McCarran lands new security screeners

Suzanne Struglinski

Wednesday, July 27, 2005 | 11:11 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- McCarran International Airport will receive 247 new security screeners, the Transportation Security Administration announced Tuesday.

The new workers will bring McCarran's total to 1,079 screeners, who are responsible to move airline passengers through security checkpoints before going to their gates.

TSA has not said when the additional screeners will come to McCarran.

Last year Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., placed a hold on former Navy Rear Adm. David Stone's confirmation to head the TSA. He allowed the Senate to vote on the nomination only after TSA promised 231 more screeners for McCarran.

The new screeners announced Tuesday are in addition to the 231 the TSA previously promised, although the TSA could not say if those screeners had been placed at McCarran yet.

Federal law prohibits TSA from using more than 45,000 screeners among the country's airports. Members of Nevada's congressional delegation had complained in the past about the airport not receiving enough screeners based on the amount of people coming in and out of Las Vegas.

TSA spokeswoman Jennifer Peppin said the additional screeners come from a reallocation completed by the agency. She said some airports will not hire new screeners based on the additional spots at McCarran but the agency is not anticipating any layoffs.

Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., said she has "made the case repeatedly" about the demands placed on the screeners.

"McCarran is one of the busiest airports in the world and it's a constant challenge to keep passengers safe and security lines moving, but we have successfully managed to do both," Berkley, who sits on the House aviation subcommittee, said. "The addition of these screeners will improve the level of safety at McCarran Airport and will ensure that we have the workforce needed to handle even our busiest convention and holiday travel periods."

Elaine Sanchez, a spokeswoman for the airport, said the new screeners would help some of the lengthy security lines but referred specific questions to TSA.

Berkley spokesman David Cherry said the new screeners, who are already in the workforce at other airports, will help provide a more "seamless" experience for travelers who brave the long security lines.

The shift of the employees from mostly administrative positions to front-line screening jobs will cut down on the amount of training that can slow the time it takes new hires to make it into full-time service, he said.

"That's where the public is affected," Cherry said. "That's the face the public sees. ... The process (to train new hires) can be quite time-consuming but because they've already been trained we're hoping they can make it rather quickly."

Ensign spokesman Jack Finn said Tuesday's announcement is a culmination of his efforts. McCarran needs the additional screeners for the "extreme amount of tourist traffic that come through that airport every day."

Amy Maier, spokeswoman for Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., said anything to help reduce lines and get people through "quickly and efficiently" is welcomed.