Opinion
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05.01.03
TSA PLAN TO REDUCE AIRPORT SECURITY
This morning I woke up to two things that I was not expecting; cool
gloomy weather and Pat Kiernan on NY1 News breaking a story that the
TSA have decided to cut airport security! Neither of these made me
happy.
Cut airport security? Has someone lost their marbles?
The cuts which total 6000 jobs or 11% of airport security is absurd.
Can someone explain to me why this is to be, without using the
words; money, fiscal, financial and budget?. I doubt it. Once again
it’s about money. Not lives and protection, but money! To quote
the
New York
Times;
James Loy, the agency's director, said most of the cuts would come
through attrition, but some workers would be let go for performance
reasons. Loy said the work force reduction would yield a budget
savings of $280 million.
Since September 11th the Federal Government was quick
enough to blame airport security that allowed armed people to board
planes and cause the carnage they did. They were quick enough the
following February to install federal airport security personnel,
but now they are taking it away. According to the New York Times the
larger airports can be cut back as much as 40%.
Recently my Mom and Dad came over to visit me. I was so glad to see
that the airport was swarming with police, National Guards and TSA
personnel. At one instance I saw a man leave a box outside the
terminal. I hailed down two national guards who immediately came
over and called in four other guards.
They moved me from the area and inside the terminal I saw the man. I
told him he may have forgotten a box and he ran outside. He saw the
guards who told him to be more careful. Never did they berate or
belittle him . What a great way they handled this situation! They
stayed calm and stopped anything escalating into anything bigger
than simple forgetfulness. They also thanked me for being vigilant
and they rely on people keeping a watchful eye. What happens
when they are gone?
As my folks went through security I felt safe for them as their
coats, shoes and carry-on luggage was thoroughly checked by the
machine and in some cases by hand. As I waved goodbye I knew they
would be safe. Oh, they left from Newark Liberty. Need I say more?
Let’s fast forward to the end of the year when there are not
enough security personnel, when flights are getting more jammed with
holiday travel, with tempers becoming frayed. Think about less
security? Think about it carefully? Can you picture it?
September 11th did not stop me flying. I have to say I
find myself looking at everyone, looking around me and more
vigilant. Why should it be that way? I wholeheartedly put my faith
in the pilots without problem. So why can’t I feel the same way
about getting on the plane?
This website is focused on what has happened to injured people from
9/11, and the rules and regulations that determines if a person is
eligible for compensation from the VCF. I realize that these are two
different Federal departments, but they still come under the Federal
umbrella. They are telling me that my injuries and loss of income
does not matter, and now to add insult to injury, my airport
security does not matter! Does this make sense to you? Is sure
does not to me.
Cut essential services at home because of a lack of cash? I have to
ask the burning question, where did the money go? Overseas?
Related Articles:
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national
http://www.tsa.gov/public
-DRS
