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House passes GOP-backed air security bill
November 1, 2001 Posted: 2:30 PM EST (1930 GMT)
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The House late Thursday approved an aviation security measure that will let the federal government oversee airport security but does not make airport screeners federal employees.
The Republican-backed measure, approved by a vote of 285 to 138, calls for federal oversight of private security screening companies. The administration will have the choice to hire private security companies or federal employees.
Rep. J.C. Watts, R-Oklahoma, said the measure will give airline passengers peace of mind.
"This legislation was about safety and security for those moms that I see in airports almost on a weekly basis that have a baby chair on one arm and a baby in the other arm and they're rushing to get to the gate," he said. "This bill is about them, so they have peace of mind."
President Bush commended the House on passage of the measure.
"I am pleased the bill includes many of the safety measures proposed by my administration, including strong federal oversight of airline security, an expanded federal air marshals program, and important aircraft security enhancements," Bush said in a statement after the vote.
In addition to federal oversight, the bill also calls for reinforced cockpit doors, air marshals on flights and allows pilots to carry guns under certain conditions with prior authorization and training.
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In the interim, the nation's aviation security system remains far
from perfect despite toughened measures since September 11. Some airports
have adhered to new standards better than others, a sporadic response that
leaves the airline industry at risk and federal authorities frustrated.
"Deficiencies exist," said Norman Mineta, the U.S. transportation secretary.
"Someone may undergo strict screening in Kansas City, while someone else can slip
a pistol by screeners in New Orleans and this is intolerable."
Mineta said he wants more Federal Aviation Administration agents inspecting
screening operations and is threatening to empty and re-screen entire concourses
full of passengers if failures continue.
Airline officials said they are doing their best.
"We all have a zero tolerance plan. Unfortunately it's almost impossible to always
have a 100 percent perfect system," said Carol Hallett of the Air Transport
Association.
The federal government has taken numerous steps to tighten aviation security:
limiting carry-on bags to one item, banning knives and cutting instruments, and
allowing only ticketed passengers beyond screening checkpoints.
More air marshals are being hired and put on aircraft. National Guard troops are
being deployed in airports. Cockpit doors have been reinforced.
Private aircraft flights are banned over parts of
Boston, Washington and New York. Temporary
flight restrictions also apply near nuclear sites and
large public outdoor and sporting events such as the
World Series.
Violators can be intercepted and, as a last resort,
shot down by military aircraft. But problems
remain.
Most checked bags and cargo are never screened.
Sophisticated machines to scan them are slow,
underused and not in place at all U.S. airports.
High turnover, low-wage employees continue to do
bag screening.
Another concern voiced by some is that simple IDs
allow access to secure areas of airports.
"Electronic identification of employees all around
the aircraft in secure areas -- we need that," Duane
Woerth of the Airline Pilots Association. "Will that be biometrics or finger printing
or iris scans or retinal scan?"
Flight attendants said they need training and nonlethal weapons to deal with
intruders.
"That part is being completely ignored and really leaving us completely vulnerable
to any sort of violent intruder in the cabin of the aircraft," said Patricia Friend of
the Association of Flight Attendants.
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