Passenger numbers stun new McCarran security boss

Jace Radke

Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2004 | 8:51 a.m.

McCarran International Airport's new federal security director has had three weeks on the job, but is still having a hard time wrapping his brain around the huge passenger numbers at the airport.

"That's the biggest difference without a doubt," said Dennis Clark, who was formerly the Transportation Security Administration's chief at El Paso International Airport. "It's amazing the number of passengers we push through this airport.

"The operations and regulations are the same here (as in El Paso) but the volume at McCarran is tremendous."

On Sunday about 82,000 passengers passed through security screening checkpoints, waiting an average of about 11 minutes each.

Clark, 58, comes to McCarran after serving a five-month stint in Washington, D.C., as the TSA deputy assistant administrator for aviation operations. Clark replaces Jim Blair who was promoted from McCarran to Washington, D.C., where he is now assistant administrator for aviation operations.

Clark was named security director of the El Paso airport in August 2002, and was there for the TSA's roll-out of federal screeners. Prior to heading up security in El Paso, Clark worked as director of security for Verizon and spent more than 20 years as a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agent.

He also served in Vietnam and was with Army Intelligence.

Clark comes to McCarran in the midst of a hiring period for screeners and said that he would like to get 100 new screeners hired soon. Currently the airport is allocated 1,054 screener positions, but only about 940 of those positions are currently filled.

Those interested in applying for a job as a screener can get more information at usajobs.gov, Clark noted.

Clark said he expects that McCarran's screener allocation could soon be raised. He said he also wants to dual certify more TSA workers so that they can work at security checkpoints and checking baggage for explosives.

There are still about 15,000 prohibited items that are stopped by security screeners at McCarran every month.

"Everyone is much more aware about what they can and cannot bring, but you still get sharp items, knives and other prohibited things," Clark said. "I always remind people to check their bags before they pack. Maybe they had taken the bag hunting and left a knife in there, and then they get to the airport and didn't know the knife was even there."

Airport security is still a work in progress, Clark said.

"It will continue to evolve," Clark said. "We want to get people through the checkpoints in a timely fashion while meeting safety requirements."