THOMPSON
AMENDMENT REQUIRES PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR BAGGAGE SCREENERS
Measure
Will Provide Accountability to Aviation Security Bill
Thursday, October 4,
2001
WASHINGTON
- U.S. Senator Fred Thompson (R-TN) has introduced an amendment to
the Aviation Security Act that will require the federal government
to set and enforce strict standards to
keep the flying public safe. The measure requires that
those responsible for airport security be held accountable for
meeting performance goals, from the head of the FAA to airport
screeners.
“We have to send a strong message that no longer will it be
business as usual when it comes to screening luggage at our
airports. We need make sure that the screening workforce and their
managers will be held accountable,” Thompson said. “One of the
ways we can restore confidence in airline travel is by letting the
American people know that strict screening standards are in place,
and are being met.”
Thompson noted the General Accounting Office has reported that
average detection rates at airports throughout the country have
decreased from about 95% in 1993 to 85% in 1999.
“Clearly, airport security operations have not been held
accountable for their performance in the past,” he said.
“There has been no carrot, and no stick. Now there will be.
Those who perform well will be rewarded, those who don’t will be
replaced. In addition, those in charge of overseeing this effort
will be required to report to Congress so we can monitor the
results.”
Thompson’s amendment requires the new head of aviation security
to:
C
Implement results-based management in airport security
operations, and;
C
Undertake certain human capital changes designed to
reinforce such management by holding employees - whether public or
private - accountable for meeting performance standards.
To encourage this results-based management, Thompson’s amendment
also does the following:
C
Establishes a term limit (three to five years) for the head
of aviation security, who may be reappointed if performance is
satisfactory;
C
Require annual performance agreements for head of aviation
security and each senior manager setting out organizational and
individual goals. Bonuses can be given for achievement of such
goals.
C
Establish an annual staff performance management system
that includes setting individual, group, and organizational
performance goals consistent with an annual performance plan.
The Thompson amendment also requires the new head of aviation
security to establish specific performance standards and provide
Congress with an action plan within 60 days to meet those levels;
and to establish a long-term process for reporting performance
results to Congress annually.
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