By Suzanne Sprague
DFW Airport – Suzanne Sprague, KERA 90.1 Reporter: Congressman Joe Barton formed a DFW security task force with federal and airport officials more than a year ago, in the wake of widespread drug-smuggling arrests at the Miami airport. Now, Barton says Congress should form its own task force on airport security and consider the local task force's recommendations. The report contains several ideas already under discussion, including more extensive background checks on potential airport workers.
Joe Barton, U.S. Representative, Texas District 6: If you had a certain type of felony conviction. If you had been convicted of treason against the United States of America. Certainly for drug purposes, if you had certain drug convictions on your background, those would preclude you from being hired. Sprague: Even current employees, like American Airlines mechanic Keith Stewart, who served on the task force, would be subject to these background checks.
Keith Stewart, Mechanic, American Airlines: Well, it's an inconvenience, but our people are going to do it. Our people don't want to have criminals with us any more than you folks do in the workforce.
Sprague: But Barton was forced to admit these rules probably wouldn't have prevented Tuesday's attacks. So, he advocated going one step further, saying airports and airlines may need to screen out job applicants who match the profiles of known terrorists.
Barton: You obviously have a civil liberties issue there, but when you have the capability for terrorists that want to disrupt every American's life, I think that in certain cases - and this is one of those - we can accept a little bit more discretion on our law enforcement officials to do some profiling. I am very supportive of that.
Sprague: Barton also advocates federal funding for stepped-up security at airport checkpoints, but he doesn't want the government to be in charge of it.
Barton: At a time like this, I am very supportive of providing the U.S. Marshals and uniformed agents to assist the local security personnel. I'm very willing to help pay for the routine security personnel. I am not yet convinced that it is in the best interests to have a totally federal program.
Sprague: But DFW officials, including Board Chairman Thomas Dunning, are convinced.
Thomas Dunning, Chairman, DFW Airport Board: One of the few areas where we have some disagreement with the Congressman is DFW Airport would like to see it uniform throughout the country. We have said that we would support having federal agents or federal marshals take over the security checkpoints at DFW International Airport.
Sprague: DFW officials have published their own list of security recommendations this week, including fully federalized airport security. But reports are coming from many directions, including the Transportation Department's task forces on airport and airline security appointed earlier this week. For KERA 90.1, I'm Suzanne Sprague.