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The Transportation Security Administration may need a larger staff to conduct more rigorous inspections of small private planes, lawmakers said Wednesday.

Small private planes and similar types of aircraft in the general aviation community should undergo approximately the same security checks as commercial airliners, Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., said at a Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing. About three-quarters of flights within the United States fall into the general aviation category, he said.

"We're not taking the lessons of 9/11 seriously," Rockefeller said. "There is nothing written... that small planes can't do catastrophic damage."

Rockefeller used the example of former New York Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle, who in October 2006 was killed when his small plane drifted off-course and hit a Manhattan high-rise, to remind TSA chief Kip Hawley that even single-engine planes can cause significant damage. Rockefeller suggested that the agency bolster its staff so it can devote more resources to general aviation.

Hawley responded that TSA is "looking at steps" to improve its general aviation tactics. He said "a more robust plan" is on the way.

Other lawmakers said the agency needs a larger staff to handle a continuing increase in air travel.

Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., said TSA has had recurring staffing problems. High turnover rates have contributed to delays at New Jersey's Newark Liberty Airport, he said.

Hawley acknowledged that TSA has experienced higher turnover of part-time employees than he would like. That rate was 38.6 percent for fiscal 2006, compared to a rate of about 16 percent for full-time workers. High turnover amounts to a "bad deal," Hawley said, because the agency spends thousands of dollars to train workers who leave shortly after starting their jobs.

Worker safety is another priority for TSA, Hawley said. Last year, lawmakers criticized the agency for having the highest injury rate of any federal agency.

Hawley also expressed his displeasure at legislation passed last week by the House granting TSA employees collective bargaining rights.

In a brief written statement submitted for the record, Hawley said TSA's "personnel management authorities established in the Aviation and Transportation Security Act... permit TSA to flexibly manage and deploy its workforce, including its [transportation security officers]." He stated the agency strongly opposes "any legislative proposal that would diminish the authority that this committee gave to us in ATSA."

COMMENTS

• Wrong badge? As a gratefully retired inspector from the defunct Customs Service, I had the opportunity to personally work in the private aircraft screening program at a large East Coast airport. TSA has no business here, as the aircraft/passengers in question are coming (for the most part) into the CONUS, and thus fall under the jurisdiction of CBP! TSA is a distinct improvement over the airline-hired "square badges" of the past, but it has its problems, and doesn't need to be involved with this issue. GovExec.com reader Posted January 29, 2007 5:57 PM
• There are certain elements within TSA who are trying to expand their authority (for example, TSA criminal investigators, who are seeking more power by expanding the scope of their authority to trains, ports, and even private aircraft, because they find their limited role at the airports too restrictive). It's all about empire building, and the more information and power you have, the bigger player you are! GovExec.com reader Posted January 26, 2007 2:06 PM
• Since when did it become incumbent upon TSA to regulate privately-owned civilian aircraft? Besides, they haven't been able to perform that exemplary a job concerning commercial aviation so where is the expectation they will perform any better at this level. I echo the sentiments of the previous writer in that, just what is it TSA is trying to find? GovExec.com reader Posted January 24, 2007 10:29 AM