Hiring procedures at TSA are under fire

CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) - Hiring procedures for the Transportation Security Administration are coming under fire. This come less than a week after a drug trafficking bust at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport.

It may very well be an isolated case involving a TSA agent who had a clean record, but some are still sounding the alarm.

Senator Charles Schumer said, "This is one of those stories that just makes you scratch your head and wonder."

Senator Schumer is referring to last week's arrest of 43-year-old Minnetta Walker, a TSA Behavior Detection Officer who's accused of tipping off an alleged drug dealer that he's being watched, and even escorting him through security at Buffalo Niagara International Airport. Senator Schumer has sent a letter to the head of the TSA demanding some answers.

"How did it happen? How often is it happening in other places? What is the screening for TSA agents? These are questions that leap out," wondered Senator Schumer.

A union leader for current TSA agents believes part of the problem is that a private contractor was brought in to hire these federal workers as the TSA was created shortly after September 11th, 2001.

TSA union leader Ron Moore said, "The rush to bring people in. These contractors are paid to hire people, they're not paid to catch every little detail and they were very sloppy and they didn't do a very good job, frankly."

Senator Schumer questioned, "What if a TSA agent were in cahoots with a terrorist? And we have had terrorists crossing our border with Canada in the Buffalo area."

A TSA spokesperson responded to this saying that all TSA employees are subject to extensive background and criminal history checks, and that the TSA moves swiftly and decisively to end the federal careers of those who break the law.