Logan Airport shortchanged on federal security help

[Ian David]

Logan: How low can you go? Concerned lawmakers urge beefed-up security staff
By Dave Wedge and Casey Ross
Tuesday, November 15, 2005 - Updated: 01:07 AM EST


Four years after the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks and just days before the busy holiday travel season, Logan International Airport is down more than 100 baggage screeners, prompting concerned calls for answers from Massachusetts lawmakers in Washington.
Logan: How low can you go? Concerned lawmakers urge beefed-up security staff
By Dave Wedge and Casey Ross
Tuesday, November 15, 2005 - Updated: 01:07 AM EST


While federal transportation officials have told Congress that Logan needs 856 full-time screeners, there are currently just 740 on the job. The lower-than-recommended levels led Sens. Edward M. Kennedy and John F. Kerry and the Bay State’s nine representatives to fire off a letter to Homeland Security czar Michael Chertoff demanding answers.

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Markey blasted federal officials for not ensuring that Logan is up to the recommended staffing levels, especially since two of the hijacked airliners that slammed into the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, came out of Boston.

“It’s all part of this pattern where the Bush administration has been nickel-and-diming Homeland Security and writing a blank check for the war in Iraq,” Markey said. “We in Boston really know the consequences. The terrorists were here.”

More:
http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=112214