X-ray screeners often ineffective. USA Today: 7/31/00

By Gary Stoller

USA Today: 7/31/00

Airline employees may not always ask the right questions about bags, but security experts worry more about those who staff airport metal detectors and X-ray machines to check bags for dangerous items.

Government studies have shown that the screeners who examine carry-on and checked bags are often ineffective.

''Long-standing problems combine to reduce screeners' effectiveness in detecting dangerous objects,'' according to the General Accounting Office in a recent security report. The problems, the GAO says, include rapid turnover of screener personnel -- ''often above 100% a year at large airports and, in at least once recent instance, above 400% a year.'' Turnover results from screeners earning minimum wage or less.

Screeners also fail to detect dangerous objects, the GAO says, because they may not be alert and lack adequate training.

FAA officials agree that airlines and the security companies they hire don't pay enough to retain top workers. The FAA hopes to institute by May a final rule that would allow it to regulate the security companies.