Idaho Falls airport says worker screening is operating amid federal rule uncertainty

Airport Director Ian Turner gave a brief update on aviation worker screening at Idaho Falls Regional Airport, saying equipment procured for the program has worked well and that most aviation worker positions are filled.

Turner said 3 of the 4 screening positions have been filled by reliable employees, that actual screening times are slightly lower than expected though labor costs are higher, and that future equipment costs remain uncertain. He said the city will consider the process a normal operation "until told otherwise."

Turner warned of pending federal litigation: a U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., has directed the Transportation Security Administration to redo part of its notice of proposed rulemaking because the court found procedural defects; Turner said that could prompt changes to screening requirements and that staff will monitor developments and report back if the litigation produces substantive changes.

"At this point in time, I am considering this a normal operation until told otherwise and I don't plan on providing any further updates," Turner said, adding staff will brief the council if a court decision changes the requirements.