Just about everyone is looking for cheap airplane tickets and cheap vacation packages these days. However, they also want assurances that it is safe to fly. Unfortunately Presidents Obama latest nominee to head the TSA (Transportation Security Administration), Robert Harding, withdrew Friday pointing to congressmens questions about military contracts with a security company he founded in 01.
Harding is the second nominee in two months to drop out after being selected to head the TSA. The lack of a permanent head of this organization has raised concerns whether TSA will be able to initiate new security policies necessary to keep U.S. airplanes safe. TSA has been without a Senate confirmed boss since Obama took office.
The International Air Transport Association has expressed concern that the longer TSA goes without having a permanent leader in charge that momentum will be lost in making reforms needed to ensure passenger safety.
The most recent TSA chief, Kip Hawley, appointed in 05 was responsible for the following changes:
Overturned the ban on passengers carrying small scissors, tools and lighters on planes. This was done so that screeners would focus more of trying to find bombs hidden in baggage which was viewed as a much greater threat than the objects previously banned.
Initiated a program training screeners to identify travelers in airports who appear suspicious and subject them to additional screening. Over 3,000 screeners have been given this training.
Enhanced screeners workplace conditions which has reduced turnover and job related injuries.
Obamas most recent nominee had told Congress that he wanted to move rapidly to transform US airport security by having screeners interact more with passengers and wanted to move our security approach to more closely resemble Israelis model.
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