Security Screener Standards Fundamental to Air Safety

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Jan. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- The Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced a relaxation of a provision requiring high school diplomas for security personnel who screen passengers and luggage. The National Association of Security Companies (NASCO) is greatly concerned by this. ``We welcomed federal oversight of the passenger screening industry,'' said Rick Massimei, Chairman of NASCO, ``because it linked the related issues of higher pay and more stringent selection standards. This change makes us wonder what's next in the relaxation of standards.''

On December 31st, President Bush spoke in Crawford, Texas saying, ``Americans realize that we live in a new culture after 9/11 and we must remain vigilant.'' Relaxing personnel standards will not allow us to remain vigilant. Isaac Yeffet, former director of general security for Israel's El AL Airlines, currently a private security consultant in the U.S., also emphasized the need for high standards in a recent statement, saying, ``What we really need are people who understand how terrorists work, who can spot a false passport, (and) who can ask the right questions of the right people.''

The National Association of Security Companies (NASCO) is an industry trade association that was founded in 1972. It represents the interests of businesses engaged in providing professional security services to commercial, industrial and government organizations in the United States. Member companies actively promote high standards in the industry. NASCO members include:

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