Most of us have heard the phrase, “See something? Say something.” This phrase was adopted by New York City initially after the 9/11 attacks. The phrase was quickly adopted by the TSA as a mantra to encourage passengers and airport workers to report any suspicious activity, people and baggage. In theory, crowdsourcing an active watch… Continue Reading
With repeated reports of detection failures during airport screening checkpoints, aviation security professionals discussed growing concerns during the AAAE/TSA/DHS Annual Aviation Security Summit in Washington DC in December 2017. The fact is that screening detection will continue to improve but likely will still not get a passing grade. The bad news is, a recent DHS… Continue Reading
The TSA was all but was forced to admit in 2017 that their x-ray technology cannot see the latest iteration of bombs threatening aircraft, bombs concealed in large electronic devices or apparently buried under too much food in your carry-on bag. During the AAAE/TSA/DHS Annual Aviation Security Summit in Washington DC in December 2017, the rollout… Continue Reading
We have all heard the reports of checkpoint screening led by the TSA failing at rates as high as 90%. During the AAAE/TSA/DHS Annual Aviation Security Summit in Washington DC in December 2017, industry professionals continued to debate methodology to improve our commercial aviation security screening protocols. In 2018, we will continue to see changes… Continue Reading
The quick answer to the question of whether the threat to commercial aviation will continue is yes. At the AAAE/TSA/DHS Annual Aviation Security Summit in Washington DC in December 2017, Kevin K. McAleenan, Acting Commissioner, CBP, stated that commercial aviation security threats “…have been a constant since before 9/11. Our most consistent adversaries see aviation… Continue Reading
The recent security incident at Miami International Airport begs the question whether this a failure or a success of airport security? From an airport security perspective this is a success because the individual was not able to either access an aircraft to place a prohibited item on board, nor cause any other act of unlawful interference. However, others will… Continue Reading
TSA just posted a new YouTube video highlighting several layers in aviation security. The graphic they use has been around for quite sometime and is more focused on layers that TSA is directly responsible for. However, I also like to add that there are other significant layers that are often left off of this list.… Continue Reading
In the early days of aviation security, passengers had to have their belongings sorted through by a screener. X-ray machines were brought in so that passengers wouldn’t have to have their personal belongings dumped out for all to see, and to make the process faster and more efficient. With the TSA announcement of expansion of… Continue Reading
By Jeffrey C. Price TSA and the airlines have rolled out several new programs this week. First is the deployment of biometrics for boarding aircraft and at the screening checkpoints. Second is the deployment of CT machines into the screening checkpoint. What will these mean in terms of your security while flying? Passenger Biometrics… Continue Reading
By Jeffrey C. Price TSA revealed a new pilot program that has passengers taking their laptops and more, out of their bags. In a statement released on May 24, 2017, TSA said: TSA Testing Adjusted Accessible Property Screening The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) informed ACI-NA that it is testing adjusted screening procedures for carry-on… Continue Reading