Tsa Staffing At Airports: How Many Are Enough?

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is a US government agency responsible for security in transportation systems, including airports, highways, railroads, and mass transit systems. Created in response to the September 11 attacks, the TSA's primary mission is to ensure airport security and prevent aircraft hijacking.

With a budget of approximately $9.7 billion for the fiscal year 2023, the TSA employs over 47,000 personnel, including Transportation Security Officers, Federal Air Marshals, and explosives detection dog handlers. They are responsible for screening passengers and baggage at more than 450 US airports, utilizing methods such as identification verification, pat-downs, and full-body scanners.

The number of TSA officers deployed at an airport can vary, and factors such as airport size, passenger volume, and security requirements influence the staffing levels. While the exact number of TSA officers at each airport may not be publicly available, the TSA's presence helps ensure the safety and security of travelers across the United States.

The TSA's role in airport security

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's primary mission is airport security and the prevention of aircraft hijacking. The TSA was created in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, which revealed weaknesses in existing airport security procedures.

The TSA is responsible for screening passengers and baggage at more than 450 U.S. airports. This includes screening approximately 3.3 million carry-on bags and 1.3 million checked bags daily for explosives and other dangerous items. The TSA employs 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 develops key policies to protect the U.S. transportation system, including highways, railroads, bus networks, mass transit systems, ports, pipelines, and intermodal freight facilities. It works closely with intelligence and law enforcement communities to share information and maintain aviation security standards abroad.

The TSA has screening processes and regulations related to passengers and checked and carry-on luggage, including identification verification, pat-downs, full-body scanners, and explosives screening. The TSA uses advanced imaging technology and walk-through metal detectors to screen passengers for metallic and non-metallic threats.

The TSA adjusts its processes and procedures to meet evolving threats and achieve the highest levels of transportation security. It also counts on the traveling public to report any suspicious activities at airports, train stations, bus stops, and ports.

The TSA has been subject to criticism and controversy regarding the effectiveness of its procedures, incidents of baggage theft, data security, and allegations of prejudicial treatment towards certain ethnic groups. Undercover tests have shown that the TSA's failure rate frequently ranges between 80% and 95%.

TSA's screening procedures for passengers and baggage

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 response to the September 11 attacks to improve airport security procedures and consolidate air travel security under a federal law enforcement agency.

TSA's screening processes and regulations related to passengers and checked and carry-on luggage include identification verification, pat-downs, full-body scanners, and explosives screening.

Screening Procedures for Passengers and Baggage

TSA incorporates unpredictable security measures, both seen and unseen, to accomplish its transportation security mission. Security measures begin long before passengers arrive at the airport. TSA works closely with intelligence and law enforcement communities to share information. Additional security measures are in place from the time passengers arrive at the airport until they reach their destination.

TSA's screening procedures are intended to prevent prohibited items and other threats to transportation security from entering the sterile area of the airport. They are developed in response to information on threats to transportation security.

Carry-on Baggage Screening

TSA screens approximately 3.3 million carry-on bags for explosives and other dangerous items daily. Passengers will be asked to remove personal electronic devices larger than a cell phone from their carry-on bag and place them into a separate bin for X-ray screening. This includes laptops, tablets, e-readers, and handheld game consoles. Food and snacks such as fruit, health bars, and sandwiches can usually remain inside carry-on bags. However, there are special instructions for liquids, gels, and aerosols, as well as for baby food, breast milk, and medically necessary items.

TSA officers may instruct travelers to separate other items from carry-on bags, such as foods, powders, and any materials that can clutter bags and obstruct clear images on the X-ray machine. It is recommended to keep bags organized to facilitate the screening process.

Checked Baggage Screening

TSA screens approximately 1.3 million checked bags for explosives and other dangerous items daily. Upon check-in, checked baggage is provided to TSA for security screening. The majority of checked baggage is screened without the need for a physical bag search. TSA may inspect checked baggage during the screening process, and if a physical inspection is conducted, a notice of baggage inspection will be placed inside the bag.

Locks: TSA has been provided with universal "master" keys that can open certain branded locks without having to cut them. These locks are commercially available, and their packaging should indicate that they may be opened by TSA officers.

Pat-down Procedures

Pat-down procedures are used to determine whether prohibited items or other threats to transportation security are concealed on a person. Passengers may be required to undergo a pat-down if the screening technology alarms, as part of unpredictable security measures, for enhanced screening, or as an alternative to other types of screening. Even passengers who normally receive expedited screening may, at times, receive a pat-down.

A pat-down may include an inspection of the head, neck, arms, torso, legs, and feet, including sensitive areas such as breasts, groin, and buttocks. Passengers may be required to adjust their clothing during the pat-down. TSA officers will advise passengers of the procedure to help them anticipate any actions before they feel them. Sufficient pressure must be applied during the pat-down to ensure detection, and areas may be patted down more than once for confirmation.

TSA officers use the back of their hands for pat-downs over sensitive areas of the body. In limited cases, additional screening involving a sensitive area pat-down with the front of the hand may be necessary to determine that a threat does not exist.

Passengers will receive a pat-down by an officer of the same sex. At any time during the process, passengers may request private screening accompanied by a companion of their choice. A second officer of the same sex will always be present during private screening.

Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT)

TSA uses millimeter-wave advanced imaging technology and walk-through metal detectors to screen passengers. AIT safely screens passengers without physical contact for metallic and non-metallic threats, including weapons and explosives, that may be concealed under clothing. Passengers undergoing screening will usually have the opportunity to decline AIT screening in favor of a physical screening. However, some passengers will be required to undergo AIT screening if their boarding pass indicates they have been selected for enhanced screening.

AIT uses non-ionizing radio-frequency energy in the millimeter spectrum, which meets national health and safety standards and does not use X-ray technology. TSA has strict privacy standards when using AIT to protect passenger privacy. AIT uses automated target recognition software that eliminates passenger-specific images and instead auto-detects potential threats by indicating their location on a generic outline of a person. The generic outline is identical for all passengers.

Secure Flight

Secure Flight is a risk-based passenger pre-screening program that enhances security by identifying low and high-risk passengers before they arrive at the airport. It matches passenger names against trusted traveler lists and watchlists. Secure Flight collects the minimum amount of personal information necessary to conduct effective matching, including full name, date of birth, and sex.

TSA PreCheck®

TSA PreCheck® is an expedited screening program that allows eligible passengers to speed through security without removing their shoes, laptops, liquids, belts, and light jackets. Passengers must include their Known Traveler Number (KTN) in their airline reservation to receive a TSA PreCheck® indicator on their boarding pass.

TSA's budget and staffing numbers

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 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 budget and staffing numbers have fluctuated over the years, but it generally operates with a multi-billion dollar budget and employs tens of thousands of personnel. For the fiscal year 2020, the TSA had a budget of roughly $7.68 billion. This included funding from a $5.60 per-passenger fee, also known as the September 11 Security Fee, for each one-way air travel trip originating in the United States, not exceeding $11.20 for a round trip. This passenger fee totaled $2.4 billion in 2020, roughly 32% of the budget allocated by Congress that year.

In the fiscal year 2023, the TSA's budget increased to approximately $9.7 billion. This budget supports the employment of over 47,000 Transportation Security Officers, Transportation Security Specialists, Federal Air Marshals, and other security personnel. The TSA's budget also covers the cost of screening approximately 1.3 million checked bags and 3.3 million carry-on bags daily for explosives and other dangerous items.

The TSA has faced criticism for its budget and staffing decisions, including allegations of wasteful spending and ineffective security measures. However, it is important to note that the TSA's primary mission is to ensure the security of transportation systems, especially airports, and to prevent aircraft hijacking. The complex and dynamic nature of terrorist threats requires constant innovation, rapid deployment of new solutions, and effective utilization of resources.

To address staffing challenges and improve employee retention, the TSA introduced a new pay system in July 2023, mirroring the General Schedule pay scale. This new system provides predictable, annual pay increases and promotes career progression for Transportation Security Officers (TSOs), who are the frontline workforce in airports.

In summary, the TSA's budget and staffing numbers reflect the critical role it plays in securing the nation's transportation systems, particularly airports. With a multi-billion dollar budget and a dedicated team of thousands of security personnel, the TSA strives to safeguard transportation while adapting to evolving threats.

TSA PreCheck® and other expedited screening programs

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 response to the September 11 attacks to improve airport security procedures and consolidate air travel security under a federal law enforcement agency.

TSA PreCheck® is an expedited screening program that allows travellers to speed through security without needing to remove shoes, laptops, 3-1-1 liquids, belts, or light jackets. The program is available at over 200 airports and with more than 90 airlines.

To enrol in TSA PreCheck®, individuals must complete an online application, an in-person appointment, and pay a fee. The application fee covers the cost of a background check and recurrent criminal history vetting, and membership lasts for five years. Children aged 12 and under can accompany a parent or guardian with TSA PreCheck® without restriction, while children aged 13-17 must have the TSA PreCheck® logo on their boarding pass to access the lanes.

TSA PreCheck® is not a guarantee, and the agency uses unpredictable security measures throughout the airport. All travellers will be screened, and no individual is guaranteed expedited screening. TSA PreCheck® members may still be required to undergo a pat-down procedure or advanced imaging technology screening if, for example, the screening technology alarms.

TSA PreCheck® is one of several trusted traveller programs offered by the Department of Homeland Security. Global Entry provides expedited U.S. customs screening for international air travellers entering the United States, and members also receive TSA PreCheck® benefits. NEXUS and SENTRI are additional trusted traveller programs that offer expedited screening when travelling between the U.S. and Canada or Mexico, respectively.

Criticisms and controversies surrounding the TSA

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has faced a lot of criticism and controversy since its inception. Here are some of the key areas of criticism:

Effectiveness of Screening Procedures

Undercover tests conducted by the Department of Homeland Security have revealed a high failure rate for TSA security measures, ranging from 80% to 95%. A 2004 report by the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General found that TSA officials had collaborated with Covenant Aviation Security (CAS) at San Francisco International Airport to alert screeners to undercover tests. Similarly, in 2006, screeners at Newark Liberty International Airport failed 20 out of 22 undercover security tests, missing numerous guns and bombs. These incidents raise serious concerns about the effectiveness of TSA screening procedures.

Unintended Consequences of Screening Enhancements

Two studies by Cornell University researchers found that increased airport security may have led to an increase in road fatalities as some travellers opt to drive instead, exposing themselves to a higher risk of dying in a car accident. The researchers estimated that about 1,200 additional driving deaths could be attributed to the short-term effects of the 9/11 attacks. Additionally, stricter security measures implemented by the TSA in 2002 were estimated to have reduced the number of air travellers by 6%, resulting in 129 more driving deaths in the fourth quarter of that year.

Smuggling Drugs and Weapons

The TSA has been criticised for an increase in baggage theft since its creation. In 2004, over 17,000 claims of baggage theft were reported, and by 2011, approximately 500 TSA agents had been fired or suspended for stealing from passenger luggage. The TSA's access to secure areas has raised concerns that the same access could allow bombs or other dangerous items to be placed aboard aircraft.

Data Security Incidents

The TSA has also faced criticism for several data security incidents. In 2007, an unencrypted computer hard drive containing sensitive information about 100,000 employees was lost or stolen from TSA headquarters. While there were no reports of data misuse, this incident raised concerns about the agency's ability to protect sensitive information. In 2014, a sensitive manual containing airport screening guidelines was posted on a public website, raising questions about potential security breaches.

Invasive Screening Procedures and Passenger Mistreatment

The TSA has faced significant backlash for its use of invasive screening procedures, including enhanced pat-downs and full-body scanners. These procedures have been criticised as unconstitutional and invasive of passengers' privacy. There have also been allegations of TSA agents mistreating passengers, sexually harassing them, and using screening procedures to ogle female passengers.

Racial Profiling and Prejudicial Treatment

The TSA has been accused of racial profiling and prejudicial treatment towards certain ethnic groups. A program called Screening of Passengers by Observation Technique (SPOT) has been particularly controversial, as it involves Behaviour Detection Officers observing passengers' behaviours during security checkpoints. Despite the TSA's assertion that officers are trained to observe behaviour only, the program has sparked concerns about racial profiling and has been criticised as ineffective by the Government Accountability Office.

Wasteful Spending and Misconduct

The TSA has also been criticised for wasteful spending, conflicts of interest, and misconduct among its employees. A 2013 GAO report showed a 26% increase in misconduct among TSA employees between 2010 and 2012. There have been calls for the abolition of the TSA, with critics arguing that private companies could provide more effective and cost-efficient screening services.

Frequently asked questions