TSA federalizes Rota International Airport

Rota International Airport is now considered federalized after it was placed under the control of the Transportation Security Authority effective Monday this week. Small and remote, the island airport provides direct commercial airline service to Guam and Japan.

Authorities led by Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, TSA representatives, and Commonwealth Ports Authority officials took part in the TSA ceremony Monday at the airport.

“Rota airport, just like Saipan airport and other airports in the United States, is now federalized. It’s now under TSA,” said CPA acting deputy director Reno Celis yesterday. There are now over 450 airports with a federal TSA presence.

Celis said about 10 TSA people are currently assigned at the Rota airport.

Putting the airport under TSA means increased security and protection for the flying public, said Celis.

“When you go there, your baggage is checked like what they are doing here on Saipan. It’s much safer. You feel more confident as a passenger because everybody is screened,” said Celis.

Fitial himself expressed full support for the federalization of all CNMI airports, including Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.

“When it comes to aviation and security matters, I believe the entire CNMI is better off with TSA involvement and support,” he said. “I’m glad the Rota International Airport will have the full support of TSA, and I look forward to federal security oversight at our Tinian airport as well.”

EXPANSION PLANS

The Rota airport’s federalization came about after the completion of the Rota airport’s building reconstruction, which cost about $90,000. CPA said the 80 percent of the renovation cost was shouldered by TSA. This project included the expansion of the passenger departure area to allow for the needed screening equipment.

Based on initial plans, TSA will be hiring 16 officers to staff the Rota airport. TSOs receive 44 hours of classroom training and 60 hours of on-the-job training. In addition, they must meet minimum qualifications including: U.S. citizenship; high school degree, a GED or equivalent, or one year of security or aviation screening experience; English proficiency; and passing a background check.

The new TSA officers will reportedly be paid a starting salary of $11.30 per hour for a minimum of 28 hours per pay period with potential overtime. They will also receive a 25-percent cost of living adjustment on top of their hourly pay, plus federal benefits that include health insurance, life insurance, retirement, paid vacation and sick leave.

ADDED SECURITY

TSA-Saipan is headed by federal security director Rhonda Vickery, who also oversees security and screening operations in Rota.

“The threat to civil aviation on Rota is no less than anywhere on the U.S. mainland,” said Vickery. “Commercial service from Rota connects with mainstream airports and provides the TSA with another opportunity to do all we can to provide for the security of passengers.”

TSA has worked with local authorities for several months to ensure federal standards are met at the security checkpoint and around the airport.

“We’ve worked diligently to finally federalize the airport after a year and a half. We are also honored to have…Fitial, Rota Mayor Joseph Inos, Rep. Absalon Waki, Jr., [Commonwealth Ports Authority] vice chair Antonio Camacho and U.S. Attorney Lenny Rapadas make a speech on the importance of providing security of passengers,” said TSA customer support/liaison manager Viola Sablan.

Meantime, Celis said that Tinian International Airport would be under TSA as soon as the construction of its new terminal departure building is completed.

The Aviation and Transportation Security Act signed by President Bush on Nov. 19, 2001, mandated that TSA deploy federal passenger and baggage security officers to all commercial airports and that TSA screen all checked and carry-on luggage for explosives.