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Monday, December 13, 2010
Check Sunport Options Out
By Dan Lewis
Albuquerque City Council
As Americans grow increasingly uncomfortable with methods being used to keep us safe while traveling by air, we have to ask if these methods are working or just creating an illusion of safety.
Invasive methods that could actually be unconstitutional are what some are calling "security theatre" — they create the appearance of security, but may only be responding to yesterday's threat. A growing number of airports in the United States are coming to the conclusion that there is a better way to approach airport security screening, and it begins with considering the option of replacing the TSA.
At the Dec. 6 Albuquerque City Council meeting, I introduced a resolution that directs the administration to work with the City Council to outline the steps for the city of Albuquerque to "opt out" of TSA screening at the Albuquerque International Sunport and replace that screening with a private contractor under the provisions of the Screening Partnership Program authorized by federal law.
The city should consider both the potential benefits and challenges to these changes because of problems with the TSA throughout the country.
The TSA has become a huge bureaucracy which has grown to more than 67,000 employees. It is impersonal, too mechanical, administratively top-heavy and could be dangerously ineffective.
Many believe that replacing TSA security and screening with a federally approved private security firm will result in better customer service at a better price, more accountability and safer air travel for Americans.
The current policy assumes that all Americans are potential terrorists. Not only is that wrong, it's an insult to us as citizens and sets a terrible precedent.
We have a flawed approach by the federal government to airport security that many believe doesn't make us any safer, diminishes our dignity as individual citizens and will ultimately result in fewer people flying and increased misery among those who do.
What many citizens are now finding out is that the Aviation and Transportation Security Act allows airports to utilize a program known as the Screening Partnership Program, which allows airports to benefit from private-sector expertise and know-how. Under the Screening Partnership Program, airports work in partnership with the TSA to hire a qualified private screening company to provide screening services at airports under federal oversight.
The Federal Government provides the funding if an airport uses a private firm because it will still follow TSA requirements. Under the partnership, private companies must also pay the screeners the same pay and benefits that the TSA provides.
There are currently 17 airports participating in the Screening Partnership Program including San Francisco International Airport; Kansas City International Airport; Greater Rochester International Airport; and Sioux Falls Regional Airport. Both Orlando, Fla., airports are now moving toward private screening.
The TSA federal security director for the Albuquerque Sunport recently approved the selection of a private company to provide security screening at the Roswell International Airport.
This change could result in a much better trained security and screening workforce with more effective and safer methodologies.
There is no doubt that New Mexicans are anxious about flying right now and wondering what they might encounter when they get to the airport. Now more than ever, Albuquerque should consider alternative options available to us and weigh the benefits and challenges of any new proposal.
Separating the TSA from being both the security policy-maker (regulator) and the screening provider is a step in the right direction.
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