Editorial: We must do better than this
Friday, Oct. 19, 2001 | 10:04 a.m.
After the Sept. 11 hijackings, federal regulators ordered the private firms in charge of airport security to beef up the screening of passengers and baggage. So far the security companies haven't done a convincing job of making things better.
Just last weekend seven of the 20 security screeners at Dulles International Airport failed to pass a written skills test conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation's inspector general. A baggage screener is required to pass the test before he starts his new job, and must also pass it every year. This is just one airport, but it makes us wonder just how many other baggage screeners are out there who also would fail. It also is hardly reassuring that over the weekend undocumented workers were discovered screening passengers at security checkpoints at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, or that federal prosecutors charged last week that criminals were hired as screeners at the Philadelphia International Airport.
Confidence in airport security has never been lower, for good reason. Privatized airport security has meant low-paid, badly trained employees, the product of low-ball bidding by private firms to win contracts from the airlines. Opinion polls show that the public overwhelmingly wants the federal government to take over airport security. We agree. Airport security screeners should be appropriately paid and should work for the federal government, not the airlines.
The Senate has passed legislation by a vote of 100 to 0 that would require airport security personnel to become employees of the U.S. Justice Department, but the bill is in limbo. The Republican House leadership still refuses to pass the measure, holding out stubbornly for privatization, even though the evidence clearly shows that farming out this important job to private contractors has failed. GOP House Speaker Dennis Hastert, instead of running home in fear after anthrax was discovered in the Senate (not the House, it should be noted), should have kept the House in session and passed the Senate's bill that would strengthen airport security.
archive
- Most Read
- Discussed
- Most E-mailed
- Live Blog: Pacquiao wins by TKO in round twelve
- Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao: The only fight fans want to see
- Police seek man who stole $2,000 worth of clothing
- Bruised and battered, Cotto says he will fight again
- Boulder City struggles with shocking allegations
- Ensign Federal Credit Union fails
- Construction goes bust, equipment goes on auction block
- Live game blog: Rebels open season with 91-52 victory against Pittsburg State
- Temperatures plunge in Las Vegas
- At halfway point, NFL is all about the quick change
Blogs
The Greene Room
MWC Winners and Losers: Week 11 (1 Comment)
Elsewhere
Dana White continues to push for event in Abu Dhabi
Politics: Ralston's Flash
Harry Reid is powerful for Northern Nevada, too! (1 Comment)
The Kats Report
New face of Monte Carlo includes all the faces of Caliendo
The Greene Room
Predicting this weekend's Mountain West football slate (2 Comments)
Top Chef: Las Vegas
Top Chef Episode 11: Child's play
Miech Again
UNLV prez Smatresk is ready for some basketball (14 Comments)
Calendar »
- 16 Mon
- 17 Tue
- 18 Wed
- 19 Thu
- 20 Fri
-
Lily Tomlin at the Hollywood Theatre
Hollywood Theatre at MGM Grand
-
The Automatic Tour at The Square Apple
The Square Apple
-
Football specials at Diablo's
Diablos Cantina
-
Rhumbar presents Pink Sugar Mondays
The Mirage Hotel and Casino
The Sun
Locally owned and independent for more than 50 years.
Technorati






