Tsa's Airport Security: A Comprehensive Overview

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is responsible for the security of nearly 440 federalised airports across the United States. TSA PreCheck® is an expedited screening program that has expanded to over 200 airports with over 600 application centres open nationwide. The TSA employs around 47,000 Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) who screen more than 2 million passengers each day.

TSA PreCheck®: an expedited screening program that makes risk assessments about passengers prior to their arrival at an airport checkpoint

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is responsible for the security of nearly 440 federalised airports across the United States. TSA PreCheck® is an expedited screening program that makes risk assessments about passengers prior to their arrival at an airport checkpoint. The program has expanded to over 200 airports with more than 600 application centres open nationwide.

TSA PreCheck® is a component of TSA's intelligence-driven, risk-based security approach used to provide the most effective security in the most efficient way. It enhances aviation security and provides a better travel experience. TSA PreCheck® identifies passengers who are at very low risk and speeds them through the security checkpoints. The program benefits anyone who travels frequently for business or leisure reasons. It also allows passengers to skip the minor annoyance of piling their laptop, shoes, and coat in a bin for separate screening.

TSA PreCheck® is available to US citizens and lawful permanent residents enrolled in TSA PreCheck®. Members of Global Entry and SENTRI are also eligible. The cost of becoming a traveller with TSA PreCheck status is $78, and the fee is non-refundable and good for five years.

TSA's screening process has evolved from a post-9/11 one-size-fits-all security approach to an intelligence-driven, risk-based strategy. TSA risk-based security practices expedite screening for known and trusted travellers at security checkpoints while focusing resources on high-risk and unknown passengers. Over a million passengers experience some form of expedited screening on a daily basis. TSA incorporates unpredictable security measures throughout the airport and no passenger is guaranteed expedited screening.

TSA's primary security focus: oversight, cooperation, and regulation

The TSA's primary security focus is oversight, cooperation, and regulation. The TSA works collaboratively with surface transportation operators, local, state and federal security partners to ensure appropriate security measures are in place. TSA safeguards all four general modes of land-based transportation: mass transit, freight rail, highway motor carrier and pipeline.

The TSA is responsible for the security of nearly 440 federalised airports and screens more than 2 million passengers daily. TSA officers are trained to spot prohibited items, and on average, discover nine firearms per day at security checkpoints. Over 350 explosives specialists provide expertise in aviation and multimodal environments.

Transportation Security Officers: The TSA employs around 47,000 Transportation Security Officers (TSOs). They screen people and property and control entry and exit points in airports. They also watch several areas before and beyond checkpoints. TSOs do not carry weapons, do not have arrest powers, and are generally not permitted to use force. Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) provide security and protection for air travellers, airports, and aircraft. This includes: Operating various screening equipment and technology to identify dangerous objects in baggage, cargo, and passengers, and preventing those objects from being transported onto aircraft.

TSA PreCheck® is an expedited screening program that makes risk assessments about passengers prior to their arrival at an airport checkpoint. The program has expanded to over 200 airports with over 600 application centres open nationwide.

TSA's security officers: screen more than 2 million passengers each day at nearly 440 airports

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) protects nearly 440 airports across the United States. TSA's security officers screen more than 2 million passengers each day. The TSA employs around 50,000 transportation security officers, who are trained to spot prohibited items, including firearms and explosives. On average, they discover nine firearms per day at security checkpoints.

The TSA also has over 600 aviation transportation security inspectors, who ensure regulatory compliance. Nearly 50% of TSA officers have five or more years of experience as counterterrorism professionals, and nearly 20% are veterans or currently serving.

In addition to airport security, the TSA also safeguards all four general modes of land-based transportation: mass transit, freight rail, highway motor carrier, and pipeline. The TSA PreCheck® program, which makes risk assessments about passengers prior to their arrival at an airport, has expanded to over 200 airports with over 600 application centres nationwide.

TSA's explosives specialists: provide expertise in aviation and multimodal environments

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is responsible for the security of nearly 440 federalised airports. TSA comprises nearly 65,000 employees, including approximately 50,000 transportation security officers, as well as transportation security inspectors, transportation security specialists, administrative and other security professionals.

Transportation security officers screen more than 2 million passengers each day at nearly 440 airports nationwide. Officers are trained to spot prohibited items, and on average, discover nine firearms per day at security checkpoints.

The TSA has nearly 400 explosives specialists that provide expertise in aviation and multimodal environments. These specialists work to prevent dangerous items from boarding an aircraft. They are trained in explosives and improvised explosive device detection, as well as concealment and smuggling techniques.

The TSA also has a National Explosives Detection Canine Program that trains and deploys canine teams in support of day-to-day activities that protect the transportation domain. These canine teams are a highly mobile and extremely efficient explosives detection tool. They work at more than 100 of the nation's airports, mass-transit and maritime systems.

The TSA's explosives specialists provide expertise in aviation and multimodal environments, working to ensure the safety of passengers and prevent dangerous items from boarding aircraft. They are an essential part of the TSA's mission to protect the nation's transportation systems and ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce.

TSA's advanced imaging technology: nearly 950 machines with privacy-protecting software at airports nationwide

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is responsible for the security of nearly 440 federalised airports. TSA comprises nearly 65,000 employees, including approximately 50,000 transportation security officers, who screen more than 2 million passengers each day.

TSA's advanced imaging technology (AIT) machines safely screen passengers without physical contact for metallic and non-metallic threats, including weapons and explosives. There are nearly 950 AIT machines with privacy-protecting software at airports nationwide. The software eliminates passenger-specific images and instead auto-detects potential threat items, indicating their location on a generic outline of a person.

TSA began testing this new software in 2011 at Las Vegas McCarran International Airport, Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International, and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The software was tested on millimeter wave AIT units, with plans to test similar software on backscatter units in the future.

In 2018, TSA officers detected approximately 4,432 firearms at airport checkpoints, averaging 11 firearms per day. TSA conducts over 29,000 assessments a year to improve hands-on training with transportation security officers.

Frequently asked questions