Posted on: Saturday, October 23, 2004

State unlikely to hire private screeners

Associated Press

WASHINGTON — With a deadline looming, the government has yet to come up with guidelines for commercial airports that want to replace federal baggage and passenger screeners with privately employed workers.

Officials at some of the nation's 445 airports say they're frustrated with the two-year-old government workforce. They say federal rules don't allow the flexibility to reassign workers to handle surges in air travel, which sometimes result in long waits for passengers at security checkpoints.

But those considering hiring private companies say they can't make a decision because they lack crucial information.

The application period begins Nov. 19 and will likely end three weeks later, but the Transportation Security Administration hasn't announced qualified private security companies. Nor has it established criteria for airports to participate in the program.

Bob Parker, spokesman for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, said more specifics are needed before a decision can be made.

Hawai'i transportation officials say they do not plan to privatize screening operations because the wait times at security checkpoints are reasonable. At Honolulu International Airport the average wait time is 15 minutes to 30 minutes. At Maui's Kahului Airport, the second-busiest in the state, the average wait time is two minutes to 15 minutes.

"We're working with TSA to keep the lines reasonable, so we don't see a need to privatize," said state Department of Transportation spokesman Scott Ishikawa.

TSA spokeswoman Amy von Walter said the agency has set up an e-mail address so airports can submit specific questions. Until then, she said, "We don't have a specific date on final guidance at this time as we continue to work a few issues — including liability."

Advertiser Staff Writer Lynda Arakawa contributed to this report.