Air Travel Security Panel To Tap Silicon Valley Resources

Recommendations for making air travel safer in California have included placing National Guard troops in airports and air marshals and California Highway Patrol officers aboard in-state flights. Now two officials are launching a task force to tap the technology resources of Silicon Valley to increase air-travel security.

U.S. Rep. Mike Honda (D-San Jose) and San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales haven't yet named anyone to the 20-member Silicon Valley Blue-Ribbon Task Force on Aviation Security and Technology, which will be charged with recommending ways to use technology to improve passenger identification, baggage screening, airport and cockpit security, and detection of explosives and other dangerous materials.

The group is to present its recommendations to the U.S. Department of Transportation within 100 days after its first meeting in March.