Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live At Daybreak

Congress Hammers Out Aviation Security Agreement

Aired November 16, 2001 - 05:41   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: President Bush could see a compromise airport security plan on his desk by the end of the day. Congressional leaders say they have hammered out an agreement that would raise the bar on airline safety.

CNN Congressional Correspondent Kate Snow now with details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KATE SNOW, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The compromise would overhaul security screening at the nation's airports. Private companies would be replaced, phased out in favor of federal employees, a priority for Democrats.

SENATOR TOM DASCHLE (D), MAJORITY LEADER: This is a big victory. It is a victory we've waited for for a long period of time, but I think it's a win-win. I think everybody wins here.

SNOW: Immediately after the president signs the bill, a year- long transition begins. Background checks for workers in secure areas, training for thousands of new security screeners. All of them must be U.S. citizens and speak fluent English.

In the short term, new federal standards mean current workers might be replaced by National Guard troops or other federal agents.

REPRESENTATIVE JOHN MICA (R), AVIATION SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIRMAN: There are some provisions, where it may require a replacement. If they can't meet the background checks, if they don't meet the citizenship requirements, and they don't meet the standards or testing, they will be gone. Both the employee and the company will be gone.

SNOW: To satisfy Republican concerns, five airports, of various sizes, would be chosen for experimental programs, using private security companies. Three years after the bill goes into effect, any airport could opt to switch to private contractors.

SENATOR TRENT LOTT (R), MINORITY LEADER: This is the key that I think brought about the final agreement. There will be an opportunity to opt out.

SNOW: But even the transportation secretary acknowledges it's unlikely many airports would choose to do that. NORMAN MINETA, TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY: There is a possibility that some airports would do that, but I'm not sure that there is an incentive for the airports to do that.

SNOW: The legislation also calls for air marshals on flights, stronger cockpit doors and cameras in the cockpits. Within 60 days, airports would have to start screening checked baggage, using machines that have been sitting idle, or find another way checking the bags by hand or with bomb-sniffing dogs.

(on camera): All of this new security won't come cheap. The airlines would kick in about $1 billion, and passengers would pick up much of the tab. A new fee on plane tickets, at least $2.50, at most $10.00 per round trip.

Kate Snow, CNN, Capitol Hill.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CALLAWAY: It will be very interesting to see how all of this plays out.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.