Approaching normal

The word “normal” may seem archaic, even absurd, given the extent of this tragedy. Although there may never be a return to pre-Sept. 11 normal, small but definite steps are turning the nation in the right direction.

One agency of government that has been particularly effective in this regard is the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA certainly shares responsibility – along with Congress, airlines, airports and a flying public that demanded convenience above all – for the egregious lapses in security that made tragedy possible. Since that terrible day, however, the FAA, guided by Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, has distinguished itself with decisive action.

The emergency closure of airports was absolutely necessary. There were roughly 4,000 aircraft aloft in U.S. airspace at the time of the attacks; getting them all landed safely was a marvel of air traffic control. The speedy but careful reopening of airports within two days was an important signal that this country would not be paralyzed. Since the reopening, there have been isolated incidents of security breaches, but the involved passengers and airport personnel have been dealt with sternly.

Another welcome sign that the FAA can reform procedures and move forward at the same time came Monday, when the ban on shipping mail and cargo on passenger flights was lifted, but only after improved security protocols were put into place. The ban was necessary, but its continuance was an increasing hardship, the financial and human costs were mounting and the accumulating cargo was starting to resemble paralysis.

Particularly hard-hit were hospitals (although exceptions to the ban were made from the start for blood and organs, shipments of other medical equipment was subject to delays) and businesses dealing in perishable foods. No business deals with a food more perishable than the Maine lobster industry and cross-country shipments, usually in excess of 30,000 pounds per day this busy time of year, had been reduced to near zero. The significance of this loss, though, must be measured not in tons of spoiled lobster, but in the thousands of families and dozens of communities threatened with the loss of their livelihoods.

Maine Rep. John Baldacci, a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s Aviation Subcommittee, worked closely with the FAA on the resumption of cargo flights. His daily involvement in this matter provided the rural hospitals and lobstermen in his district with important and timely information and helped bring about a satisfactory resolution.

This tragedy has forced everything into perspective. Here’s how Susan Barber, director of the Maine Lobster Promotion Council put it: “I don’t know if we’ll ever be able to say ‘back to normal.’ In these circumstances, it’s a such a small issue, but it’s all part of moving forward.”