Editorial: Airline security is too lax

An international drug smuggling ring by American Airlines employees was broken up Wednesday.

An airline spokesman suggested this isn't a wake-up call since the airline already has security procedures in place, but the breadth of the smuggling operation shows a need for the government to investigate existing policies.

It was simply staggering when 50 American Airlines employees and contract workers at Miami International Airport were arrested Wednesday for allegedly operating an international smuggling ring, distributing drugs and weapons to other U.S. cities. There had been three instances since 1996 of American Airlines employees being arrested and indicted for drug smuggling, but the scope of the ring broken up Wednesday in Miami was far-reaching, involving baggage handlers, food contract workers, two U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service agents and a U.S. Customs inspector.

Federal prosecutors said airline employees hid drugs in food cars, garbage bags and carry-on luggage. They were able to gain access to secure areas just by showing their ID badges. Some of the more brazen ramp employees actually came to work on their days off and, while wearing their uniforms, were allowed to drive baggage vehicles to arriving international flights and unload the illegal drugs.

An American Airlines spokesman's comments about the smuggling ring were troubling. Chris Chiames dismissed suggestions that this should serve as a wake-up call, telling the New York Times that the airline already has surveillance and security programs in place. "We view these kind of incidents as proof that the programs work." This is proof that these programs work? Either Chiames is trying to put an incredible spin on this or the airline does not comprehend the gravity of the situation, especially since federal prosecutors believe the smuggling had been going on since 1996.

There are a number of safety issues involved also. As part of the sting operation, agents found it easy to get employees to smuggle guns and military explosives on planes. In addition, the way the drugs were smuggled posed airline safety hazards. For instance, a federal agent said some of the contraband was stored inside a plane's wheel bays, which could have placed pressure against cables and wires, jeopardizing a safe landing.

Smuggling isn't just an American Airlines phenomenon. Federal prosecutors in Miami also believe this is happening on other airlines and in other cities. The Federal Aviation Administration should investigate how many other airports and airlines have similar security lapses. Once determining the breadth of the problem, stricter security rules should be established -- and enforced -- for airline employees. This isn't just an issue of stemming the flow of drugs into this nation, it also is an issue of ensuring that airline safety is preserved.

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