Security Screening for Airline Employees
This blog falls into the “What the heck are they thinking?” category.
Last April, I wrote about a couple of idiots who smuggled guns and drugs on a flight. That incident caused the TSA, Congress and airline representatives to discuss whether or not airline employees should be subjected to the same screening as the general public is. You can read that blog here.
Apparently, some people think that is the case. H.R. 1413, a bill sponsored by Congresswoman Nita Lowey, a Democrat from New York, passed the House last month. In summary, the bill:
Directs the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration) to: (1) implement a pilot program at five commercial service airports to screen all airport workers with access to sterile areas of the airport; and (2) conduct a vulnerability assessment of each airport participating in such program.
Requires: (1) at least two of the participating airports to be large hub airports, with each of the remaining airports representing a different airport security risk category; (2) screening to be conducted under the same standards as apply to passengers at airport security screening checkpoints and to be carried out by private screeners at a designated screening lane for their exclusive use at a minimum of two airports; (3) the program to be carried out for not less than 180 days; and (4) each participating airport operator to conduct an assessment of the screening technology used at the airport and to submit the results to the Assistant Secretary.
There is a related bill that was introduced in the Senate last April (S. 1095: Airport Security Enhancement Act of 2007) that would:
Amend passenger and property screening provisions to require the screening by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel of: (1) air carrier employees that board a passenger aircraft; and (2) as soon as practicable after the date of enactment of certain airport perimeter screening provisions, airport and air carrier employees, contractors, and vendors before entry into a secured area of an airport in the United States.
Requires the heads of specified hub airports and nonhub airports to: (1) submit to the Administrator of TSA a plan for comprehensive screening of all individuals entering a secure area of an airport; and (2) implement the comprehensive screening plan not later than 60 days after its submission.
Maybe it’s just me, but how do you screen airline employees to the same standards as apply to passengers at airport security screening checkpoints? Do we now have to pack lunches with little 3-ounce bottles of juice that can all fit in a quart-size bag? What about purchasing new tools? How do we get a screwdriver, wrench, or other tool to work? I could go on and on, but you get the point.
Lets just hope that if the H.R. 1413 passes, the assessments of the trial security screenings will show that such a program is not feasible.
What are your thoughts? Do we need to suck it up and be subjected to security screening to protect the flying public from possible terrorist attacks? Is the government overreacting?
Thanks for reading!
Joe Escobar
I as a mechanic/IA which has past my 10 year backgroung check, should not be screened, but a possible yearly background check to be upgraded each year.We as mechanic’s are in a very differance position then most of the public. We try to maintain the highest standands on keeping the airlines safe. We, the mechanics come in through a secured gate that only the ID CARDS open the gate. Personnell coming in from off of the street should go throught the securty check point as they are not using any securty at all.
Anyone with an airport security badge should not have to be scrutinized by TSA’s former minimum wage private security firm hamburger flippers. These airline employees have been subjected to standards far above those who would be screening them. Talk about a disincentive for airline employment! Next we’ll all have to use plastic tools!
Joe, When you stated that the bill was sponsored by a Democrat from New York, that kinda said it all right there.
Howie,
If you look at Congresswoman Lowey’s page on GovTrack.us (http://www.govtrack.us/congress/person.xpd?id=400246) you see that she is labeled as a radical Democrat. The guage doesn’t go much further left than where her rating is.
Joe
What next random searches of our homes? We are professionals we have already been screened back ground checked finger printed drug tested my comapny and the government already knows more about me than I know myself. God Bless America Land of the free home of the brave? Not to much freedom any more?
Howie Fuller is absolutely correct. most if not all airline employees with SIDA access badges have more background screening and training and education than most if not all TSA screeners. Not to mention this would also have to apply to caterers and construction workers who have limited SIDA access. You want to see gridlock? try to implement this insanity.
What has always amazed me is that I have had on a few occasions been issued a “red” access badge, which gives me total access to the entire airport. Now I go through security and the TSA personnel have “Blue” badges, which limits their access and they treat the “red” badges like I am the next hijacker. If red badged personnel are being treated like this then the TSA and their officers and the politicians should have to go through security like the general public. This Bill is just one more example of government providing feel good measures for the flying public. Hey, here’s a thought,what if the politicians actually asked the people who drive and work the tarmac?
In Canada, we have biometric screening for access onto the hot side from the terminal building. Either finger print or retinal scan is used. Passing through vehicle access gates include vehicle search (what for, i don’t know). How will this affect me for rescueing a broken plane to be flown back into Canada when all I have is a Canada national pass, no American pass?
If they want to search all airline employees as they arrive for work, the airlines can COUNT on the delays mounting because the people responsible for getting the planes off the ground are stuck trying to get there. We currently have inspections of our vehicles here at ORD when coming into work. Often the gates back up all the way to the main road to the security check point (that’s about 2/10ths of a mile) and out onto the main road. Then I’m going to get inspected AGAIN??!! I start work at 04:30… don’t count on my 06:00 departures leaving on time!!
Mike, Inasmuch as you’re an alien, just sneak through the fence. We encourage that.
Mike,
funny how governments work, act first, then ask questions, then over react, then - finally raise taxes to fix the problem. Maybe they should look around see what works and what hasn’t. currnetly I’m working at KIX. This might be a good place to start looking.
I am a TSA supervisor. You point out that “a couple of idiots smuggled dope and guns on a flight” then go on to imply it is the TSA’s fault that congress wants something done.
The TSA does a fantastic job screening passengers and airline personnel; to be accused of being minimum wage hamburger flippers is insulting. The starting wage for a screener is 14.00/hr and goes to 19.50/hr which is more than I made as a new A&P.
Most airports have gaps that airline employees and airport workers exploit to avoid security, these are the types of openings that our enemies look for and use against us. My screeners do a great job dealing with airline personnel that think their job is the most important thing happening at the airport, it isn’t. Working together for a complete security profile is the most important job.
Ron,
I did mention a couple of idiot airline employees, but I didn’t imply this stupid resolution was TSA’s fault. Instead, I pointed out that this is a bill sponsored and introduced by a liberal democrat from New York that makes no sense whatsoever.
I read Mr. Fuller’s comment about hamburger flippers that you reference. I agree with him. The insult is not the fact that TSA employees are paid minimum wage. On the contray, what is insulting is the fact that they get paid the $14.00/hr that you mention as a starting wage. And what qualifications do you need? I believe hamburger flipping qualifies so long as you have good vision and pass a background check.
So do you blame aircraft mechanics that spend tens of thousands of dollars getting an FAA certification to make $10.00/hr starting out for feeling some hostility? Do you get it?
And how can you possibly hold airline employees to the same screening standard as the general public? Would you let them bring newly purchased tools to work? If you don’t, the mechanics can’t do their jobs. If you do, you are defeating the purpose of the increased screening.
Pretty odd situation to be in. Fortunately, from what I hear, this resolution doesn’t have much of a chance of passing.
Joe
I work for an airline that services military contracts and I routinely travel with tools as checked baggage so that I may connect with these aircraft and turn them in some pretty remote locations. TSA is forever searching my bags to the point of removing sockets from their rails and leaving the flashlights on and depleting the batteries then throwing everything back in in a jumbled heap.
If I want to ride one of our own aircraft from its home base I have to bring my clothes through the TSA check point because you can’t bring them through the SIDA checkpoint and if I have positioned in I have to bring my tools in through the SIDA check point. This dual check point system has indeed caused me to nearly miss flights on several occasions. Not to mention that someone using my good name has marked me for life and I can not use the automated check-in machines as I must show an agent a form of ID with a birthdate (my SIDA ID will not do) then I am rewarded with a SSS stamp on my boarding pass.
I have spent 35 years insuring the safety and integrity of aircraft and I am put under the scrutiny of a 17 year old Burger King graduate who has the power to end my career.
Our government has allowed the terrorists to win by persecuting the innocent and they continue to think up more ways to make our lives frustrating.
I for one am very close to giving up aviation forever.