TSA is advertising for a full-time, permanent federal security director at the Newark airport. Applications will be accepted through July 21, but my money says even if Kip himself applies, PR hack Mark Hatfield will get the job.

But to be fair, let's discuss the kind of job Hatfield has done as "interim FSD." Let's take a look at how things have improved at Newark.

Comments?

I gotta tell ya, my expectations were very low for Hatfield. He's a senator's son, which is a couple of strikes against him right there (looks like nepotism!), and he was a total ... as TSA spokesperson. Having said that, the reality is that EWR is definitely much improved since he took over. I go through there about once a week and cannot help but notice the positive changes:

1. Barking is practically nonexistent.
2. They no longer use contract employees to assist with the actual screening. They used to be barkers and bag loaders, and they were incompetent to the max.
3. They have become more reasonable on shoes and no longer demand "all shoes off."
4. They have started rotating people among the terminals, which is helpful. Some of the old crews had become too cozy and tolerated passenger abuse. No more.
5. There is a lot of new construction at the checkpoints, particularly at Terminal A (United). This is helpful, too.

I would give Hatfield the job permanently. ^

Bruce