US Senate debating whether to introduce WIRE CAGE between the cockpit and cabin on passenger planes

The US Senate is debating whether wire cages between plane cockpits and cabins will improve aviation security.

Pushed forward by Senator Bob Casey as an amendment to the Federal Aviation Administration Re-authorization Act, the idea would be that all passenger aeroplanes will have a second barrier installed.
Casey described how the bill contained 'commonsense measures' that would ultimately increase security for all passengers.

Speaking to the Times Leader, Senator Casey said: 'I would like to have it on every aircraft right now. The barrier prevents anyone from getting to the flight deck when the cockpit door is open.'
Since the terror attacks of 9/11, regulations came into place to re-inforce the cockpit door, and to ensure pilots kept it locked at all times through the flight.

Casey has highlighted that currently, when one of the pilots needs to leave the cockpit to use the restroom, a flight attendant will stand in the arch, or a service trolley is parked there.
He also says there has been 51 attempted hijackings of planes since 2001. 

Senator Bob Casey has said his amendment contains 'commonsense measures'

The bill has progressed to the legislative decision stage after a 94 to four vote in favour of it passing the procedural stage.
'I'm calling on Congress to get this legislation to the president's desk as soon as possible, added Casey.
'We need to bolster security at airports and on airplanes themselves.'

The politician believes the wire barrier will cost between $3,000 and $5,000.

News-site Philly.com says that the reauthorization bill also 'include provisions to beef up security in non-secure areas of airports, such as check-in and baggage claim, and more bomb-sniffing canines in light of the terrorist attacks in Brussels last month.'
Speaking to MailOnline Travel about the amendment, the chief executive of the UK Flight Safety Committee Dai Whittingham said: 'I am aware of the proposal but I don't believe it has much support this side of the Atlantic on the simple grounds that the additional mesh is unnecessary.

'I also don't recognise the figure of 51 attempted hijackings since 2001. It is possible Senator Casey is characterising attempts to gain access to the flight deck as failed hijackings but that is not evidence or fact other than proof the current system works. 
'The implications for the industry are significant, especially in terms of cost - the $5,000 per aircraft seems very low and probably takes no account of design and airworthiness considerations, never mind the variation in cabin layouts across the different fleets and manufacturers. 
'There also needs to be thought about the impact of a second barrier on emergency evacuations.
'If the proposal applies only to U.S. carriers, so be it, but the imposition of this by default (to allow operations in the U.S.) would not be welcome.'

(culled from dailymail.co.uk)