TSA Says Report “Overstates” Security Pass Problems

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) (Web site: www.tsa.gov) contends a report by the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General’s Office (Web site: www.dhs.gov/xoig) “overstates…deficiencies and associated security risk” of TSA’s policies, procedures and internal controls used to manage airport employee security badges, IDs, and uniforms.

Although the Inspector General’s Office (OIG) declined to release a copy of the report to the media today — including Cheapflights — USA Today was able to obtain a copy. The newspaper quotes the OIG’s report as saying people using improper badges, IDs, or uniforms could pose a real security problem. The report says they “could significantly increase an airport’s vulnerability to unauthorized access and, particularly, a wide variety of terrorist and criminal acts.”

Noting that the report “was completed several months ago,” in a prepared statement TSA maintains it has made “significant strides” in addressing the issue. The agency charged with safeguarding airports around the country contends, “any risk…has been reduced to a negligible concern.”

The issue of unauthorized access to airport “sterile” airport areas - those beyond security - has been simmering for some time. Especially vexing to veteran industry observers is the notion that people posing as airport employees could penetrate off-limits areas.

© Cheapflights Ltd Jerry Chandler