FAA proposes $536,000 penalty against American Airlines over cargo security violations

<br>FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) _ The Federal Aviation Administration is seeking to fine American Airlines $536,000 for alleged cargo-security violations, including inadequate screening of bags. <br><br>The

Monday, June 17th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) _ The Federal Aviation Administration is seeking to fine American Airlines $536,000 for alleged cargo-security violations, including inadequate screening of bags.

The violations were discovered in October 2000, the FAA said.

A spokeswoman for American, Andrea Rader, said many of the violations were related to paperwork but that a half-dozen small packages ``weren't appropriately screened.''

``In our view, there was no negative impact on our customers or on the planes,'' Rader said.

American will negotiate with the FAA to reduce or eliminate the proposed fine, she said last week.

The FAA said its agents found the violations during a nationwide survey of American's compliance with federal cargo-handling rules.

American failed to meet requirements for taking and screening cargo, training screening personnel and keeping training records. It said the violations were found at eight U.S. airports.