JetBlue to Be First to Install Cameras on Planes

March 30 -- Hidden cameras watch people in stores, at the office, even on the street. Now, they'll be keeping an eye on airline passengers as well.

JetBlue Airways is the first U.S. carrier to get approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to install video cameras on all its airplanes.

JetBlue is a successful start-up carrier based at New York's John F. International Kennedy airport. Soon after the Sept. 11 hijackings, the airline installed bullet-proof cockpit doors on all its planes. And it was the first carrier to match all luggage to passengers.

The airline has outfitted one plane with the video surveillance system, and plans to have its 23 other jets equipped with the miniature cameras within the next few months.

Flight attendant Melinda Rucker believes the cameras will act as a deterrent. She says when passengers "know that that camera is going to be here, they are going to think twice before they try something."

The cameras are positioned to cover the entire cabin. Some are visible, others are hidden so they cannot be tampered with. The views from the cameras are sent to the cockpit, where they can be seen on two monitors — one for each pilot. The crew can select a camera angle to view, or can set up the monitor to scroll through the camera shots one after another.

Pilots say this will be a big help, especially because they are no longer able to come out of the locked cockpit if there is a disturbance in the back of the plane. They will now be able to gauge how serious the incident is by looking at their video monitors.

"If there was a disturbance back there, we would be able to monitor the situation and land as soon as possible," says Capt. Lanny McAndrew, JetBlue's chief pilot.

Privacy Groups, Passengers Support — With Limitations

The company is flying into uncharted territory. There are no industry or government standards on the use and placement of cameras on plane. Privacy rights groups say they are not opposed to cameras on airplanes, but that there must be limits.