The US airline revolt against looming and "unrealistic" airport security deadlines has enlisted key support in US Congress. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), however, is standing firm on the deadline of 31 December to implement full baggage screening.
American Airlines chief executive Don Carty is calling on the federal government for "common sense" security, and says a way needs to be found "to accelerate the non-threats through the airports so we can concentrate security resources on the real threats".
Continental Airlines chairman Gordon Bethune is warning of "a meltdown and a national embarrassment" when the requirement for full baggage screening takes effect. Carty and other airline executives are backing legislation that would allow large airports such as Dallas/Fort Worth to seek exemptions from the deadline after which all bags must be checked for explosives.
The bill to delay the deadline is backed by Republican Kay Granger, a member of Congress from American Airlines' main hub of Fort Worth, Texas. The bill would allow the TSA to grant exemptions on a case-by-case basis to avoid what some predict would be massive checkpoint delays. Granger says that while 75% of the nation's airports are expected to meet the deadline, the other 25% that accommodate 80% of passengers might not, due to costs and logistics. A similar bill is pending in the Senate. Most airports have endorsed this approach.
US Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta has rejected the complaints, while Transportation Security Administrator John Magaw says that the deadline is firm.
Source: Flight International
