IN RECOGNITION OF THE NEED FOR ADEQUATE FEDERAL SCREENERS AT OUR AIRPORTS THIS SUMMER
WHEREAS, after the events of September
11, the federal government assumed responsibility for all aspects of security
at our nation’s airports by establishing the Transportation Security
Administration; and
WHEREAS, TSA’s responsibilities
included replacing the private screener workforce which had traditionally
screened passengers with federal employees at the security checkpoints; and
WHEREAS,
Thirteen of our nation’s top fifty airports will exceed their year 2000
passenger levels this summer. Because
security efficiency makes up a significant percentage of travel wait times,
airports operators are concerned that there will not be enough TSA screener
staff to meet the demand; and
WHEREAS,
Congress put a cap on the number of federal screeners at 45,000 and TSA is
running vacancies at approximately 7-10% under authorized levels,
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The United States Conference of Mayors calls
on TSA to ensure that the appropriate level of screener staff is available at
our nations’ airports to meet the needs of this summer’s traveling public; and
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Conference of Mayors calls on TSA to work with
airports in determining the appropriate number of screeners necessary for each
airport.
©2004 U.S. Conference of Mayors