MINETA OUTLINES MISSION FOR TSA, SECURITY DIRECTORS

MINETA OUTLINES MISSION FOR TSA, SECURITY DIRECTORS    U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta promised that the Transportation Security Administration will select its first Federal Security Directors (FSDs) for some of the nation’s airports within a month.
   The new hires, who will serve as the ranking TSA authority for cargo, passenger and facility security at all of America’s commercial airports, will be screened by the hiring firm Korn/Ferry International in the process.
   Mineta, while addressing members of the Transportation Research Board in Washington, emphasized that the new FSDs are essential to all aspects of air cargo and airport security. “All of us here understand that we have entered a new era in transportation,” he said. “These FSDs are the strong front-line managers who will bring federal authority directly to the point of service, the airport.”
   Mineta said that the newly formed TSA will coordinate with other government agencies, including the White House, Congress, U.S. Customs Service, and other government agencies to ensure aviation security.
   At a DOT background briefing, senior administration officials said that the TSA, while intensifying its focus on air cargo security in the near future, will consult with the air cargo industry for additional support in that area. To that end, one official said “FedEx is likely to volunteer someone” to consult the TSA on issues surrounding air cargo security.
   A DOT official added that in this period of the war on terrorism, the DOT would operate under an umbrella of security, and that the agency would only disclose security details publicly as it sees fit. “It’s a security issue,” the official said. “Don’t expect us to be discussing details.”