Posted on: Friday, September 28, 2001

The September 11th attack
National Guard personnel to stand watch at airports

By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Capitol Bureau

After an early-morning conference call yesterday with the White House, Gov. Ben Cayetano said all of the governors agreed to increase security at the airports with the help of the National Guard until federal authorities can take over.

Cayetano said President Bush unveiled the new airport security plan to the state leaders. "The president is proposing that the federal government expand its air marshal program and take over the jurisdiction for airport security in about six months," Cayetano said.

"In the interim, the president has asked every governor to activate a designated number of National Guardsmen to provide a presence at the different screening locations at the airports, which will be designated by the (Federal Aviation Administration)."

Cayetano said the National Guard personnel will go on duty by Oct. 7. He said at the request of the White House, he was not immediately disclosing the specific number of National Guard personnel who will be activated.

"It will be a fairly significant number and they will be providing some enforcement or security services, perhaps up to six months, at the expense of the federal government," he said.

The Hawaii National Guard had provided airport security in the days following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks until last Friday.

Cayetano said he did not know yesterday at mid-afternoon whether people who are not full-time Guard members will be affected. He said that some governors expressed concerned that the states did not have much input into this proposal and were wondering what effect the changes could have on travelers' confidence in air safety.

"Some of the governors expressed concern that the sight of the uniforms may have a different impact," he said.

"But in the end, we all decided, OK, the president decided that he wants to do this and so we're going to accommodate them."

Cayetano acknowledged that the higher standard of professionalism that is now being required may result in the loss of some jobs for those who currently work at the airport at screening stations under private contracts. "Clearly, many of them don't have the same kind of qualifications.," he said.

When asked if the increased professionalism would require higher pay for airport security workers, Cayetano said: "You're talking about nickels and dimes. It's a new day now."

Advertiser staff writer Lynda Arakawa contributed to this report.