Letters: TSA institutes new program

October marks the 10-year anniversary of federalized security screening operations at Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport. On Oct. 8, 2002, the Transportation Security Administration deployed a federal workforce in Baton Rouge to screen all commercial airline passengers and their luggage. Since then, TSA has evolved into an agency with a multilayered approach to security that includes intelligence, innovative technology and a highly trained workforce to keep the traveling public safe.

Through the Secure Flight program, TSA vets all passengers flying into, out of and within the United States against government watch lists. All checked and carry-on bags are screened for explosives and other threats. At Baton Rouge Metropolitan and more than 190 airports across the country, TSA uses advanced imaging technology to detect both metallic and nonmetallic threats, including explosives. Onboard aircraft, hardened cockpit doors, the Federal Flight Deck Officer program and federal air marshals serve as additional layers of security. TSA also works closely with the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport and the airlines to ensure their security programs are comprehensive.

Every day approximately 1.7 million passengers are screened at TSA checkpoints nationwide. This year, TSA has discovered three firearms at the Baton Rouge security checkpoint, preventing these weapons from entering our nation’s transportation system. Last year, four firearms were discovered at the Baton Rouge checkpoint while more than 1,300 guns were discovered at TSA checkpoints throughout the nation.

As we move away from a one-size-fits all model, we are implementing risk-based security concepts to further enhance security. This is an expedited TSA screening initiative at more than 25 airports nationwide. Other risk-based security measures including modified screening procedures for passengers 12 and younger and those 75 and older.

Going forward, TSA will continue to play a critical role in staying ahead of determined adversaries. We appreciate the ongoing support and cooperation of the aviation industry and the traveling public as we continue to strengthen transportation security.

Dereck Starks

federal security director,
Transportation Security Administration

Baton Rouge

Comments

1) Comment by Fisher1949 - 10/09/2012

What a disgusting and insulting piece of TSA propaganda. How about getting the pedophiles and criminals that grope us out of the agency? There have been 90 major security breaches by TSA in less than two years. Many have resulted in terminal evacuations resulting in millions of dollars in airline disruptions. In dozens of other incidents weapons have made it aboard planes. Based on the GAO tests in 2011, TSA failed to discover weapons 60% - 70% of the time. So for every gun they find two get through. Just last week an ABC sting operation resulted in the arrest of TSA screener Andy Ramirez who stole the iPad from an Orlando checkpoint. One week earlier, a TSA screener at Ft. Lauderdale, Andrew Smeal, was arrested for child pornography. He had been hired by TSA a month before while he was under investigation by the FBI. Clearly TSA is not doing background checks of its employees. A former TSA screener, Pythias Brown, told ABC News last week that theft is rampant at TSA and that it is accepted within the agency. TSA allows a known pedophile, Thomas Harkins to remain employed as a TSA Supervisor in Philadelphia five months after his past was exposed. TSA finds it acceptable to turn a known sex offender loose on our children so retaining criminals should be no problem. TSA needs to be replaced with something that actually works and the TSA management responsible for this, including this writer, prosecuted for malfeasance.

2) Comment by The_Host - 10/09/2012

Ah yes the great Kabuki Dance of the TSA. Such a vial and repulsive bit of acting that has been proven time and again to be as effective at stopping an attack as a tube of KY jelly. I think we should just make everyone wear hospital gowns and hand each their own baseball bat when they get on the plane. Do a better check of luggage and employees at most. When you arrive at your destination you give up the bat and get your clothes back. Simple really. Who is going to jump up on a plane to hijack it if everyone is in a tube wielding a bat? I must admit I profile people while waiting to board and as they are being seated when I fly. I also wear my heaviest leather belt with the reinforced buckle so that if need be I have a handy cinch to secure anyone that might get out of control. I don't know or care about the rest of you but if someone on a plane suddenly acts unusual or in a threatening manor they are going down right then and there no questions asked. I mean after all this I would think any sane person knows you don't go acting up on a plane in any way, shape or form these days less you be looked at like someone that needs to be strained or even killed. There will not be any messing around as has been already shown a few times.

3) Comment by Chucky - 10/09/2012

I agree with misterfalcon , and i think the terrorist have won a victory with the TSA as it has been run and is today.

4) Comment by misterfalcon - 10/09/2012

Let's celebrate 10 years of the TSA as a multi-billion dollar money-pit that employs the unemployable at wages that are just low enough to justify theft on a massive scale by its employees. Let's celebrate that people who didn't graduate High School are empowered by the TSA to routinely violate sacred constitutional rights. Let's celebrate the fact that the TSA lies as often as its PR people open their mouths, about IONizing radiation from their machines, about the fact that said machines were said to have no image storage capability, until leaked images of naked travelers started showing up on the internet, because, see above, the TSA employs people who would not otherwise be trusted to drive a cab. Let's celebrate the thousands of unjust arrests, incidents of bullying, intimidation, and out right assault that the gainfully employed GED recipients of the TSA have perpetrated upon citizens whose only complaints were that they, themselves, or their children, were uncomfortable being groped by people unqualified to change bed pans in the name of safety. Let's celebrate 10 years of ridiculous policies regarding soft- drinks, food, and nail-clippers. Let's celebrate that after billions BILLIONS of dollars not one, single, terrorist NOT ONE has been intercepted by the TSA. God Bless America.

5) Comment by Chucky - 10/09/2012

@ Preppy6917- I was thinking more on the line that Israel uses, and I said nothing about race as that is not an indication.You were quick to jump on race, skin color,are you sensitive about that?. As for 'huffy' after 23 years law enforcement I know 'huffy' and would never give an agent a bad time for 'checking me out' Profiling can mean not checking the 2 year old as you would an 18 year old ( age profiling ) the list goes on and is an art as well as a science. Happy flying and don't jump. to conclusions.

6) Comment by Preppy6917 - 10/09/2012

Chucky: Ahhhh....I see. You're one of those huffy "Do I LOOK like a terrorist?" ignorant types that I encounter regularly at the airport (frequent traveler here--47 segments so far this year alone). At 31 years old, being fair-skinned and blond, do you know who I resemble? Timothy McVeigh, the Oklahoma City bomber. Your suggestion that racial profiling would be effective is ridiculous--just as much, if not more, hate exists within the United States than outside of it.

7) Comment by Chucky - 10/09/2012

@Preppy6917 -You are correct, I fly only about once or twice a year. I thought those who have cleared TSA security back ground checks were able to go thru TSA check points faster. Other than that I can think of no reason to allow first class on any flight ( airline ) to enter the security area ahead of anyone else. I imagine that the practice of doing so does 'discriminate' but for my part TSA does not ' discriminate' enough as in profiling and country of origin.

8) Comment by Preppy6917 - 10/09/2012

Chucky: You don't travel often, do you? In major airports across the US, there are specific lines established specifically for first class/premium passengers. It isn't something that one boneheaded TSA agent did; it's built into the airport infrastructure. What is the need for the separation? Will there soon be special lines at the DMV for the owners of luxury cars?

9) Comment by Chucky - 10/09/2012

@Bighug - I understand It was TSA (no love lost by me ) I also understand that they should have more agents for the longer line. I realize that you think, do not like, or feel, that the US government should not separate boarders by ticket fare, i agree ( do not know why they did), I just do not believe that you and your fellow humans in the long line were being "discriminated against", It was just stupidity on the part of TSA and not some forethought of to discriminate.

10) Comment by Preppy6917 - 10/09/2012

I'm with you Bighug. Premium services are fine in free enterprise; not so much in government.

11) Comment by Bighug - 10/09/2012

Read what I said again, Chucky. It was TSA that had the two lines after we had checked our baggage, not the airline or the airport. I don't begrudge first class passengers getting what they pay the airline for, but the US government should not separate boarders by ticket fare. TSA agents prevented us frome getting in their shorter line. This has never been the case at any other airport I've travelled through, and I've been through many.

12) Comment by [e-mail] - 10/09/2012

Starks is justifying his existence, nothing more. Anyone who takes an honest look at TSA will conclude that the overfed, overstaffed, over paid, and over unionized entity has been an utter failure in every way that matters for our security. It has done nothing except to harass, humiliate, and intimidate the American public and has never caught a terrorist trying to fly. They refuse to bother anyone who might be a terrorist in fear of bad PC press.

13) Comment by jdk944 - 10/09/2012

Mr. Starks is a "government manager" trying to justify another unneeded federal program. Designed around "feel good" intentions but really just a major waste of money while continuing to infringe on our rights and liberties!!

14) Comment by Chucky - 10/09/2012

@ Bighug- “discriminated against us” Same number of agents for both lines, your line was longer so you want more agents. To me that makes sense, But to say your “discriminated against” just shows your mind-set. Not that this is bad, but that it is a victim point of view.

15) Comment by Bighug - 10/09/2012

Several years ago my wife and I were waiting to be checked by TSA agents before boarding a flight from Las Vegas. There was one line for first class passengers, and one for the rest of us. I understand that the extra cost of a first class ticket buys the passenger special privileges from the airline, but we were held up because TSA also had us go through separate lines. Ours was much longer, with the same number of agents, almost causing us to miss our plane. Subsequent questions to TSA about why a government agency discriminated against us were unanswered. Maybe Mr. Starks can give me an answer.

16) Comment by Bighug - 10/09/2012

Several years ago my wife and I were waiting to be checked by TSA agents before boarding a flight from Las Vegas. There was one line for first class passengers, and one for the rest of us. I understand that the extra cost of a first class ticket buys the passenger special privileges from the airline, but we were held up because TSA also had us go through separate lines. Ours was much longer, with the same number of agents, almost causing us to miss our plane. Subsequent questions to TSA about why a government agency discriminated against us were unanswered. Maybe Mr. Starks can give me an answer.