HOUSTON -- Airport security became a top priority for Americans after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11. But who is qualified to check out security at airports?

Video

TV Producer Goes Undercover

News2Houston sent a producer to apply for a job as an airport security screener. He answered an advertisement in a local newspaper that read, "Security screening agents wanted -- no experience necessary."

He applied with a Houston-based company called Maxaero, which is hired by several airlines at both Bush Intercontinental Airport and Hobby Airport to provide passenger checkpoint security.

The starting salary is $8.35 an hour.

Less than one week after filling out an application, the News2Houston producer was asked to come in for training.

"No one asked me any questions one-on-one about why I wanted the job or about myself, what I do, used to do, or how long I have been in town," said the producer who's name will remain anonymous.

"The fact that you are here -- you have been selected -- you are hired," said Pete, the man who trained the producer for the job. His identity was also kept confidential.

The 12-hour training course that the FAA requires started right away.

Maxaero went over the basics of a security checkpoint -- an overview of all the jobs involved.

The producer watched instructional videos, like how to use a handheld metal detector and how to identify a bomb.

He also took a few tests. He was provided with some inside security secrets that we won't divulge.

"I walked away knowing how everything works," the producer said.

After a day and a half of classroom training, the producer was given a badge and a uniform.

And even though the FBI background check that the FAA requires was still being processed, he began screening passengers at Bush Intercontinental Airport while a supervisor looked on, according to News2Houston.

"I was pretty nervous. I took the job seriously. I didn't want to mess up," the producer said.

Maxaero said that it makes a criminal background check of its applicants and that it verifies the past five years of their employment. But News2Houston knew that the company didn't check out the producer's job history before the airport issued him an ID badge because his personal and professional references were never called.

"As of today, not one of them has been called," the producer said.

Like all new hires, the producer worked checking tickets and IDs. He also used a handheld metal detector and checked bags at the gate.

"They (the other screeners) take their job seriously. The employees are not getting paid much, but they're not lollygagging around. They're trying," the producer said.

Maxero, like other airline security companies, follows FAA guidelines when it comes to training applicants. But is that enough? News2Houston asked the former director of the Houston FBI.

"I don't think a day and a half, two days (are enough) when you're talking about a multitude of things that could cause problems in flight or at the airport. Clearly you need more training than that," said Don Clark, former director of the Houston FBI office.

What does the FAA say about these concerns? News2Houston asked, and only received a reply via fax that outlined a list of current security regulations. It said that screeners must have a background check, must be a U.S. citizen, speak English and hold a high school degree. They must have 12 hours of in-classroom training and 40 hours of on-the-job training.

What about hiring practices? Maxaero, not the FAA, is responsible for that, according to News2Houston.

"You're talking about a serious business here -- looking at the employee and his background information. You can determine a lot right there. That should be part of the hiring practice," Clark said.

Maxaero refused to speak with News2Houston about why the undercover producer's references were never checked out.