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| MCCAIN SEEKS
TO CLARIFY GUIDELINES GOVERNING SEARCHES AT AIRPORTS
|
| For Immediate Release |
| Friday, Feb 08, 2002 |
| |
Washington, DC – Senator John McCain (R-AZ),
Ranking Republican of the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation, today asked the
Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to clarify their
procedures and guidelines with respect to opposite sex
pat-downs and searches.
"Consistent, first-rate
security at airports is our top aviation priority. There
must be one level of security of all passengers, both
male and female, especially in light of the recent
female suicide bomber in the Middle East," McCain wrote
in a letter to FAA Administrator Jane Garvey and TSA
Undersecretary John Magaw. "However, given the
sensitivities to what could be considered inappropriate
acts by security agents, I ask for clarification of the
procedures and guidelines that have been set."
(letter below)
February
8, 2002
The Honorable John Magaw
Undersecretary
Transportation Security
Administration
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590
The Honorable Jane
Garvey
Administrator
Federal Aviation
Administration
800 Independence Ave., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20591
Dear Undersecretary
Magaw and Administrator Garvey:
I write
concerning the procedures and guidelines governing
searches and pat-downs of passengers at security
checkpoints in airports
It has come to my
attention that there have been numerous complaints of
improper actions by security personnel during pat-down
searches at airport security checkpoints. Specifically,
there have been allegations by female flight attendants
and female passengers of improper contact by male
security guards.
Consistent, first-rate security
at airports is our top aviation priority. There must be
one level of security for all passengers, both male and
female, especially in light of the recent female suicide
bomber in the Middle East. However, given the
sensitivities to what could be considered inappropriate
acts by security agents, I ask for clarification of the
procedures and guidelines that have been set forth by
the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and/or the
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) with
respect to opposite sex pat-downs and searches.
The TSA will shortly to assume responsibility
for all security at airport checkpoints and, in
November, all screeners will be federal employees. I
hope that you will carefully consider how to best ensure
proper training and explicit, uniform security
procedures or guidelines for pat-downs that will allow
the same, high level of security for everyone, while at
the same time taking into account the unique concerns of
opposite sex searches.
Let me add that I trust
that whatever decision or course of action the agencies
take with respect to this issue will be in the best
interests of the country. I seek no preferential
treatment for anyone involved in this matter, and
request only that all interested parties be treated
appropriately, fairly, and in a timely manner.
Thank you for your attention to this matter, I
look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
John McCain
Ranking Republican
JM/rc |
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