Looks like Bush is planning another 9/11. First step would be to cut airport screeners.
Of course, a close reading of the quoted link indicates that it might be more of an efficiency move than the beginning of a new potential whacked out conspiracy.
There are 55,000 full and part-time screeners at more than 420 U.S. airports. Congress has sought to limit the screener work force to less than 50,000.
"While we still live in a dangerous world, it also is time to assess our workplace requirements in relation to budget realities," Loy told reporters at a news conference.
"This means looking at the level of screener staffing at every airport, how many are part-time, how many are full-time and whether they are on duty at the right time, when passenger traffic is heaviest," Loy said.
The cuts will be accomplished in two phases - 3,000 by May 31 and another 3,000 by Sept. 30, the end of the government's 2003 fiscal year.
Loy said the TSA would evaluate its entire passenger and baggage screening force. Some qualified employees at larger, well-staffed airports will be encouraged to transfer to facilities with personnel shortages. TSA will offer partial relocation assistance.
The federal government overhauled passenger and baggage screening at U.S. airports in response to the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington, D.C., creating a federal work force to replace private screening companies that contracted with airlines. |
