Sen. Lautenberg: More Training For TSA Agents After Newark Security Breach
NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork)— Senator Frank Lautenberg is demanding more effective security enforcement by the Transportation Security Administration following Sunday's security breach at Newark Liberty International Airport.
TSA officials said that a woman was able to evade a second security check after her first pass through the safety checkpoint set off re-screening alerts, WCBS 880's Levon Putney reported.
WCBS 880's Levon Putney Reports
Podcast
She then proceeded to catch her Cleveland-bound flight, triggering a security breach that caused the closure of an entire terminal for hours.
Lautenberg, who serves as the vice chair of the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, said such security breaches are unacceptable.
"They look minor if they come out alright, but it would be a terrible thing if someone bent on damage to an airplane got through," Sen. Lautenberg said.
The senator said he spoke with John Pistole, the director of the TSA, in an effort to promote more effective security practices. He said the director agreed to increase training for TSA agents and will consider a possible managerial shakeup within airport security.
Despite recent security breaches, the senator said he is confident the TSA can keep air travelers safe and that he is committed "to make certain that these things don't happen."
(TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
Do you feel airport security is effective? Leave your comments below...
