11/02/12, 01:26:27 EST

  e-mail this article

TSA Chief Says Airline Industry Still A Terror Risk

wcsh6.com

Six years after 9/11 and more than three years after the 9/11 Commission urged an immediate crackdown, the Transportation Security Administration admitted Tuesday that much-needed anti-terrorism measures are still not in place.

Congress required TSA to beef up security and some members were upset Tuesday to find out that key programs are far behind schedule.

Experts agree: al Qaeda is still targeting U.S. air travel. But the TSA has still not found a reliable way to check passengers for explosives.

Body scanners aren't yet widely deployed, because of privacy concerns. And a shoe scanner, made by NBC's parent company G.E., flunked its tests.

On Tuesday, a house committee was told bomb detection may have to wait 'til 2010.

Cathleen Berrick of the General Accountability Office said, ?The extensive deployment of new technologies at the checkpoint will not be realized for another two years.

High tech gear to secure airport perimeters is still not online. The head of the TSA pled guilty.

Criticism was; hey, you've tested this stuff, but not widely deployed and I would agree that more can be done,? said Transportation Security Administration chief Kip Hawley

It's the same for repair shops in nations like Singapore and Egypt, where some U.S. airlines send their planes for service.

In 2004, Congress required a plan to guard against sabotage.

?The regulation is working it's way through the process,? said Hawley.

?What I can't figure out is why there is no sense of urgency? said Senate Committee member Claire McCaskill.

Former 9/11 commission member Tim Roemer agrees.

These are things we should have done years ago, not that we should be scratching our heads saying we're still a day late and a dollar short, 6 years after 9/11.? said Roemer.

But the "secure-flight" program, to spot suspected terrorists on airline passenger lists and the "TWIC" program, to identify transportation workers, are also delayed, long after TSA promised they'd be operational.

All told Congress was told Tuesday that the TSA has done about 70% of what it needs to do prevent terrorists from striking again.

 Printable Version  | published Oct 17, 2007