U.S. May Oust Security Firm From Airports

The government is trying to put troubled Argenbright Security Inc. out of the security business at U.S. airports.

The Federal Aviation Administration is seeking bids from other security companies to take over Argenbright’s airline security operations.

Argenbright has 40% of the market.

The FAA now oversees airline security, but that responsibility will shift to the new Transportation Security Administration on Sunday. The new agency also will supervise security screeners, a job now done by the airline industry.

By Nov. 19, about 30,000 federal employees, hired and trained by the TSA, will screen all passengers and luggage.

An Argenbright spokeswoman, Cynthia Faulkner, said the company was “ready to work with DOT and TSA and the aviation authorities during the transition period.”

Last week, Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta said the government would not sign any new contracts with Argenbright but that the company would continue its current operations.

Now the Transportation Department doesn’t want Argenbright to handle any airport security.