Screener Layoff May Mean Better Security

May 1 -- The expected layoffs of thousands of airport security screeners may not weaken security, but it could make for long, painful waits in airline boarding lines, experts say.

The Transportation Security Administration on Wednesday announced plans to lay off 6,000 of its 55,600 airport screeners nationwide — 3,000 by the end of this month and another 3,000 by September. The cutbacks, the TSA said, are designed to help airport security become more efficient, help the federal agency meet its budget and provide $2.3 billion to airlines to help them cover their security costs since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

"While we still live in a dangerous world, it also is time to assess our workplace requirements in relation to budget realities," Adm. James M. Loy, TSA administrator, said in a statement. "This means looking at the level of screener staffing at every airport, how many are part time, how many are full time, and whether they are on duty at the right time, when passenger traffic is heaviest."

Screeners at heavily staffed airports will be able to seek transfers to less-staffed airports, and some full-time staffers will start working part time. In addition, starting May 31, the TSA will no longer require law enforcement officials at every security checkpoint, and Loy said this will improve, not weaken, security.

Not Necessarily More Convenient

Loy said he felt confident the screeners will still be able to meet security goals while satisfying customer needs. Still, flying may not be any more convenient for travelers.

Passengers may still feel like their privacy is being invaded. A 10-minute wait limit for passengers is still the goal, but critics say that is unrealistic. The lines were long with an overstaffed work force and may only get longer with fewer screeners doing more work.

"You've seen the lines at the airports," said Mike Boyd, president of The Boyd Group/ASRC Inc., an aviation, research and forecasting company in Evergreen, Colo. "You just sit back now and watch [what will happen]."