Free Republic

A South Dakota airport intends to replace its federal screeners with private workers, the first change allowed since the government took over aviation security after the Sept. 11 attacks. Mike Marnach, director of the Sioux Falls Regional Airport, said it is time to try something other than the government model. "We like it, it's OK, but I'm not sure it's the most efficient for the taxpayer," Marnach said. The airport plans the switch in the fall. Five airports that already use private screeners under a pilot program will continue to do so, the Transportation Security Administration said Wednesday in announcing...

HOUSTON — When Bassam Khalaf raps, he's the Arabic Assassin. His unreleased CD, "Terror Alert," includes rhymes about flying a plane into a building and descriptions of himself as a "crazy, suicidal Arabic ... equipped with bombs." Until last week, Khalaf also worked as a baggage screener at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. "I've been screening your bags for the past six months, and you don't even know it," said Khalaf, who also said Thursday that he is not really a terrorist and that his rhymes are exaggerations meant to gain publicity. Andrea McCauley, a spokeswoman for the regional Transportation Security...