Benefits of TSA Security

Introduction

Transportation security administration provides mandatory air cargo security requirements to the air cargo industry through procedures contained in the Aircraft Operator Standard Security Program, and the certified cargo screening program order. Most of the Transportation Security Administration's $8.1 billion 2011 fiscal budget — or about 71 percent — is spent on securing our airlines (Friel p. 49). Only about 1 percent is spent on securing surface transportation.

Unlike airport security, which relies on high-tech scanning equipment and heavy video surveillance, transportation security is dependent on eyes and ears of the general population. Despite the effective running and accomplishments of this department, there are several areas for improvement. This paper argues that the safety enforcements of TSA are in Americans' best interest. With terrorists finding exotic ways to injure people, this response is appropriate. In proving this thesis, the paper provides the accomplishments and benefits of TSA and highlights areas where improvements could better the efficacy of TSA.

Discussion

One of the first facts to come out of the investigations into September 11 was that the FAA had failed to provide the necessary airport security to prevent the September 11 attacks (Marks p. 2). Rather than reform the old system, a new agency, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), was proposed to handle a revamped federal government security program. This new agency was to be housed in the Department of Transportation (DOT). Congress passed the Aviation and Transportation Security Act (ATSA) in record time, and President George W. Bush signed it into law on November 19, 2001 (FinancialWire p. 1). The new legislation made the TSA responsible for all screening issues, including hiring, testing, training, firing, and deploying screening personnel at all airports in the country.

Accomplishments of TSA

TSA offers detect, on-average, four firearms per day in carryon bags at security checkpoints and keep them off airplanes. TSA has deployed approximately 2,800 Behavior Detection Officers at airports across the country. The behavior detection program has lead to more than 2,200 arrests at airports (Defense Daily 23). TSA also utilizes more than 400 TSA explosives specialists, including aviation and multimodal environments. And when it comes to advanced technologies, TSA continues to see it as an integral layer of security.

The next accomplishment is that of a ceramic knife, detected by AIT at a checkpoint in Miami. This weapon could have escaped detection if we relied solely on walk through metal detectors to screen passengers. On the next slide is a small packet of cocaine, discovered by our officers in Indianapolis. It's important to note that what this shows is AIT's abilities to detect even the smallest concealed items. In this case, the anomaly was contraband but it shows the technology's capabilities at detecting very small amounts of powders and other substances-like explosives- that could pose a threat to the aircraft (U.S. Department of Homeland Security 5-6). Here again, our officers used the technology to detect a small amount of concealed, illegal drugs-this occurred in Jacksonville-and the marijuana cigarettes were discovered discretely hidden ...