Bush Federalizes Airport Screeners

Washington - As expected, President Bush today signed the aviation security bill, which will convert the nation's aviation security system into a federal force.

With the new law--crafted by House and Senate conferees last Thursday--"We take permanent and aggressive steps to improve the security of our airways," Bush said. This bill "should give all Americans greater confidence when they fly," he added, noting that "Despite divergent views, Congress worked closely with my Administration to develop a bipartisan conclusion that will help protect American air travelers."

Bush listed a number of steps the federal government has taken since Sept. 11 to raise aviation safety standards, including adding federal air marshals to commercial flights, the deployment of National Guard troops at commercial service airports and the institution of a zero-tolerance crackdown on security breaches.

"Now, we take the next important step," Bush said. "For the first time, airport security will become a direct federal responsibility overseen by a new undersecretary of transportation for security. Additional funds will be provided for federal air marshals, and a new team of federal security managers, supervisors, law enforcement officers and screeners will ensure that all passengers and carry-on bags are inspected thoroughly and effectively. The new security force will be well-trained, made up of U.S. citizens. If any of its members do not perform, the new undersecretary will have full authority to discipline or remove them."

At the same time, Bush said the United States "will adopt strict new requirements to screen checked baggage, to tighten security in all other areas of airports and to provide greater security for travelers by bus and by train. This bill sets a one-year deadline for the transition to the new system. It gives my Administration the flexibility we need to make that transition work."

Key provisions of the legislation provide:

--Within 90 days, the U.S. Department of Transportation will take over the contracts now held by the airlines with private security companies. Within one year, the government will replace the private screeners with its newly trained federal workforce of more than 20,000 employees. These new officers will not be permitted to strike and quickly can be removed for cause. They must be U.S. citizens, proficient in English and cannot not have criminal records.

--In a compromise nod to the House, which wanted the President to have the option of using private contractors, local airport authorities after two years in the new program will have the option to request permission to opt out of using federal screeners and use private contractors instead. DOT secretary Norman Mineta said he doubts this will prove attractive to airports, explaining that he is not sure there is an incentive for airports to do this.

--Further, the bill permits five demonstration projects in which airports may use private contractors instead of federal employees to screen passengers. The five airports that will participate in the demonstration program likely will vary by hub size.

--All checked baggage, as well as carry-on luggage, must be screened for explosives within 60 days of the bill's signing. Only 47 airports now have explosives detection machines and until the end of 2002--when all commercial service airports must have the automated devices--baggage must be screened by other means.

--The nation's air marshal force will be beefed up. DOT already is receiving applications for entry into the marshal's service.

--Part of the cost of the new program would be paid for by passengers, who would pay a $2.50 per flight segment fee and would be capped at $10 per roundtrip. The airline industry also would be assessed part of the cost, but less than what airlines now pay to hire contract security companies.

--Cockpit doors must be strengthened. Most airlines already have completed this directive. Further, flight crews would have to be trained to handle hijackings and pilots would be allowed to carry weapons, if they had permission from their companies and had completed a training program.

--All individuals and vehicles entering secure areas of airports would have to be screened.

--Liability protection would be extended to numerous parties facing lawsuits stemming from the Sept. 11 attacks, including owners of the World Trade Center and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and Boston Logan Airport.

--DOT rather than the Justice Department would be in charge of the new Transportation Security Agency that would administer the program.

Mineta said that, under the new law, "There will be tightened procedures for screening checked bags and the safeguarding of all areas of airports." He added that the new security system "will feature professionalism, accountability and, most importantly, a level of safety that will restore confidence in our national transportation system."