For reference, Island Air operates Dash 8-100's, and Pacific Wings uses Cessna Caravans. --------------------------------------- SOURCE: KITV via Yahoo http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=413&e=3&u=/ibsys/20040818/lo_kitv/2335233 Airline Security On Neighbor Islands Angers Competitor Wed Aug 18, 3:52 AM ET The owner of a local airline says taxpayer money is being wasted to provide unnecessary security at two small airports. When the last Hawaiian Airlines flights to Molokai and Lanai left this weekend, the federal security screeners there were expected to lose their jobs. However, they did not. They're now screening passengers on Island Air flights even though island air planes are considered too small to be a terror threat. The federal decision has a competitor, Pacific Wings, crying foul. The Transportation Security Administration has a check point at the Honolulu International Airport small airline terminal because big commercial jets operate in the same area, but at smaller airports, where big jets aren't nearby, the TSA presence is optional. Island Air asked TSA to stay on at Molokai and Lanai and to add new screeners at the Kahului Airport commuter terminal, but not because of new security concerns. State officials said Island Air told them it wants its passengers with connecting flights to be screened at the small airports and avoid screening the rest of the way home. Although the state has put plans to expand security at the Kahului terminal on hold, airport managers say they like having federal screeners on the neighbor islands. The people get to keep their jobs and may help reduce congestion elsewhere, they said.