Access Control
& Security Systems

One of the first airport security deadlines mandated by the Federal government -- that airports deploy federal screeners and upgraded systems to check all passengers -- came to pass today. It appears the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has managed to meet the goal.

The newly trained, 47,000-plus federal security screening force has begun working at 424 airports across the country.

"TSA has defied the critics who said that we could not meet the Nov. 19 deadline," said Department of Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta at a Monday press conference. "Today every checkpoint at every airport is staffed by the best-trained, most consistently professional screening force in aviation history."

Mandates included high standards for security screeners that ranged from education to passing background checks and then 44 hours of classroom and 60 hours of on-the-job training.

Want more on the TSA? Be on the lookout for our newest sister publication, TRANSPORTATION SECURITY -- coming out later this month.

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