By Philip Newman
U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-Jackson Heights) has denounced as a “sham” the Republican-sponsored airport security legislation approved by the House last week, saying it would help special interests rather than passengers.
“This bill is a sham, and the American public will be forced to pay,” said Crowley, whose congressional district includes LaGuardia Airport.
The House last Thursday approved HR 130 by a vote of 266-139. The legislation transfers oversight of the airport security to the federal government but leaves the actual staffing of baggage screening and security personnel to private industry contractors.
“If Sept. 11 taught us anything, it is that aviation security is a matter of national security,” Crowley said. “Passengers need to be assured that airports practice the highest level of security procedures.
“Our military men and women are federal employees, our capitol police are federal employees, our National Guard are federal employees and screeners at airports should be trained, professional law enforcement officers.”
The U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bill making airport baggage screeners federal employees so that any final passage would be required by both House and Senate would require compromise.
Crowley said “the most egregious provisions” in the GOP bill would exempt all corporate interests from liability from the World Trade Center attack and remove limits placed on salaries and benefits of airline chief executives.
He said the bill would exempt any defendant in a Sept. 11-related action to be immunized from punitive damages regardless of its conduct.
“That means the Republican bill will protect even a private airport baggage screening company that may ultimately be found to have recklessly allowed a breakdown in the security protocol,” Crowley said.
A group of congressional members, mostly representing Queens, had previously accused the House leadership of risking lives of air travelers in its zeal to keep baggage screeners from becoming federal employees.
U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-Bayside) told a recent news conference at the Marine Air Terminal of LaGuardia Airport security was so low that he was able to carry knives and .22 caliber bullets onto a jetliner.
Critics of the present system of baggage screening said pay is so low — sometimes below that paid by fast-food restaurants — that turnover among such employees runs as high as 400 percent a year.
Officials estimate that 25,000 to 30,000 employees are required to examine luggage at the nation’s airports.
Reach contributing writer Philip Newman by e-mail at Timesledgr@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 136.
