news

Romulus — Citing concern for their safety and that of passengers, Transportation Security Administration officers rallied Wednesday at Detroit Metropolitan Airport asking that the federal government hire armed security to protect them.

Joined by U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Dearborn, more than 35 union leaders representing the TSA officers said it is time for beefed up security in light of the March 21 attack on TSA officers by a man armed with a machete and wasp spray at the New Orleans International Airport and another attack in Los Angeles two years ago, which left a TSA officer dead.

Dingell said TSA officers told her they fear that something tragic could occur at Metro Airport as it did LAX that left a TSA officer dead.

"A number of them spoke to me about their concerns, about what we need to do to protect our airport, our passengers and to protect the brave individuals who are keeping us safe," she said. "They have dangerous, high-pressure jobs. And we love to complain when we have to take our shoes off, but we never thank them for making sure that people aren't smuggling something through that could hurt us when we are up there."

American Federation of Government Employees leaders said they have been in talks with both TSA officials and members of Congress and that dialogue has begun but that this rally was designed to being attention to the issue to the flying public.

Click here to read the full story.