Skinner Announces Steps to Increase Travel Security

Transportation Secretary Samuel K. Skinner announced a series of actions Thursday aimed at enhancing travel security against terrorism, including the creation of an Office of Intelligence and Security.

Skinner also called for airlines to use more-sensitive X-ray machines and to match all checked luggage to passengers on international flights.

The actions stem in part from recommendations made by the presidential Commission on Aviation Security and Terrorism.

“I want our organizational framework to reflect the fact that aviation and maritime security is a top priority of this department,” Skinner said.

Skinner announced his intention to create the Office of Intelligence and Security within his immediate office.

The new office will coordinate security policies and strategies and share technical expertise among the different modes of transportation. Skinner named Coast Guard Vice Adm. Clyde Robbins to serve as director of the office.

The government has been studying ways to upgrade security against terrorism since a Pan American World Airways jet was bombed over Scotland in December, 1988, killing 170 people.

“Taken together, these initiatives represent building blocks in a system that will justify even higher levels of passenger confidence in the safety of air travel, already our safest mode of transportation by a wide measure,” Skinner said.

In a related development, Federal Aviation Administration head James B. Busey announced the creation of a new position of assistant administrator for civil aviation security. That person will report to Busey.