TSA Issues New Airport Directive on Security Badges for Commercial Airport Personnel
Commercial Airports
TSA has issued a new security directive to airports that will enhance airport security badge protocols. This directive is aimed at reducing the vulnerabilities from insider threats and will not impact passengers when they travel through airports.
General aviation pilots who are based out of a commercial airport and currently have unescorted access will be impacted by this new directive. They will be required to undergo security badge procedures, like those other airport employees experience, which will include a security threat assessment (STA). The change will not affect general aviation pilots traveling away from their home airports.
TSA continually works with its stakeholders in the airport community to improve and enhance the vetting and credentialing of people with access to secure areas of airports. TSA and its stakeholders also provide employee education and training to ensure badges are used correctly and securely.
Earlier this year, TSA extended the time frame for airports to become compliant with this directive to June of 2009. This extension was designed to allow airport operators additional time to comply with the new security directive. This security directive clarifies an earlier version issued to industry last year.
Industry FAQ’s
Q. What are the changes being made as a result of this directive?
A. TSA is strengthening the airport security badge process by requiring airports to verify, examine and retain all documentation related to airport workers. Previously, this responsibility was managed by individual employers. TSA will also only begin reviewing documentation for a security badge after all the paperwork is received. This will streamline the process for both the airport and TSA. These changes will standardize the process for all airport personnel with unescorted access to secure areas of commercial airports.
Q. When will these changes take effect?
A. This security directive became effective on June 1, 2009.
Q. Who is impacted by the security directive?
A. This new directive strengthens the airport credentialing process across all commercial airports and throughout the airport environment. General aviation pilots who currently have unescorted access to a general aviation airport that is on commercial airport property will be affected by the requirements of the directive.
Q. How does the directive impact airport operators?
A. TSA conducts the security threat assessment process for individual who apply for a secure area badge. As a result of this directive, TSA will only begin this process once all of an applicant’s information is received. This will streamline the process for both the airport and TSA. TSA will also require airports to verify, examine and retain all documentation related to airport workers. Previously, this responsibility was with the employer.
