By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – Criticism continues of a recent decision by the Transportation Security Administrator to eliminate the jobs of 69 baggage screeners at Buffalo Niagara International Airport.
While the job cuts would not compromise security, officials admit there could be longer lines and slower checkpoint processing, especially at peak times. US Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton tells WBFO News the cutbacks don't make sense.
"I think anyone who looks at the Buffalo Niagara area knows that we are at a critical geographic point," Clinton said. "I don't see how we can justify cutting that many screeners.
"Certainly, if we don't need these people for baggage screening, there are a lot of other security issues that need to be attended to when it comes to the airport."
Over the weekend, Congressman Jack Quinn said reclassifying Buffalo Niagara as a "Category One" airport could save the jobs of the baggage screeners. Under FAA guidelines, Quinn says the airport appears to exceed the number of yearly departures to qualify for "Category One" status.