FAA chief says agency will review security of charter flights

The Federal Aviation Administration will consider screening passengers and providing new security for privately chartered airline flights, FAA Administrator Jane Garvey told a Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee Tuesday.

Garvey, who is leaving her post this August after five years, told Sen. Herb Kohl, D-Wis., she will take up requests for security checks for passengers and crews of charters with Transportation Department officials and get back to him in a day or two.

Kohl, during a hearing on the FAA budget, said someone could charter a Boeing 747, take on passengers without any security checks and use the plane as a weapon. Garvey said the FAA has focused on the situation, and said she would take it up with Transportation Department officials.

Unsatisfied, Kohl said screening and other security checks "could be done today," adding there is no greater security today involving private aircraft than there was before Sept. 11, and that there was none then. Kohl then asked Garvey to take action and report back in a day or two. "Yes sir," she replied.

Agreeing with Kohl was Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, R-Colo., who stated that the "biggest weakness" in air security was the situation involving private aircraft. "There's a real need there," he said.

Although senators praised Garvey for her performance, she came under fire for some budget policy matters. Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee Chairwoman Patty Murray, D-Wash., criticized the administration for seeking $100 million to protect FAA air traffic facilities by diverting funds from airport and equipment improvement programs. Murray called it "misguided," and said the $100 million should come from an emergency, separate appropriation.

Similarly, Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee ranking member Richard Shelby, R-Ala., hit the FAA for awarding six of nine large contracts with more than $1.25 billion on a non-competitive basis.