He says the center will track daily screening operations and shift officers, canine units and other resources to shorten lines.
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Little over 24 hours after it was announced top Transportation Security Administration (TSA) official, Kelly Hoggan, was removed from his position in wake of congressional scrutiny earlier this month, the oft-maligned agency found itself the focus of yet another Congressional hearing.
The chairman of the panel, Republican Michael McCaul of Texas, says Americans are “angry and frustrated” heading into the summer travel season.
The TSA faces the challenge-what members of Congress described on Wednesday as an “impossible task”-of moving travelers through security checkpoints quickly and preventing long lines that have plagued airports in recent weeks, while also maintaining high security standards, especially in light of the global threat of terrorism”.
US airlines and airports, including Denver International Airport, are spending millions on added workers to avoid a repeat of long security lines, as the coming Memorial Day weekend kicks off what’s expected to be a record year for summer travel.
The TSA has not said when smart lanes might be placed in other airports.
In Norfolk, the average security-line wait time in the morning has been 4 to 10 minutes, and up to 25 minutes in the peak. The airline industry has criticized the TSA for a lack of up-to-date information – you can readily find information on highway traffic delays but not delays in airport security lines.
On Wednesday, Peter Neffenger stressed the TSA is working to improve customer relations and improve employee morale. He added that the bureaucracy at the TSA “has gotten weaker”. Hoggan was replaced by Darby LaJoye, a former federal security director in Los Angeles and NY.
Johnson and some senators have also asked that airlines temporarily reduce or eliminate fees for checked bags to cut down on the amount of bags security screeners have to inspect at checkpoints.
The bins then go on an automated conveyor belt.
Besides reducing fees, airlines should enforce rules limiting carry-ons to one bag plus one small personal item, Neffenger said.
“Asking passengers to arrive three hours early for domestic flights is unacceptable”, said Rep. Bonnie Thompson (D-MS). Richmond, who represents New Orleans, said his region depends on tourism.
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An incident in which 450 passengers were stranded in Chicago overnight because long security lines made them miss their flights was preventable and should not happen again, Neffenger said.
