TOPICS
TOPICS
TSA hires firm to evaluate private airport screeners
A Washington-based consulting firm will evaluate the performance of private screening companies working at five selected airports under a contract awarded by the Transportation Security Administration, a spokesman said Friday.
The company - Bearing Point - will first come up with the criteria for the comprehensive study, said a TSA spokesman.
The five airports using private screeners are part of a pilot program called for in the aviation security bill that federalized screeners after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
The study would help airports and others make informed decisions about the program, the spokesman said. Calls to Bearing Point for comment were not immediately returned.
The McLean,Va.-based consulting firm serves companies as well as government agencies and other organizations.
COMMENTS
- Putting a contract out to evaluate if a contractor can do a job as well a government employee is like throwing the fox into the hen house. Anyone with half a brain already knows the outcome. Don't insult my intelligence. Charles Reese USCEC Lock and Dam Operator charles reese Posted October 16, 2003 9:48 PM
- It's because government workers hold no credibility. If you're doing the work under the name of some firm, you must have some superior knowledge. I mean really, why not hire someone to spend time learning the mission, interviewing those who know the mission, and then briefing/reporting exactly what the government workers already know? Get out the checkbook.
GovExec.com reader Posted October 15, 2003 2:29 PM - We've had many years to evaluate private screeners at airports. I, for one, remember many less than glowing reports. I can still see the screeners past, sitting down or barely moving, as I walked through airport gates. Language skills were an issue for many of them. Some had that "What am I doing here?" look in their eyes. The government screeners on the other hand are hard working, professional and competent. Thus, we are all safer as a result. The final report on private screeners arrived on 9-11. It highlighted the utter failure of an important security system, undermined by profit motives. The awful tragedy that occurred forced us to re-evaluate the process and deploy more competent individuals, who need not answer to the coporate bottom line. Can we move on now? GovExec.com reader Posted October 15, 2003 1:13 PM
