The Port Authority of NY and New Jersey recently called the TSA screening services inadequate and said it may look to hire private security to do their job.
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According to the TSA, a few things are making security lines unbearable, such as a steady decrease of budgeted TSA staffers over the years; more robust screenings thanks to laxness on the part of the agency; and the spike in airlines charging for checked bags, prompting more travelers to bring carry-on luggage and testing the “one carry-on, one personal item” rule.
Massachusetts Democratic Rep. Stephen Lynch summed up the dilemma: “When we criticize you today about having long lines and taking too long to screen people – next week if there is a breach we will haul you up here again and lambaste you for not being more thorough”.
The union representing TSA officers called on Congress to pass emergency legislation funding the hiring of an additional 6,000 full-time screeners.
Secretary Johnson says those measures won’t solve the issue completely, and despite the frustrations of some, that officials will not risk passenger safety for shorter wait times. “TSOs are burdened with growing demands they can not meet at current staffing levels, and passengers are faced with unnecessarily excessive wait times”.
Long security waits further cut that advantage, said Myers, making Albany “the place to be”.
“I find it takes longer to get through the actual airport than the flight you want to go to”, passenger Mark Rosen said.
This has led to closed checkpoints and backups stretching one, two and even three hours at airports nationwide. Fliers will likely face massive security lines at airports across the country this summer, with airlines already warning passengers to arrive at least two hours early or risk missing their flight.
So Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson went to Washington’s Reagan National Airport Friday to give assurances that he feels the pain of air travelers and that help is on the way.
The TSA now employs about 42,000 screeners, down from 47,000 in 2013.
“This is going to be a rough summer; there is no doubt about it”, Gary Rasicot, TSA chief of operations, told the New York Times. Those new staff will be in addition to 576 TSA officers added this year, he said. However, not enough people enrolled.
The dogs are being used to select passengers for expedited screening. Shoes, belts and light jackets stay on.
Johnson said the government has a plan to deal with the lines, although travelers should expect to wait as they travel this summer. Laptops and liquids stay in bags.
Enrolling in U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Global Entry program for worldwide travel provides TSA PreCheck eligibility in addition to easing entry into the United States.
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Airport officials praised TSA’s efforts Friday, but said more steps should be taken. Still, at that pace, it will take more than four years to reach 25 million members.
