"Augusta, Georgia airport security jobs go unfilled"

Friday, December 14, 2001

Airport security jobs stay open 
By Becky Eckenrode 
The Augusta (GA) Chronicle

 
The Federal Aviation Administration wants Augusta's airport to increase
its number of security officers.

Augusta Regional Airport officials are having problems fulfilling the
mandate, though. No one is applying - at least not for what the airport
has offered to pay.

"When a potential LEO (law enforcement officer) learns of the airport's
salary, they usually decline the interview," airport Director Ken
Kraemer said in his monthly report to the Augusta Aviation Commission.

The FAA advised the airport to hire three more armed officers to patrol
gate areas as part of new security regulations in the wake of the Sept.
11 terrorist attacks.

Currently, there are five officers who patrol the airport's curbside
area.

The salary for the airport's officers, who are certified and have arrest
powers, is $9 an hour, $8.50 an hour for the first three months.
According to Mr. Kraemer's report, officers hired by the Richmond County
Sheriff's Office earn $12.45 an hour, and the Columbia County Sheriff's
Office pays new officers $11.41 an hour.

Mr. Kraemer has suggested increasing the airport's law enforcement
officer's salary to $10.25 an hour for the first three months and $10.75
an hour after that.

He reported that an FAA security inspector asked about the security
positions during a recent visit to the airport.

The inspector seemed satisfied that the airport was trying to find new
security officers but advised that they be hired as soon as possible,
Mr. Kraemer reported.


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