Security workers on duty at airport

Security agents with the Transportation Security Administration began working at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport Monday.

The TSA screeners currently manning the airport are temporary, airport manager Bruce Loy said.

There will eventually be six permanent part-time TSA agents at the Cape Girardeau airport, Loy said.

However, three of the six have already quit because the positions are part time.

The other three are training in St. Louis and will be coming to Cape Girardeau some time next week, Loy said.

The agents are part of a federal mandate which says that baggage screeners must be in place at all United States airports by Nov. 19 and that all checked baggage must be screened for explosives by Dec. 31.

The TSA was created last November when President Bush signed legislation aimed at making air travel safer. It made baggage handlers and security agents federal employees.

Loy said he didn't know the specific wages of the screeners. However, he said full-time screeners, who have been employed at larger airports, start out at $23,000 per year.

He said the supervisor will make $19 per hour, but can work no more than 32 hours per week. The lead screener will make $17 per hour, but, like the rest of the screeners will be able to work no more than 24 hours per week.