Ticket tax to pay for security screening

US President George Bush has committed to sign compromise aviation security legislation agreed by the US House and Senate to make all airport checkpoint screeners federal government employees within two years. The bill will establish a 28,000-strong federal workforce to man checkpoints, with a one-year transition period during which the government will take control of passenger and baggage screening. The US Department of Transportation will be in charge of aviation security and the measures will be paid for with a $2.50 ticket tax surcharge.

Source: Flight International