News of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the United States.
TSA revamped its airport screening operations, introducing Checkpoint Evolution at Baltimore Washington International Airport in April 2008, which emphasizes the human element of security, and made significant technology and process improvements. Nearly 30 percent of the TSA work force has completed a new two-day training module called “ENGAGE!” aimed at fostering a calm environment at the checkpoint to improve security. TSA has deployed whole body imaging technology at 18 airports and 500 advanced technology x-ray machines at 20 airports to more effectively screen carry-on luggage. TSA expanded its family lane concept in November 2008 to every airport in America to enable families, individuals unfamiliar with air travel procedures and travelers with special needs to go through security at their own pace. This is all in response to listening to the concerns of our sector stakeholders and the public, while maintaining the appropriate level of security. <br><br>The TSA is part of the federal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) which says it has achieved considerable success in protecting the USA from dangerous people and goods, securing the nation’s critical infrastructure, strengthening emergency preparedness and response and unifying department operations. <br><br>The department – with some 218,000 employees – points to more than seven years without an attack on US soil.<br><br>And meanwhile, in 2008, more than 715,000 port workers enrolled in the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) biometric credential program, and thousands more are processed each week in an average nine-minute enrollment time. More than 1.2 million dockers, truck drivers, port staff and others requiring unescorted access to secure areas of ports will be required to obtain a TWIC for port access on a phased-in basis by April 15, 2009. This is described by the DHS as critical to lessen the potential for criminal and terrorist exploitation of US ports.
