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From: Dave Farber <dave () farber net>
Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 07:38:09 -0500
From: Justin Rood <jrood () cq com> Dave, Just wanted to chime in that I've spent a little time covering TSA and airport security (just a little), but would like to share a little of what I've seen and heard. Please forgive the tedious detail. 1. The TSA recruiting process didn't necessarily give priority to anyone with an airport screening background. It may have been intended, but whether it came through in practice is disputable. In fact, there is at least one lawsuit I know of, in the Northwest, in which former private screeners are claiming they were prevented from applying for TSA jobs, despite their experience. I have heard similar claims from other areas of the country. 2. I don't think one can say, unequivocally, that minimum wage private sector screeners were the original problem. Some--at Logan Airport, for instance--may have been. But I haven't seen evidence that private sector screeners across the board were bad. Important to remember: before 9/11, one of the primary goals of airport screening anywhere was to get people on planes in time, not "to prevent the next 9/11." (TSA tries to be quick, too--but efficient and safe.) 3. There are problems with how TSA screener and screener supervisory positions were filled, but they are many and complex. I am sure there are examples such as the one cited below around the country, but there are also very competent and experienced managers--regardless of age, which shouldn't be a qualifier or disqualifier, anyhow--who are doing terrific work. There are also less-than-competent managers staffing airports who have many years of supervisory experience. Anyway, the contractor who handled the hiring process, NCS/Pearson, didn't exactly win high marks for its execution of its responsibilities. Some $90 million in payments is still being disputed by TSA, I believe. So, res ipsa loquitur, perhaps. TSA had a tough bill to fill--some think, impossible--and there are wrinkles, to be sure. In my experience, it's never been possible to point at one error at the agency and say, "that's what's going on all over the place!" Justin RoodCQ Homeland Security
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