"2 California Airports Eliminate Random Gate Checks"

Tuesday, September 24, 2002

2 Airports Launch Security Program
By LESLIE MILLER


WASHINGTON (AP) - A pilot program to eliminate random security screening of
people about to board planes was launched Tuesday in two California
airports, according to the Transportation Security Administration.

Federal workers will identify and screen all passengers at the main security
checkpoint, and all customers will have to get boarding passes before
passing through security, the TSA said.

The pilot programs are being conducted at Los Angeles International Airport
Terminal 4 in cooperation with American Airlines and at Long Beach Municipal
Airport in cooperation with JetBlue Airways.

TSA officials say there is less need for an additional layer of security at
airport gates as better-paid, better-trained federal workers take over at
airport security checkpoints. The deadline for all commercial airports to
have federal screeners is Nov. 19.

TSA chief James Loy wants to start phasing out the random searches on an
airport-by-airport basis, TSA spokesman Robert Johnson said.

Paul Hudson, executive director of the advocacy group Aviation Consumer
Action Project, said he's alarmed by what Loy is proposing because it
eliminates an important layer of security.

Michael Wascom, spokesman for the Air Transport Association, which
represents major airlines, said the random checks don't add any additional
measure of security.

He said more sophisticated passenger and baggage screening makes random gate
screening unnecessary.

Loy, who became head of the TSA after his predecessor was accused of
ignoring passenger convenience, said he wants to balance security with
customer service. He has already gotten rid of the requirement that
passengers be asked questions about whether they have kept a close eye on
their baggage. He has also decided to allow passengers to carry drinks
through security checkpoints. He calls the random gate screenings "hassle
checks."

The TSA won't say how passengers are singled out for the random checks,
citing security concerns. Hudson, a member of the Federal Aviation
Administration ( news - web sites)'s Aviation Security Advisory Committee,
said 5 percent to 10 percent of an aircraft's passengers are screened
through profiling and random checks.


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