Use your browser's back button to return to Senator Rockefeller's Webpage.

ROCKEFELLER HOLDS HEARING ON IMPLEMENTATION OF AIRPORT SECURITY MEASURES

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Continuing his efforts to increase security at our nation’s airports and in our skies, Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Aviation, today held a hearing to allow the Department of Transportation (DOT) to explain recently implemented security upgrades, as well as plans for future security measures. Rockefeller acknowledged the gains made by DOT, but stated that there is still much to be done.

"We didn’t ask for incremental change, we asked for – and demanded – fundamental changes for airport security. Everyone who now boards a plane, be it in West Virginia or in Chicago, must know that everything possible is being done to make that flight secure. However difficult it may be, whatever it takes, it must be done."

Senator Rockefeller requested the hearing so that he could hear from the new U.S. Department of Transportation Undersecretary John Magaw, and U.S. Department of Transportation Inspector General Kenneth Mead about specific aviation security issues, such as:

Baggage Screening. The Aviation and Transportation Security Act mandated that every bag must be screened by January 18^th. While DOT met the deadline, Rockefeller wanted to make sure that they are using the most effective combination of technologies to screen bags and cargo on passenger planes, including on connecting flights.

Pay and Benefits for Screeners. The aviation security law gives DOT the authority to set pay and benefits for screeners. Rockefeller cautioned that if the screeners are treated and paid like second class citizens, they will do second class work.

Communications with Airports and Airlines. Rockefeller said that both airports and airlines have expressed confusion about their roles in the airport security process, and that DOT must give them specific answers of what is expected, so they are able to do their part.

Cargo. The law required that mail and cargo loaded on passenger planes must be screened, and required DOT to address security issues on cargo aircraft (e.g., UPS and FedEx). Rockefeller called for quick action to address security on cargo airplanes.

General Aviation and Air Charters (non-commercial planes). Rockefeller, citing the incident last month in Tampa when a young student flew a Cesna into a bank building, said this circumstance also represents an enormous gap in aviation security. Rockefeller reminded DOT that Congress had asked for an early plan on how to handle security in general aviation and air charters, and indicated that Congress may need to pass additional legislation in this area.

"With respect to all of these issues, let me emphasize that it is not enough to simply implement the bare minimum of the law’s requirements. I expect the Department of Transportation to use the maximum authority granted to them by the aviation security law, and I will support their initiatives any way I can," Rockefeller added.

Rockefeller was instrumental in authoring and passing the Aviation and Transportation Security Act of 2001, which produced the new standards and guidelines for aviation security.

###