TSA Close To Meeting Federal Passenger Screeners November 19 Deadline
By Ron Thaniel
November 18, 2002
Acting Under Secretary of Transportation Security Adm. James M. Loy announced November 12 that the TSA has deployed federal screeners to more than 400 airports.
The Aviation and Transportation Security Act mandates that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) hire and train thousands of screeners for the nation's 429 commercial airports by Tuesday, November 19.
Speaking before the Airports Council International North America on November 13, Acting Under Secretary Loy stated, "We're not only approaching our one-year milestone but also the November 19 congressional deadline to have in place federal passenger screeners at all commercial airport checkpoints. We're right on schedule to achieve that milestone, much to the surprise of many skeptics. I consider this nothing short of a major and historical accomplishment."
Meeting the November 19 screening deadline for a federal screening force is a priority for the nation's mayors as identified in the U.S. Conference of Mayors National Action Plan for Safety and Security In America's Cities adopted December 2001. In particular, the National Action Plan called on a fully federalized force at points of passenger, baggage and cargo inspections.
Major Airport Security Deadlines Summary
November 19, 2001
President Bush signed the Aviation and Transportation Security Act and created the Transportation Security Administration.
Airlines directed to reinforce cockpit doors with locks or steel bars.
January 18, 2002
The TSA must inspect checked luggage more closely by hand, with bomb sniffing dogs, explosive detection machines or by matching bags to passengers.
Passengers must pay new $5 fee per leg of each flight to help pay for security.
The TSA required to develop new training plans for airline flight crews and federal security screeners.
February 17, 2002
The TSA officially takes over private screening contracts from airlines.
November 19, 2002
The TSA must hire and have trained nearly 30,000 federal airport security screeners at the nation's 429 airports.
December 31, 2002
The TSA must screen every passenger's luggage with an explosive detection machine.
January 2003
The TSA is proposed to join a new Homeland Security Department.
April 9, 2003
Airlines are required to install reinforced cockpit doors on aircraft.
November 19, 2004
Airports may elect to revert back to private screening companies or keep federal screeners.
Homeland Security Bill Includes Airport Provisions
As of November 13, the House measure attached to the Homeland Security Bill this summer providing a blanket one-year extension for airports to install explosive detection systems (EDS) was rejected in favor of comprise language close to the language stalled in the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee that gives the TSA the authority to provide "waivers" to airports that cannot make the December 31, 2002 EDS deadline.
In addition, the language calls on the airport operators to take all necessary action to ensure that alternative means of screening all checked baggage is implemented until the requirements of the law are met.
During the Conference of Mayors Fall Leadership Meeting the mayors called on Congress to give the TSA this authority as opposed to a blanket waiver.
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