The Secretary of US Homeland Security Jeh Johnson has ordered the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to recruit additional staff and improve airport security operations at all of the country’s main international and domestic airports – ahead of the expected summer air travel rush.

Delays in the past have proved to be a major headache for bigger airports in the US and particularly when it impacts upon duty free shopping time, as highlighted to TRBusiness by IAADFS Executive Director Michael Payne on many occasions.

In a statement, Johnson said: “Administrator Admiral Neffenger and I are acutely aware of the significant increase in travellers and longer wait times at airports and their projected growth over the summer. With this in mind, and given the current threat environment, last month I directed TSA to take a number of steps.

“In addition to the work they are already doing to address increased traveller volume and provide more effective and efficient security operations at our airports, TSA is taking the following steps:

 

 

RECRUITMENT DRIVE IS UNDERWAY
“First, TSA is increasing the staffing of Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) to help expedite the checkpoint process without sacrificing security. This will allow TSOs to provide effective service at airports that are expected to have the highest passenger volume.

“TSA is also increasing the number of canine teams as an additional measure to help them expedite the screening process.”

In addition, he said TSA has also expanded its outreach and enrollment efforts for the TSA Preè service, which allows pre-screened eligible travellers to pass through security more quickly without removing their shoes, laptops, or travel-sized liquids.

Johnson added: “To that end, I encourage companies to follow Microsoft’s example of reimbursing its employees who enroll in TSA Pre√®. This incentive lends itself to both smart business and efficient security. I also encourage individual travellers to apply for and take advantage of the TSA Pre√® themselves. This will help us enhance security while greatly reducing travel time for everyone.”

 

‘OPTIMIZATION TEAMS’ INTRODUCED…
Last, but not least, he said TSA is also working closely with airports and airlines on the detail which supports support non-security screening operations, such as returning bins to the front of waiting lines and other non-security related tasks.

To this end, TSA has formed ‘Optimization Teams’ and closely partnered with airlines, airport authorities and industry to deliver ‘innovative’ screening procedures. In this regard, Johnson says that both he and Administrator Neffenger are working with the aviation industry to develop airport-specific actions plans for the nation’s busiest airports.

Johnson concluded: “In addition to these measures, I have called on Congress to approve a reprogramming or reallocation of Fiscal Year 2016 funds to pay for TSO overtime and fulfill critical short-term needs. These funds will allow TSA to expand the work hours of screening officers in peak periods at high volume airports.

“As we look ahead to the surge in summer travel, we will continue to consider a number of other steps to ensure enhanced aviation security while also maximising efficiency at check points.”