Where We Stand
A Look Back At Our Work
General Accomplishments
TSA is proud to have put a new face on aviation security, making air travel safer than it has ever been and restoring the confidence of the flying public.
TSA met challenging Congressional deadlines in creating a multi-layered system of security that is continuously assessed and updated. Now, all passengers and their baggage are screened, several thousand armed pilots protect cockpits of passenger and cargo planes, and explosives detecting canine teams are on the job. Also, thousands of federal air marshals are deployed on tens of thousands of flights each month; pre-9/11 there were less than three dozen air marshals.
Deadlines successfully met included screening all passengers by November 19, 2002 – on the one-year anniversary of the creation of TSA – and screening all baggage using Congressionally approved methods by December 31, 2002.
TSA’s highly trained security officers have successfully minimized passenger wait times at security checkpoints even with air travel back to pre-9/11 levels.
Over 40 million prohibited items have been intercepted at screening checkpoints since TSA assumed responsibility for security at the nation’s 450 airports in February of 2002.
The agency has deployed resources in a flexible risk-based manner. As a result, the prohibited items list was revised on December 22, 2005, allowing security officers to focus on the greatest risk, explosives. With the change, passengers were permitted through the checkpoint with metal scissors with pointed tips and a blade of four inches or less (measured from the fulcrum) and small tools like screwdrivers, wrenches and pliers seven inches or less in length.
As a part of TSA’s reorganization, the new office of Transportation Security Network Management (TSNM) has created a seamless connection between those who have a stake in transportation security and the TSA. General managers have been appointed for each critical mode such as cargo, general aviation, and rail.
TSA has substantially bolstered intelligence gathering and is aggressively pursuing new and/or improved technology. Approximately $1 billion has been committed to upgrading explosives detection systems at airports over a three-year period.
In January 2004, TSA doubled the Artesia, N.M.-based training program for arming pilots, both passenger and cargo, to defend the cockpit as Federal Flight Deck Officers. There are currently several thousand trained officers.
Since returning to TSA in October 2005, the FAMS has integrated into the Office of Law Enforcement and the rest of TSA operations, and the resulting synergies have significantly bolstered the level of security in aviation operations.
TSA has improved its surge capacity for all modes of transportation. One of the lessons learned from response and recovery efforts for Hurricane Katrina was TSA’s significant surge capability. To test this capability and, ultimately, to enhance security in all modes of transportation, TSA initiated the first Visible Intermodal Protection and Response (VIPR) exercise in mid-December 2005.
The Career Progression Program for TSOs is being implemented. The program adds additional security within our current budget constraints, as it bolsters retention by offering career growth and professional development opportunities for our high-performing TSOs. The program adds a new E Band to the TSO compensation scale above the existing D Band, includes specialized technical career tracks, and creates an equipment maintenance technician position.
Local Hiring was initiated in March 2006. FSDs were given more flexibility to recruit and hire locally, allowing them to more efficiently address staffing needs. Since local hiring began, TSA has increased the number of new hires starting from approximately 200 per pay period in February to nearly 900 for the pay period starting early September 2006.
TSA supported Pandemic Influenza Preparation activities. The agency established a task force in November 2005 to develop and coordinate its response with other Federal and non-Federal entities to a possible Avian Influenza outbreak in the Unites States.
Additional progress was made on the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC). Proposed regulations were approved for the biometric-based identification credential for port workers.
The Air Cargo Rule was completed and published in May 2006. The requirements, designed to protect the more than 50,000 tons of cargo that are transported aboard passenger and all-cargo aircraft each day, mark the first substantial changes to air cargo regulations since 1999, and represent a joint government-industry vision of an enhanced security baseline.
TSA assisted in the evacuation efforts for more than 4,500 American citizens returning home from Lebanon in July 2006. Security professionals including federal air marshals, aviation security inspectors and transportation security officers (TSOs) volunteered and deployed to key sites in the U.S. and abroad to facilitate secure flight and screening operations.
TSOs from around the nation traveled to New Orleans in 2005 to facilitate the air evacuation of 25,000 passengers after Hurricane Katrina.
TSA launched a redesigned TSA.gov Web site in June 2006, incorporating updated information and a more user-friendly interface. The Web site proved a valuable tool following the thwarted terror plot in August 2006, with more than 15 million hits on August 10 alone.
TSA successfully completed the Registered Traveler Pilot Program at five airports allowing frequent fliers who have undergone background checks to largely avoid secondary screening, thus improving customer service while maintain the high level of security. TSA anticipates rolling out the initial approximately 20 pilot sites of a national Registered Traveler program in the second half of 2006.
TSA has worked closely with airport and airline partners to tighten access and perimeter control and to check the backgrounds of their employees and those of airport concessionaires.
TSA has been a good steward of taxpayer dollars while delivering world-class security and customer service, operating since December of 2003 within the Congressionally-mandated full-time equivalent of 43,000 screeners, a reduction of 10,000-plus.
Bomb Appraisal Officer (BAO) Program
The Bomb Appraisal Program is an effective and affordable additional layer of security to prevent the introduction of explosives and improvised explosive devices into the aviation system. TSA bomb appraisal officers are strategically deployed at airports across the country. Integration of these highly trained and specialized personnel strengthens security by providing additional resources focused on the number one threat to aviation, as do advanced alarm resolution, helping reduce terminal closures and keeping passengers moving efficiently through the airport.
Screening Passengers By Observation Techniques (SPOT)
SPOT is designed to detect individuals who exhibit behavior that indicates they may be a threat to aviation and/or transportation security. The program is a derivative of other behavioral analysis programs that have been successfully employed by law enforcement and security personnel both in the U.S. and internationally.
SPOT adds an element of unpredictability to the screening process that will be easy for passengers to navigate but difficult for terrorists to manipulate.
Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
TSA has vetted over 400,000 port employees and longshoremen against terrorist watch lists. In the coming weeks, TSA will complete vetting for all these employees.
A more in depth criminal history check will be conducted as part of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC). TSA has tested and begun the rulemaking process for a TWIC and will begin enrollment by the end of the year on an estimated 750,000 port workers, longshoremen, truckers and others requiring access to secure areas.TSA Canine Program
The National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program has grown from 189 teams at 39 airports in 2001 to 425 teams at more than 75 airports and 11 mass transit systems.
For the first time in the history of this program, TSA-certified explosives detection canine teams are stationed at each of the nation's largest airports and some of the largest transit systems. These highly trained teams are used several times each day to search aircraft and terminals, to check out suspect bags or cargo, and to deter terrorist activities.
Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO) Program
Under Title XIV of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, Congress mandated that TSA establish procedural requirements for an armed flight deck officer program and to begin training in early 2003.
Since its inception, thousands of pilots have been deputized as FFDOs, and currently fly tens of thousands of mission legs each month.
TSA implemented a re-qualification program in January 2004, which provided 18 firearms sites across the nation for FFDO to obtain re-qualification.
HAZMAT Trucking
On May 5, 2003, TSA published rules to secure the transportation of Hazmat, including explosives, by requiring background checks for all individuals who apply for, renew, or transfer a hazardous materials endorsement (HME) for a commercial drivers license (CDL).
In August 2006, TSA began to require similar background checks for hazardous materials drivers from Canada and Mexico.
To date, TSA has had over 200,000 new applications for HMEs.
TSA has conducted name-based checks on the current 2.7 million Hazmat-endorsed drivers.
