TSA to eliminate random security checks at Los Angeles and Long Beach airports

Airline Industry Information, Sept 25, 2002

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has launched a pilot programme to eliminate random security screening of passengers preparing to board flights.

Under the programme - being conducted at Los Angeles International Airport Terminal 4 in cooperation with American Airlines and at Long Beach Municipal Airport in cooperation with JetBlue Airways - federal workers will identify and screen all passengers at the main security checkpoint, and all passengers will have to obtain boarding passes before passing through security.

The move is expected to eliminate the random screening of passengers, which should not be required if sophisticated passenger and baggage screening procedures are implemented.

However, the executive director of the advocacy group Aviation Consumer Action Project is against the proposal as it eliminates an important layer of security, reported The Associated Press.

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