57,500 Wanted for Air Security
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WASHINGTON — The Transportation Security Administration wants to hire 57,500 employees to screen airline flights.
In a report to Congress, the new agency said Monday it needs 30,000 workers to staff airport checkpoints and screen passengers and another 27,500 to inspect checked luggage for explosives.
The 57,500 employees do not include armed air marshals on airplanes or a federal police force to be deployed at airport checkpoints.
Under the law passed after the Sept. 11 attacks, federal employees are to replace private security screeners at all 429 commercial airports by Nov. 19. All checked luggage is supposed to be screened by machine for explosives by Dec. 31.
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