Transportation Security Administration

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The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) was created as part of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act passed by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President George W. Bush on November 19, 2001. The TSA was originally organized in the U.S. Department of Transportation but was moved to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in 2003.

The agency was created in response to the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and The Pentagon. The organization was charged, in the midst of much confusion over appropriate safety procedures, with developing policies to ensure the safety of U.S. air traffic and other forms of transportation. Airport security and the prevention of aircraft hijacking is an integral part of the TSA mission. Before December 1, 2003, the TSA oversaw Federal Air Marshal Service, but at that date the program was officially transferred to the U.S. Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. However, as of fiscal year 2006, the Federal Air Marshal Program was reassigned to the TSA.

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Mission and vision

TSA's mission and vision, according to its official U.S. Government web site:

Mission: The Transportation Security Administration protects the Nation's transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce.

Vision: The Transportation Security Administration will continuously set the standard for excellence in transportation security through its people, processes, and technologies.

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Leadership

  • Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for the TSA is Edmund "Kip" Hawley
  • Deputy Administrator of the TSA is Robert Jamison
  • Associate Administrator for Business Transformation & Culture is Gales Rossides

Assistant Administrator for:

  • Inspections is Diana Holmes
  • Intelligence & Analysis is W. Gaches
  • Strategic Communications & Public Information is Y. Clark, Acting
  • Security Operations is Jim Blair
  • Transportation Security Network Mgmt is M. Restovich, Acting
  • Law Enforcement/Federal Air Marshal Service is Dana A. Brown (as of 2006-03-03)
  • Operational Process & Technology/CIO is Randy Null
  • Human Capital/CHCO is R. Whitford
  • Finance & Administration/CFO is D. Nicholson
  • Acquisition/CPO is R. Gunderson, Acting
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Duties and personnel

In addition to its other duties, the TSA established an official list of Permitted and Prohibited Items for carry-on and stowed luggage. Among other things, this re-allowed such items as knitting needles and crochet needles, that were temporarily banned by some airports and airlines after September 11, 2001. The TSA is also charged with the administration of the controversial Computer Assisted Passenger Prescreening Systems intended to identify suspected or potential terrorists. The TSA does not however control the implementation of this program, this is a responsibility given to the airlines.

The TSA employs over 46,000 personnel used as security officers.

TSA is best known for its role of providing passenger and baggage screening services at over 500 airports across the United States and possessions. Although government employees provide services in all of the fully federalized airports, there are five airports currently involved in the Screening Partnership Program which employ non-federal contractors to provide security services. These five airports and their respective security contractors are:

Statistically significant differences in detection rates at federalized and non-federalized airports have not been established. Starting November 2004, other airports have the option to apply to opt out of federalized screening as well. As of September 2005 Sioux Falls Regional Airport is the only airport to apply and be approved for the SPP, and with the TSA is currently in the process of selecting one of the approved contractors to provide their screening.

As of March, 2004, a controversial plan called the Computer-Assisted Airline Passenger Screening System or CAPPS II, was being promoted by the TSA. The proposed program would force the booking agent or airline to record the traveller's name, address, phone number, date of birth and travel destination at the time of the purchase of the ticket. The data goes from there to the TSA, which forwards it to a contractor for verification. Government officials then would run computer programs that supposedly generate an accurate risk assessment, allowing security to focus their time on high-risk individuals. CAPPS II has come under attack from groups that believe it undermines both privacy and safety (because terrorists allegedly could use it to their advantage), and may be unconstitutional.

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TSA programs

  • Alien Flight Student Program
  • Canine Program
  • Crew Member Self-Defense Program
  • Federal Flight Deck Office Program
  • Funeral Directors Program
  • Intermodal Risk Management
  • Registered Travel Program
  • Persons with Disabilities Program
  • Secure Automobile Inspection Lane
  • Secure Flight Program
  • Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Program
  • Hazmat Truck Security Pilot
  • Transit and Rail Inspection Pilot (TRIP)
  • Screening Partnership Program (SPP)
  • Hazmat Threat Assesment Program

Arguably the most controversial program at TSA is the Secure Flight Program which proposes the keeping of passenger name records and terrorist screening databases to compile and enforce no-fly risks. Many citizens don't trust TSA to implement this program without crossing the line of invasion of privacy for regular law-abiding citizens.

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External links

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