Sioux Falls Regional Airport opts out of federal screening system

Airline Industry Information, July 28, 2005

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

The federal screeners at Sioux Falls Regional Airport are to be replaced by privately employed workers.

The South Dakota airport will try something other than the government model, according to the airport director Mike Marnach. Marnach also said that the model is OK, but not necessarily the most efficient for taxpayers. The change is the first allowed after the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks, The Associated Press reported.

According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), five airports are already using private screeners while the airport in Elko, Nevada has also applied to opt out of the federal screening system. Airports that opt out of the federal system are not allowed to choose the company that approves the screening, as it will be selected by the TSA from a list of approved firms.

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