WashingtonWire - 2002-09-09

TSA's James Loy Revises Policies

Transportation Security Administration undersecretary James Loy said there is a possibility that a small number of airports may need a minimal extension of the Dec. 31 deadline for 100 percent screening of checked baggage with explosives detection systems to come into compliance. Loy was careful to emphasize, however, that he is not supporting a blanket one-year exemption of the deadline. So far, the House has approved Homeland Security Department legislation that contains a one-year delay in the EDS deadline. The Senate began debating the measure on Sept. 3, when lawmakers returned to Washington. Loy also has eliminated the requirement for airlines to ask two longstanding security questions of passengers checking in for flights. The questions, initiated 14 years ago, are: "Has anyone unknown to you asked you to carry an item on this flight?" and "Have any of the items you are traveling with been out of your immediate control since the time you packed them?" Loy explained that new and improved security procedures have made the questions obsolete. Loy further announced a new policy that allows passengers to carry paper or foam polystyrene cups through the walk-through metal detector at airport security screening checkpoints. The policy states that plastic, glass, metal or ceramic containers must go through the X-ray machines and, therefore, to prevent spillage, liquids and food must be in an unopened factory-sealed container or a sealable or spill-proof container.



U.K. Offers U.S. A Modest Heathrow Solution

British officials in August proposed a mini-deal with the United States in which both countries would be allowed to add carriers over the next two years at London Heathrow airport. Currently, bilateral restrictions limit service between Heathrow and several U.S. cities to two British and two U.S. airlines. The British proposal would permit each country to add two new airlines in 2003 and another two each in 2004. The United States did not make a response to the proposal.



Bush Requests Additional Funding For TSA

The Bush Administration on Sept. 4 submitted a budget amendment to Congress that, among other things, requests $546 million in additional funding for the Transportation Security Administration in fiscal year 2003, which begins Oct. 1. If approved, TSA would receive full year funding of $5.3 billion.

Specifically, the proposed amendment to the U.S. Department of Transportation spending bill includes:

• $200 million more to support passenger screening requirements. The Administration said that these funds will "ensure all passenger screening lanes are appropriately configured and adequate staff is hired, effectively trained and deployed."

• $50 million to purchase explosives detection systems, plus an additional $50 million in additional funding for research on a new-generation EDS systems.

• $50 million for such initiatives as $20 million for cockpit security, $20 million to test trucking security proposals and $10 million for additional canine units to inspect cargo and to extend coverage of terminals and baggage areas.

The Senate Appropriations Committee already has approved its version of the fiscal year 2003 DOT spending bill and the House is preparing for subcommittee and full committee review as early as this week.



FAA Issues Sept. 11 Flight Restrictions

The Transportation Security Administration and Federal Aviation Administration have announced temporary flight restrictions that will be in effect on Sept. 11 in connection with public events that day in New York, Washington, D.C., and Somerset, Pa., near the location of the crash of United Airines flight 93.

The restrictions, in effect between Sept. 11 and Sept. 13 in New York and only on Sept. 11 over the two other locations, prohibit aircraft from flying within a 30-mile radius of the event sites at altitudes below 18,000 feet. For airline flights into and out of all airports in these areas, the "30-minute seat rule" will be in effect, meaning that all passengers must remain seated for 30 minutes after takeoff and for 30 minutes prior to landing. This same rule has been in effect for flights at Reagan Washington National Airport since last October.

Special air traffic management procedures will be in effect for all flights in these areas, including foreign airlines.