WASHINGTON — In an attempt to get ahead of a busier than normal summer travel season, complaints about growing wait times and global security threats for U.S. air travelers, U.S. security officials have unveiled a potential solution.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson and Transportation Security Administration Administrator Peter Neffenger went to Reagan National Airport to announce a 10-point plan.
“Our task is to keep passengers moving, but also and most importantly, keep passengers safe. In this, we cannot and we will not compromise the security of aviation or the American people,” Johnson said.
During a news conference at the airport, Johnson said he and Neffenger have, for months, monitored “increased wait times at airports across this country. And we’ve developed an aggressive plan to deal with it and to provide continued aviation security for the American people.”
The plan has 10 components:
- Effective immediately, DHS is maximizing the use of overtime for transportation security officers to meet the demands at screening checkpoints.
- Expedited the hiring of more than 700 officers to bring them on board by June 15.
- Additional canine teams are being added to screen passengers at passenger checkpoints.
- TSA administrator Peter Neffenger is authorizing federal security directors at airports to use increased flexibility in providing additional training for TSA staff screening passengers checkpoints.
- DHS, TSA, the airlines and airports are developing specific plans to alleviate wait times at the nation’s busiest airports.
- DHS, TSA, the airlines and airports working to reduce the size and number of carry-on luggage.
- Soliciting help from the airlines on nonsecurity related tasks.
- The “TSA Innovation Task Force” has been created to augment TSA; and DHS Science & Technology Directorate research and development investment to find solutions to increase passenger from and security.
- Increased promotion of TSA PreCheck and urging employers to reimburse employees for sign-up fee.
- Working with Congress to secure additional financial resources to cover TSA needs.
Johnson encouraged travelers to “have the appropriate expectations” as they arrive at airports this summer and “contemplate increased wait times as you travel.”
