Letter: Republicans disregard safety of air travelers

Thursday, Nov. 15, 2001 | 8:56 a.m.

I read your Nov. 12 editorial, "Cosmetic changes won't do." I agree that President Bush's idea of putting more National Guardsmen at the airports will not solve the problem. These guards are staying safely on the ground. To build back the public's confidence in flying, they need to be in the air to protect the passengers and the planes from would-be terrorists.

The airport security screeners are not adequately paid, motivated or trained to do their jobs effectively.

They are hired by indifferent, profit-oriented private companies that have failed to provide the airlines and the public with a competent work force.

The Senate voted 100 to 0 to federalize the security system at our airports. Apparently that would mean the government could monitor quality control, regulate, train and oversee security, as opposed to contracts being awarded to the lowest-bidding companies, which inevitably results in the lowest job performance. But the Republican leadership, backed by President Bush, disagreed with the Senate and voted to basically keep the current private system in place despite its obvious failures and inadequacies.

It appears that Republicans are worried that if airport workers become government employees they might unionize and, therefore, might tend to contribute to and vote for Democrats. Their petty concern over a few potential votes for Democrats is apparently greater than their concern for our safety.

JOYCE SEGAL