their members when the twin towers collapsed. They need to know how grateful we are for what they have done to save the lives of British people in this unprecedented tragedy.”Hundreds of Britons are missing and feared dead after the attack, plus some 350 firefighters and police.Ms Jowell met firemen Tom Woods and Captain Mark Munnelly, who hugged Mrs Blair during her visit. Capt Munnelly also hugged the Culture Secretary, and said later that both visits had meant a lot to him and his men.Ms Jowell said the attack was “almost certainly the biggest ever terrorist atrocity against British subjects” and said Britain was likely to be the second worst affected country, after the United States..