The head of the Transportation Security Administration says a proposed passenger surcharge will raise $400 million for modernizing airport security, even as critics faulted the modernization efforts. TSA Administrator Kip Hawley told the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee on Tuesday the four-year, 50-cents-per-flight fee would pay for explosives detectors that would eventually screen all baggage checked on commercial airliners.But the surcharge drew opposition from lawmakers, particularly Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, who complained that many Alaska residents take frequent, multileg flights to get around their state. The fee is capped at $1 per day — exempting passengers who take more than two flights daily — but Stevens said it could have an economic impact on his state.Source: Federaltimes.com; full article here>>.
