LaGuardia Airport -- Representative Nita M. Lowey today praised the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Transportation Security Administration, and local airport personnel for meeting the November 19th deadline for federalizing airport screeners, and called for additional air security improvements the day after a terrorist threatened an El Al flight attendant before being subdued by air marshals.

“Within 12 months, top-notch screeners have been recruited, trained, and deployed to secure airports across our country,” said Lowey. “Federalizing airport screeners has helped to preserve a mainstay in our lagging economy and a part of the American way of life. A cornerstone in America’s new aviation security structure has been laid.”

Lowey said that turnover rates of 120% among airport screeners are now a thing of the past. Now, well-paid, accountable professionals who are trained in the latest screening techniques have replaced privatized teams, assuring consistency in security practices at airports throughout the country.

A very outspoken advocate of air security following the terrorist attacks last September, Lowey said more must be done to protect our skies through baggage screening and the air marshals program. Under the Aviation and Transportation Security Act passed in 2001, TSA has the authority to deploy air marshals on every single U.S. flight.

“Yesterday, air marshals on an Israeli flight quickly subdued a knife wielding terrorist, possibly saving at least hundreds of lives. I believe we must move expeditiously to improve the air marshal program to provide the maximum number of security personnel not only in our airports, but also in our skies. The recent terrorist attempt on an El Al flight underscores the need for air marshals on every flight.”

Lowey also said that we cannot allow the recent extension of the deadline to install explosive-detecting machines in airports to slow progress on air security. The original deadline of December 31, 2002, was extended by one year in the Homeland Security legislation passed by the House last week and expected to be passed by the Senate this week.

“When it comes to air security, time is not on our side. The rapid deployment of screening devices is essential to safeguarding our skies. I hope this extension will not put the brakes on air security. Instead, we must move forward with the same dedication shown in federalizing screeners,” Lowey said.

“I extend a hearty thank you to the security personnel of LaGuardia Airport for their hard work in meeting the deadline for federalizing passenger screeners. I am confident they will work with the same dedication to meet the deadline for installing baggage screening machines, and I look forward to continuing to work with them toward that goal.”

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