Security tech still needs trained people

WASHINGTON, Oct. 11 (UPI) -- Witnesses before a House committee Thursday differed on which new, more sensitive scanning technology would best offer increased security at U.S. airports, but agreed on one thing: trained, competent employees are key to any security effort.

The House Transportation Aviation Subcommittee held a hearing to investigate what new technologies are available, as well as the Federal Aviation Administration's deployment of such systems. Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., the committee chairman, said the small knives and box cutters used by the Sept. 11 terrorists would have passed FAA screening even if they were detected.

"With 1970s screening technology that has limited detection and definition, we could employ people with PhDs in criminal justice and still have a failed airport screening operation," Mica said.

Witness testimony nevertheless focused on the quality of people operating the security technology. Ralph Sheridan, president of X-ray machine vendor American Science and Engineering, said attempts to completely automate the screening process are misguided -- human intervention will always be needed.

Several legislators, including Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Ill., repeated calls for making airport screener positions a government job. "I don't know how we expect the FBI and CIA to share intelligence or terrorist watch lists with contract employees," Costello said.

One step in marrying better technology and better employees involves a computer program called Threat Image Projection. The software randomly inserts false X-ray images of weapons, or even entire pieces of luggage, onto an employee's viewscreen, providing on-the-job training and easy performance evaluation. Both X-ray machine vendors and legislators agreed TIP use is essential in helping restore confidence in the U.S. air travel system.

Much of the technical discussions focused on currently used Computed Tomography X-ray machines and more advanced backscatter X-ray machines. CTX machines take several X-ray "slices" of luggage to create a three-dimensional view of the bag's interior. Computer software examines the view to detect weapons or explosives.

Backscatter machines, such as those made by Sheridan's company, measure the different amounts of energy reflected off a bag's contents to create an image, which is also scanned for weapons. Sheridan testified the process is highly effective in spotting dangerous items, and is used by the U.S. Air Force and the Secret Service.

Frederick Muntz, vice president of CTX maker InVision, told the committee his company has produced improved machines, but airport security checkpoints must be prepared beforehand, slowing their deployment. Joseph Paresi, president of L-Three Communications' Security Systems Division, testified L-Three's version of CTX was faster and more reliable, but needed FAA assistance in letting airlines know about the new machines. Kenneth Mead, inspector general for the U.S. Department of Transportation, told the committee questions remain about the L-Three machines' reliability.

Committee members queried FAA Administrator Jane Garvey on why several CTX machines were sitting in warehouses. Garvey testified the machines needed to remain in a secure location until airports were ready to receive them, and that the agency expects all the new machines to be installed within 90 days.

Prior to Sept. 11, CTX machines were used on a small fraction of baggage, selected either at random or because of unusual characteristics of a passenger. The FAA ordered airlines to use their CTX machines continuously following the attacks, Mead testified, but the airlines weren't complying. Garvey said the FAA was stepping up enforcement of the new rules.