Access Control
& Security Systems

President Bush signed a sweeping package of legislative changes regarding airports last week. Under the new law, the federal government will assume control of most airport security measures. Here is an in-depth look at what is expected to take place:

Short term changes:

1. Federal managers will rapidly take up positions at airport security points, the first step in the transition to a full federal work force for screening.

2. Criminal background checks will be conducted on some 750,000 airport employees.

3. More law enforcement officers will be present. A law enforcement officer is to be assigned to every screening station at larger airports.

4. Within 60 days airlines should start levying a $2.50-per-flight fee to help pay for security costs. The maximum payment for a one-way trip is $5.

5. Within 60 days airports are to screen all checked baggage with whatever means available, including X-ray machines and hand inspections.

6. More air marshals will be aboard flights.

7. Further steps will be taken to reinforce cockpit doors.

8. More passengers will be prescreened, with more cross-checking with FBI and other watch lists for suspicious passengers.

Long term changes:

1. A new Transportation Department agency will be put in place to oversee all transportation security matters.

2. Within one year all 28,000 airport baggage screeners will be federal workers. All airports, except for five pilot programs, will be under the federal system for three years, after which they can switch to other security systems.

3. By the end of 2002 all checked baggage is to be inspected with explosives detection machines.

4. Trusted passenger programs will be implemented, using new technologies to identify passengers and expedite screening.

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• More from April's issue