The trade group Airlines for America said Congress should reverse a 2013 decision that diverted $12.6 billion in passenger-security fees to reduce the federal budget deficit.
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A steep drop in fuel costs over the last 18 months helped domestic fares decline almost 4 percent in 2015 compared with the previous year, according to federal statistics. Passenger Screening Teams include dogs that are trained to stand at the front of security lines to scrutinize passengers.
You won’t have to remove your shoes or jacket, and you’ll be able to keep your laptop and shampoo in your bag.
TSA union leaders hungry for new members and fattened coffers don’t care about your security.
Explanations for the lengthy delays are nearly as numerous as the moss-growing flyers waiting to go through security and range from a lack of TSA funding, to baggage, to fees and to passengers who don’t bother to leave prohibited items at home.
According to the TSA, canine teams have the ability to screen tens of thousands of passengers each day. “We found layers of security simply missing”, John Roth, the department’s inspector general, reported. This will allow TSOs to provide effective service at airports that are expected to have the highest passenger volume. They are also adding more police officers to focus on potential vulnerabilities. This is a better policy approach than to assume every passenger may have an explosive device or weapon hidden somewhere on their person or in their carry-on luggage. Yep, remember that? You know, the very reason the TSA was created in the first place? This incentive lends itself to both smart business and efficient security.
It’s also encouraged to sign up for TSA Pre-Check.
US airlines raised $3.8 billion from bag fees a year ago, according to the government. Administrator Neffenger and I are working with the aviation industry to develop airport-specific actions plans for the nation’s busiest airports.
It doesn’t take much reading between the lines – forgive us – to figure that TSA’s potentially risky screw-ups, plus a new administrator who wants to keep his job, means more methodical screenings and longer security lines. The worst waits have been at the largest airports, which see the majority of fliers, and only during peak hours.
Neffenger says policies are being changed and more overtime is authorized so that doesn’t happen again.
The agency called the funds “a good down payment” but said they needed additional resources to ease the screener shortage.
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As the TSA struggles to get wait times under control, officials have vowed they will not compromise safety.
