After two weeks of massive lines at airport security checkpoints across the country, the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) has replaced Kelly Hoggan, the TSA’s top security official.
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Neffenger told a news conference on Friday that his agency was accelerating plans to add security staff and bomb-sniffing dogs at Chicago’s two major airports after a “breakdown” that included not having enough checkpoint lanes open.
Three former TSA employees recently testified in Congress that they were retaliated against after “directed reassignments”, where employees who have highlighted wrongdoing within the administration are shifted to other assignments.
“I do not now have a plan to remove Mr. Hoggan”, said Neffenger, who became TSA administrator in July, after the allegations had been lodged against Hoggan.
Effective immediately, Deputy Assistant Administrator Darby LaJoye will serve as the Acting Assistant Administrator of the Office of Security Operations. The Incident Command Center will “closely track daily screening operations, shifting officers, canine resources, the National Deployment Force and other resources to meet mission demands in advance of predicted passenger volume”, Neffenger wrote in the email.
Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., wasn’t as impressed by the move.
Beyond the lengthy security lines, lawmakers have been pressing the TSA to address allegations of mismanagement.
TSA agents failed 67 out of 70 trials put to them.
But representatives for American Airlines, United Airlines and the city’s department of aviation all reported shorter lines at O’Hare since Friday. Fears have mounted that those lines will only get longer and more flights will be missed as peak summer travel hits. “We’re definitely trending in the right direction”.
Neffenger took over leadership of the agency in July 2015, one month after auditors smuggled fake weapons and explosives past TSA screeners in an eye-watering 96% of attempts.
Batt said their longest wait time in 2016 was 36 minutes which came the day after the Brussels attack when lots of people showed up early.
McCarthy said the new management team at O’Hare was not meant to replace people, but to help people already there.
Allison works under a new chief of operations, Gary Rasicot, said Neffenger.
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Under the TSA’s “Screening Partnership Program”, 22 airports have been allowed to contract with private companies to administer airport screening operations.
