Posted on 06/18/2002 8:58:45 AM PDT by blackbag
June 18, 2002
The Under Secretary of Transportation for Security, John W. Magaw, today announced the five airports selected to participate in the Private Security Screening Pilot Program -- intended to test the feasibility of having private contractors perform federally supervised passenger and property screening at airports.
Airports chosen for the two-year pilot program are San Francisco International, Kansas City International, Greater Rochester International in New York, Jackson Hole Airport in Wyoming, and Tupelo Airport in Mississippi.
“The airports selected for this pilot program will be key in determining how TSA moves forward in meeting provisions under the Aviation and Transportation Security Act,” said Magaw.
The decision to select these facilities was based on a number of factors including, but are not limited to, an airports willingness to participate, selecting a balance representation from across the United States, selecting areas with variable costs of living, the availability of existing screening company resources, and a mix of business, leisure and academic passengers.
The Private Security Screening Pilot Program is designed to determine if, with proper government supervision and controls, contract screening companies can provide and maintain the passenger and property screening performance levels provided by TSA’s federal screener workforce.
TSA’s next step will be to identify qualified private screening companies that are eligible to participate in the pilot program. TSA will solicit, award, and administer screening contracts. The screening companies awarded contracts will carry out passenger and property screening services at the five pilot program airports under federal supervision. TSA will also evaluate the contractors’ performance and will make contract termination decisions. To the extent feasible, TSA will work with the airport operation to assure that the best decisions are made and that the highest level of security and service are provided at all points in this process and through out the pilot program.
The Aviation and Transportation Security Act, Section 108, requires TSA to establish the pilot program. The Act requires that the private screening company be owned and controlled by a citizen of the United States. The Act also sets forth the provision that TSA may terminate any contract entered into with a private screening company that has repeatedly failed to comply with any standard, regulation, directive, order, law, or contract applicable to hiring or training personnel or to the provision of screening at an airport. In addition, contractors are required to meet or exceed employment standards, compensation and benefits rates, and performance requirements that apply to federal security screeners.
Since he likes this 'Pilot' program, I wonder if Mcgaw would be interested in selecting a couple of Airlines to test Arming the Pilots?
good question....
On the plane, the stewardesses passed out chewing gum when the plane took off. I hope they are a little more hi-tech now.
Another waste! More politics and plainly S T U P I D! If Pilots want to become cops they should take the civil service test. I dare anyone to come up with a REAL (Non-NRA) study that shows me this makes any sense and will add to the protection of the aircraft.
PS! To take the wind out of your sails I am 210% behind the Second Amendment.
210% behind the Second Amendment (except for pilots in cockpits as the last line of defense that may mean the difference between life or death for hundreds of innocent people).
That 2nd Amendment?
Absolute NONSENSE! We are talking CQB here. What you think someone masters this by busting caps once a month? There are other divises that can be used. Why doesn't Israel arm their pilots?
Stun guns? Fire Ax? Bare Fists?
Why doesn't Israel arm their pilots?
Probably because you can be assured there is more than enough guns in the cabin of one of their airliners.
One plane thinking! Try a Green Laser!
"Why doesn't Israel arm their pilots? Probably because you can be assured there is more than enough guns in the cabin of one of their airliners."
You may think so? This is also nonsense. The Israeli's profile and then will strip search you, your bags, your dog and your kids if they think you even have terrorism in your family blood line. Yes they have trained armed critters on aircraft and still have accidents, of course you don't jear about these, but they put a lot of focus on getting you before you board.
You like that word, "Nonsense," I've noticed.
Beating your chest is not going to change my mind. I am a former military pilot and a former airline pilot. In today's environment I would feel more comfortable packing a weapon if I were in the cockpit. As a very occasional passenger, I would feel more comfortable knowing that the pilots on my airplane would have the chance to splatter some brains all over first class if it became necessary.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.