The Transportation Security Administration has removed two of the top supervisors at Newark Liberty International Airport.
Security operations at Newark in New Jersey have been a problem for several years, with screeners failing to find concealed weapons in tests.
In the shakeup, Mark Hatfield Jr., who was sent to Newark from TSA headquarters, replaces Marcus Arroyo as federal security director, The New York Times said. Russell White, supervisor of the inspectors at the airport, has also been relieved of his duties.
Hatfield, son of the former U.S. Sen. Mark Hatfield, R-Ore., has been given Arroyo's job temporarily. He told the Times he plans to apply to be made permanent.
Last year, the agency reduced the number of screeners by 15 percent. Hatfield told the Times that he plans to increase the percentage of part-timers, which is now 10 percent, to reduce overtime and to allow more flexibility in scheduling screeners when they are needed.
© Copyright 2006 by United Press International
