"Opinion: Tighten security at NC airport"

Tuesday, August 24, 2004

Opinion
Tighten security at airport
We saw an apparent knife pass undetected while workers talked
BY TIMINA STENGEL
The Charlotte (NC) Observer


I was appalled. I couldn't believe what I saw, especially during a week
when the headlines focused on a Pakistani man who was caught videotaping
buildings in downtown Charlotte. On Aug. 12 my husband and I were
catching an early morning flight from Charlotte to Chicago. At security,
we followed the routine: empty your pockets, take out your laptop,
remove your shoes.

Directly in front of us were an elderly couple and what appeared to be
their two grandsons. One of the boys was no more than 17 or 18. When it
came time for him to empty his pockets, he did so willingly, even
sending what appeared to be a taped-up open blade through the x-ray
machine.

During this time, the gentleman running the walk-through security meter
could barely be bothered to look at those of us passing. He was busily
chatting with the woman running the x-ray machine, and on this day, it
seemed as though his job was an unnecessary burden. She was honestly
trying to do her job amid the distraction. But it is hard to concentrate
when you have someone talking to you.

My husband noticed that the basket containing the suspicious item was
not entirely in the x-ray machine when she examined it. So, you guessed
it. These two security workers let this kid pass without saying a word
about what he had.

The kid and his grandparents looked totally harmless, and they were (I
know because he was on my flight to Chicago). But my husband still told
an airline attendant about what we had seen, and the situation was
handled very professionally. If you are wondering why we did not say
anything at security, it is because we assumed nothing would be done
there. Plus, we were both a little torn about what to do; as I said,
this kid with his grandparents hardly looked like a terrorist, but you
just never know.

The problem, of course, is if airport security can miss an open blade,
or what looked like it, what else are they failing to catch when they
are too busy talking to do their jobs? We all have the choice to boycott
an airline if we do not like its services or flights. But most of us
cannot boycott flying entirely; we have business and personal needs that
demand air travel.

I am mad as hell that in these times, anyone working at an airport would
be anything less than extra careful -- considering that lives truly are
on the line. I want accountability from the federal Transportation
Security Administration, which is in charge of hiring security at
Charlotte/Douglas. Inattentive security attendants should be fired, not
given a slap on the wrist.

Certainly, I realize that airport security jobs do not require much
training (hours versus the years other professionals must train), and
better pay is always an issue; as a frequent traveler, though, I would
gladly pay more in ticket prices for the peace of mind in knowing that
security workers view themselves as professionals who are fairly
compensated.

Like any federal agency, the Transportation Security Administration is
not perfect, but it does not have the luxury of tolerating laziness and
indifference from employees who should be looking out for the public's
best interest. Anyone can forgive a mistake, but it wasn't as though the
kid had the object hidden under layers of clothes or tucked away in a
body crevice. He put it through the x-ray machine!

The airlines themselves should be angry with airport security, given the
hit the industry took after Sept. 11. While airlines are struggling to
revive the industry, airport security is putting the nails in its
coffin.

It comes as no surprise that people have legitimate fears about
terrorism these days. There exist evil people who sympathize with
terrorist groups, which makes it all the more crucial for airport
security to be at the top of its game.

I urge you to join me in demanding accountability from the agency in
charge of hiring and supervising airport security. If you or anyone you
love flies regularly, you understand that this is a fight we cannot
afford to lose.


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