( CNN ) The world 's busiest airport has started screening employee bags before allowing workers into secure areas and shutting down access doors to the airfield in the wake of a gun-smuggling operation , CNN has confirmed . Until recently , Atlanta 's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport had about 70 access points for what 's called `` back of the airport '' employees , including baggage handlers and ramp workers . The workers were not subject to bag and body check screening when going to work . Before the new measures , employees only had to swipe their badges to gain access to secure areas of the airport . Now private security guards are checking their bags and personal belongings before they are allowed to enter a security door at the main terminal . `` There 's a phased-in approach to get to full employee screening , '' airport spokesman Reese McCranie said . A day in the life of the Atlanta airport . In addition , after a CNN inquiry , airport officials closed one access point to the ramp used by Delta Air Lines employees arriving for work on the lower level of the airport . The employees have to punch in an access code to the door , and once inside , swipe their badges to go through another door . They still have access to the outer door , but the second inside door that leads to the ramp is now restricted . Delta subcontractors confirmed to CNN that employees could access the airfield after punching in their code and going through another door . `` Yeah , they can get into the terminal , '' the employee said . `` The break room allows you to go through a door where they have access to the mezzanine . The mezzanine is the outside where the planes are , it 's where they do their work . They have other elevators that they can go through that 'll take them up to the terminal . '' Within days of CNN 's visit , the airport restricted access . `` The area that we visited ... that leads from the Delta break room to the baggage make-up area is being locked down , '' McCranie told CNN . `` It will remain an emergency exit per fire code . If anyone tries to access it , the door alarm will be activated and recorded on CCTV ( closed-circuit television ) . The only personnel that will now have access to this door will be emergency responders ( police and fire department ) . '' Delta said that due to the sensitive nature of security protocols , it could not discuss specifics , but noted that `` safety and security are always Delta 's top priority and we are continually engaged with DHS , TSA and other stakeholders to enhance strategy and tactics across the airline 's global operation . '' The airport plans to reduce the number of employee access points from about 70 to 10 , McCranie said . In addition , secure area access has been cut for about 4,400 employees who work for companies at the airport . Those employees will now have to go through Transportation Security Administration screening . Federal agents broke up a gun smuggling operation at Atlanta 's airport in December , arresting a Delta baggage handler and passenger . The baggage handler was able to bring guns to work in a satchel , enter the gate area and pass the weapons to a passenger who had already gone through security , according to an arrest warrant affidavit and officials . The passenger transported guns on about 20 Delta flights from Atlanta to New York last year , the affidavit said . A CNN investigation found that only two major airports in the United States -- Miami and Orlando -- conduct full employee screening , requiring all employees with secure access to pass through metal detectors . Following a January congressional hearing about airport employee screening , the Atlanta airport 's general manager , Miguel Southwell , said he wanted to move toward full screening . `` It ca n't be a one size fits all , '' Southwell said . `` In addition to the background checks as an employee , there 's an enormous amount of training that goes on . There 's an enormous amount of retraining that goes on as well . '' Watch Anderson Cooper 360° weeknights 8pm ET . For the latest from AC360° click here .
Atlanta airport plans to increase from 5 to 10 employee access points . Airport now screens employees ' bags . Earlier CNN investigation found only two major U.S. airports fully screen employees .