U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar asked Homeland Security boss Michael Chertoff today to aid in investigating recent revelations that de-icing contractors at Denver International Airport have helped employees cheat on qualification exams.
“There should be zero-tolerance with respect to cheating on safety issues,” Salazar told the media today.
Chertoff has agreed to help investigate the matter, Salazar said.
Servisair, the largest de-icing contractor at DIA, retrained all of its workers after Denver’s CBS4 went undercover to reveal that managers were giving them answers to test questions.
“The de-icing program is a keystone to safety to the flying public. The qualifications of those working in the de-icing program must never be compromised. Therefore, I appreciate your help in ensuring the integrity of this program, including any assistance you might offer in the ongoing investigation,” Salazar said in a letter to Chertoff today.
Federal Aviation Administration offices that oversee airlines with Servisair contracts have been notified of what happened in Denver, and the agency is reviewing Servisair records and Frontier’s oversight records.
Tom McGhee: 303-954-1671 or tmcghee@denverpost.com
