Travel Security Update January 2005.

Republican proposes turning screening over to private companies. Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., wants to eliminate government airport screeners and turn screening over to private companies. Mica is the chairman of the House aviation subcommittee and is drafting a bill that would end the TSA's screening responsibilities. Some Democrats oppose the proposal.

Jan 31, 2005

Two lawmakers ask TSA to investigate Internet sales of pilot uniforms. Two U.S. senators say the sale of commercial pilot uniforms through online sources could threaten homeland security and have asked the TSA to investigate. An investigation by Chicago's CLTV showed a consumer was able to buy uniforms on the Internet without proving he worked for an airline.

Jan 31, 2005

Some question, others defend large cost of inaugural security . Some government officials and security analysts say the tens of millions of dollars spent on security for the inauguration was unjustified. However, Homeland Security officials say they had no choice but to plan for the worst-case scenario. They also say there are some long-term benefits to the excessive security; for example, law enforcement officials from different agencies learned to work together.

Jan 30, 2005

TSA considers optional toll program to speed airport security checks. The TSA is considering a program that would allow passengers to pay a fee in exchange for getting through airport security checkpoints faster. An Orlando, Fla., pilot project would be open to all travelers. The fee of up to $100 a year will cover the extensive technology used in the program.

Jan 30, 2005

Bush seeks higher airline security fees. A tax imposed after 9/11 and charged to airline passengers to help pay for airport security would more than double under President Bush's spending proposal for the Department of Homeland Security, according to portions of the department's budget obtained yesterday by The Associated Press. Under the proposal, the security tax, which is collected by the airlines from their customers, would climb from $2.50 to $5.50 per flight segment. The increase would generate $1.5 billion.

Jan 27, 2005

Chicago Midway to install sliding-door security system. Chicago's Midway Airport will install a sliding glass door security system to prevent mass evacuations during emergencies. Passengers would instead be contained in the food court and security checkpoint areas. The $500,000 system will be funded by a TSA grant.

Jan 27, 2005

US Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta, as expected, announced new measures designed to alert and better prepare pilots to handle incidents of lasers being shone at their aircraft and to speed notification about such crimes to law enforcement agencies. The measures were announced because of a recent spike in the number of such incidents. According to DOT, 31 laser incidents involving aircraft have been reported since Dec. 23, seven in the past weekend alone. Since 1990, more than 400 similar incidents have occurred. Mineta said there has been no credible or specific intelligence that would indicate the activities are connected to terrorists, as some have suggested. The new measures recommend that pilots immediately report any unauthorized laser events to air traffic controllers. FAA personnel will notify appropriate law enforcement and security agencies of the reports through the Domestic Events Network. The measures also include requirements that controllers immediately notify other aircraft about the laser events.

Jan 13, 2005

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