Where We Stand
Aviation Security
Screening Checked Baggage
As part of our layered approach to security, we electronically screen all checked baggage. We met this Congressional mandate within a year of the establishment of our agency.
Immediately after meeting this requirement, we turned our attention to optimizing checked baggage screening operations with new and better configurations at airports across the country, many of which TSA has funded.
As the number of air travelers continues to grow each year, placing greater demands on our screening resources, we are considerably increasing the use of in-line baggage screening systems to enhance both security and efficiency.
There are currently 16 full and nine partial in-line baggage systems in use around the country and the TSA fully supports an expansion of in-line baggage screening systems. Major airports with in-line baggage screening systems include: Atlanta, Dallas-Forth Worth, Denver, Boston, San Francisco, San Diego, Tampa, Chicago (O’Hare) and others. We will continue to work with our airport partners to develop new in-line baggage screening systems. Construction of new systems is currently underway at 26 airports, including; Chicago (Midway), Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Louisville.
A portion of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorist Prevention Act of 2004 required development of funding alternatives for the installation of in-line baggage screening systems across the country.
Starting in the spring of 2006, we worked with all facets of the aviation industry including other federal agencies, airports and air carriers and the final report received approval from the Aviation Security Advisory Committee, or ASAC, on September 12, 2006. It is currently being reviewed by TSA, DHS and OMB before being submitted to Congress as required.
The collaboration between industry and government was very good and discussions were professional and productive. We had participation from airports of all sizes, national and regional air carriers, financial experts from private industry and other Federal agencies such as FAA and DHS.
Though the study is not yet ready for submission to Congress, it marks a very positive step towards industry participation in the overall process for providing baggage security in the aviation market.
