America's Tsa Airports: A Comprehensive Overview

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that has authority over the security of transportation systems within and connecting to the United States. It was created in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks to improve airport security procedures and consolidate air travel security under a federal agency. The TSA is responsible for the security of nearly 440 federalized airports and screens more than 2 million passengers daily and over 750 million every year.

The TSA screens over 2 million passengers and 1.4 million checked items daily

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that has authority over the security of transportation systems within and connecting to the United States. The TSA is responsible for screening passengers and baggage at more than 450 U.S. airports, employing screening officers, explosives detection dog handlers, and bomb technicians in airports, and armed Federal Air Marshals and Federal Flight Deck Officers on aircraft.

The TSA's primary mission is airport security and the prevention of aircraft hijacking. The agency develops key policies to protect the U.S. transportation system, including highways, railroads, bus networks, mass transit systems, ports, pipelines, and intermodal freight facilities. The TSA screens more than 2 million passengers daily and over 750 million every year. This includes screening 1.4 million checked items and 5.5 million carry-on items for explosives and other prohibited items each day.

The TSA has implemented various measures to enhance security, including advanced imaging technology machines, identification verification, pat-downs, and full-body scanners. The agency also conducts extensive training and assessments with transportation security officers to ensure the effectiveness of security protocols.

The TSA's efforts have resulted in the detection of approximately 4,432 firearms at airport checkpoints in 2018, averaging 11 firearms per day. The agency's focus on risk-based security has led to the establishment of TSA PreCheck® application centers and expedited screening for over 8 million passengers each week.

The TSA plays a crucial role in securing the nation's transportation network, which includes more than 4 million miles of roadways, nearly 140,000 miles of railroad track, approximately 612,000 bridges, and a vast network of maritime ports, marine terminals, and pipelines.

TSA PreCheck® is available at over 200 airports

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It was created in response to the September 11 attacks to improve airport security procedures and consolidate air travel security under a single federal law enforcement agency. The TSA is responsible for the security of nearly 440 federalized airports and screens more than 2 million passengers daily.

TSA PreCheck® is a program that allows pre-approved, low-risk travellers to expedite their way through airport security. As of 2021, it is available at approximately 200 airports across the United States, with over 400 application centres open nationwide. The program offers several benefits, including no need to remove shoes, belts, liquids, laptops, or light jackets. TSA PreCheck® users also get to avoid long airport security lines, with 99% of users waiting less than 10 minutes to get through security.

The TSA PreCheck® program is available at many major airports, including:

• Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
• Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
• Miami International Airport (MIA)
• Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
• O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
• Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
• San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
• Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

TSA PreCheck® is available at more than 250 airports across the United States, and nearly 100 domestic and foreign airlines participate in the program. The program offers a hassle-free way to get through airport security, and with its wide availability, it's likely that travellers will have access to it at their departure airport.

TSA employs over 47,000 Transportation Security Officers

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It was created in response to the September 11 attacks to improve airport security procedures and consolidate air travel security under a federal law enforcement agency.

The TSA's primary mission is airport security and the prevention of aircraft hijacking. It is responsible for screening passengers and baggage at more than 450 U.S. airports, employing screening officers, explosives detection dog handlers, and bomb technicians in airports, and armed Federal Air Marshals and Federal Flight Deck Officers on aircraft.

As of the fiscal year 2023, the TSA employed over 47,000 Transportation Security Officers, Transportation Security Specialists, Federal Air Marshals, and other security personnel. These include:

Transportation Security Officers (TSOs)

The TSA employs around 47,000 TSOs, who are responsible for screening people and property, controlling entry and exit points in airports, and monitoring areas before and beyond checkpoints. They operate various screening equipment and technology to identify dangerous objects in baggage, cargo, and on passengers, preventing them from being transported onto aircraft.

TSOs also perform searches and screening, including pat-downs and property searches, control terminal entry and exit points, and interact with the public, giving directions and responding to inquiries. They work in a stressful environment with noise from alarms, machinery, and people, crowd distractions, time pressure, and disruptive and angry passengers.

TSOs are trained to develop critical thinking skills to identify, evaluate, and mitigate security threats, including the application of risk-based security screening protocols. They must also adapt to new information or unexpected obstacles and implement standard operating procedures.

Behavior Detection Officers (BDOs)

BDOs, who are also TSOs, observe passengers as they go through security checkpoints, looking for behaviors that might indicate a higher risk. Such passengers are then subjected to additional screening. This program has faced criticism and allegations of racial profiling, despite TSA assertions that officers are trained to observe behaviors only.

Transportation Security Specialist – Explosives

Formerly known as Bomb Appraisal Officers, these specialists are former military Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technicians or FBI-certified Public Safety Hazardous Devices Technicians with at least three years of experience in an EOD or bomb disposal unit. They provide workforce training to TSA employees, conduct advanced alarm resolution, and serve as a liaison between the TSA, law enforcement, and bomb squads.

Federal Air Marshals (FAMs)

The Federal Air Marshal Service is the law enforcement arm of the TSA. FAMs are federal law enforcement officers who work undercover to protect air travel from hostile acts. They carry weapons and work undercover on flights and in airports, monitoring passenger behavior and movements.

Federal Flight Deck Officers (FFDOs)

FFDOs are airline pilots who are sworn in as federal law enforcement officers. They are authorised to carry firearms and use force, including deadly force, within their specific jurisdiction (the flight deck). Their primary goal is to work with or without FAMs to defend the flight deck from hijacking, criminal violence, or terrorist threats.

Transportation Security Inspectors (TSIs)

TSIs inspect and investigate passenger and cargo transportation systems, including aviation, cargo, and surface inspectors, to assess their security. In 2018, the TSA had 97 international inspectors responsible for performing and reporting on foreign airport assessments and air carrier inspections.

National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program

This program prepares dogs and their handlers to serve as mobile teams that can quickly detect dangerous materials. As of 2008, the TSA had trained around 430 canine teams, with 370 deployed to airports and 56 to mass transit systems.

Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response (VIPR) Teams

These teams, consisting of Federal Air Marshals and other TSA crew, work outside of airport environments at train stations, ports, truck weigh stations, special events, and other places. They have faced criticism and congressional scrutiny for their operations and have been temporarily banned from Amtrak property.

The TSA's security efforts extend beyond airports to other modes of transportation, including roadways, railroads, bridges, tunnels, ports, pipelines, and more. The agency also conducts thousands of surface regulatory inspections annually in support of risk-based security.

The TSA's primary mission is airport security and the prevention of aircraft hijacking

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that has the authority over the security of transportation systems within and connecting to the United States. The TSA's primary mission is airport security and the prevention of aircraft hijacking.

The TSA was created in response to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, which exposed weaknesses in existing airport security procedures. The agency is responsible for developing key policies to protect the U.S. transportation system, including airports, highways, railroads, bus networks, mass transit systems, ports, pipelines, and intermodal freight facilities.

To fulfil its mission, the TSA employs a range of security measures and screening processes at airports across the country. These include identification verification, pat-downs, full-body scanners, and explosives screening for both passengers and their baggage. The agency also utilises unpredictable security measures, working closely with intelligence and law enforcement communities to share information and adjust its procedures to meet evolving threats.

The TSA screens approximately 3.3 million carry-on bags and 1.3 million checked bags daily for explosives and other dangerous items. In addition to these security measures, the TSA also counts on the public to report any suspicious activities at airports, such as unattended bags, individuals with threatening items, or attempts to enter restricted areas.

The TSA's efforts in airport security and prevention of aircraft hijacking are supported by various specialised personnel. This includes Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) who screen people and property, Federal Air Marshals who work undercover to protect air travel, and Federal Flight Deck Officers who are deputised to carry out law enforcement duties within the flight deck.

The TSA also collaborates with other federal agencies, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), to ensure a coordinated response to potential threats and maintain aviation safety and security.

Overall, the TSA's primary mission of airport security and the prevention of aircraft hijacking involves a comprehensive approach that combines security measures, screening processes, specialised personnel, and inter-agency collaboration to protect the nation's transportation systems and ensure the safety of passengers and crew.

The TSA is headquartered in Springfield, Virginia

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is headquartered in Springfield, Virginia, where it moved in 2003 after becoming part of the Department of Homeland Security. The TSA's headquarters are located at 6595 Springfield Center Drive, near the outskirts of Fort Belvoir and the Franconia-Springfield Metro station.

The TSA's headquarters were previously in the MCI WorldCom building in Crystal City, where the agency occupied approximately 300,000 square feet of office space. The new headquarters, which was built in 2018, offers 625,000 square feet of space and cost $316 million. The new building features specialty spaces, including a full-service cafeteria, a professional fitness facility, a multi-purpose conference center, and an employee credit union.

The TSA is responsible for the security of nearly 440 federalized airports and screens more than 2 million passengers and 1.4 million checked items daily. The agency employs over 47,000 Transportation Security Officers and operates on a budget of approximately $9.70 billion.

Frequently asked questions