Report: Airport screening not any better
Follow-up investigation urges technology to boost safety
From Jeanne Meserve and Mike M. Ahlers
CNN Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Nearly two years after internal investigators said they were able to smuggle knives, guns and fake bombs past airport screeners, investigators Tuesday said follow-up tests indicate a "lack of improvement."
In a report released Tuesday, the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General said airport screeners were hard-working but it found results comparable to earlier tests.
The solution, the report said, resides in technology.
"Despite the fact that the majority of screeners with whom our testers came in contact were diligent in the performance of their duties and conscious of the responsibility those duties carry, the lack of improvement since our last audit indicates that significant improvement in performance may not be possible without greater use of new technology," the report said.
The Office of Inspector General's report does not specify which airports were tested or how many weapons or "threat objects" were able to get past screeners. Congress received a classified version of the report last week.
The Office of Inspector General said it conducted tests between November 29 and February 4. During that time, two five-person teams held hundreds of screenings at checkpoints and checked baggage tests at airports of different sizes, the office said.
The Transportation Security Administration agrees that better technology is needed.
"We are pleased that they recognize the dedication and expertise of the screeners, and we agree with their conclusion that significant improvements will depend on improvements in technology, though we will seek incremental gains through training and testing and management practices," said spokesman Mark Hatfield.
Hatfield noted $30 million has been allocated for the purchase and installment of 147 explosive trace portal machines for the 40 busiest airports in the country. Fourteen portals are already in place.
He also said that $174 million is in the fiscal 2005 budget for research and development of new technology.
"The TSA has just entered into negotiations with two companies to deliver two prototype Backscatter scanning devices that TSA should have in field testing this year," he said, referring to technology that creates photolike X-ray images.
The organization also is looking at multiple-view X-ray machines for carry-on baggage, an official said.
