Transportation Security Administration facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Transportation Security Administration

TSA seal
TSA wordmark
TSA flag
Agency overview
Formed	November 19, 2001; 23 years ago (2001-11-19)
Preceding agency	Federal Aviation Administration – Office of Civil Aviation Security
Jurisdiction	Transportation systems inside, and connecting to, the United States of America
Headquarters	Springfield, Fairfax County, Virginia U.S.
Employees	54,200+ (FY 2020)
Annual budget	$9.70 billion (FY 2023)
Agency executives	David Pekoske, Administrator Holly Canevari, Deputy Administrator
Parent department	Department of Homeland Security

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that has authority over the security of transportation systems within, and connecting to, the United States. It was created as a response to the September 11 attacks to improve airport security procedures and consolidate air travel security under a combined federal law enforcement and regulatory agency.

The TSA develops key policies to protect the U.S. transportation system, including highways, railroads, bus networks, mass transit systems, ports, pipelines, and intermodal freight facilities. It fulfills this mission in conjunction with other federal, state, local and foreign government partners. However, the TSA's primary mission is airport security and the prevention of aircraft hijacking. It is responsible for screening passengers and baggage at more than 450 U.S. airports, employing screening officers, explosives detection dog handlers, and bomb technicians in airports, and armed Federal Air Marshals and Federal Flight Deck Officers on aircraft.

At first a part of the Department of Transportation, the TSA became part of DHS in March 2003. It is currently led by Administrator David Pekoske and is headquartered in Springfield, Virginia. As of the fiscal year 2023, the TSA operated on a budget of approximately $9.70 billion and employed over 47,000 Transportation Security Officers, Transportation Security Specialists, Federal Air Marshals, and other security personnel.

The TSA has screening processes and regulations related to passengers and checked and carry-on luggage, including identification verification, pat-downs, full-body scanners, and explosives screening. Since its inception, the agency has been subject to criticism and controversy regarding the effectiveness of various procedures, as well as incidents of baggage theft, data security, and allegations of prejudicial treatment towards certain ethnic groups.

History and mission

TSA's seal when first established under the Department of Transportation.

Historical TSA design used on TSO uniform patch, coin, and Year of Service pins.

The TSA was created largely in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, which revealed weaknesses in existing airport security procedures. At the time, a myriad of private security companies managed air travel security under contract to individual airlines or groups of airlines that used a given airport or terminal facility. Proponents of placing the government in charge of airport security, including Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, argued that only a single federal agency could best protect passenger aviation.

Congress agreed, and authorized the creation of the TSA in the Aviation and Transportation Security Act, which was signed into law by President George W. Bush on November 19, 2001. Bush nominated John Magaw on December 10, and he was confirmed by the Senate the following January. The agency was initially placed under the United States Department of Transportation but was moved to the Department of Homeland Security when that department was formed on March 9, 2003.

The new agency's effort to hire screeners to begin operating security checkpoints at airports represents a case of a large-scale staffing project completed over a short period. The only effort in U.S. history that came close to it was the testing of recruits for the armed forces in World War II. During the period from February to December 2002, 1.7 million applicants were assessed for 55,000 screening jobs.

Administration and organization

TSA former headquarters in Pentagon City, Arlington, Virginia

Leadership

When TSA was part of the Department of Transportation, the head of the agency was referred to as the Undersecretary of Transportation for Security. Following the move to the Department of Homeland Security in March 2003, the position was reclassified as the administrator of the Transportation Security Administration.

There have been seven administrators and six acting administrators in the TSA's 19-year history. Several have come to the job after previously serving as Coast Guard flag officers, including Loy, Neffenger, and Pekoske.

Following the passage of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, which included a provision known as the TSA Modernization Act, the administrator's term was set as a five-year term retroactive to the start of current Administrator David Pekoske's term. It also made the deputy administrator a politically appointed position.

#	Picture	Name	Period	Notes
1		John Magaw	January 28, 2002 – July 18, 2002	Under Secretary of Transportation for Security
2		James Loy	July 19, 2002 – December 7, 2003	Under Secretary of Transportation for Security until Department of Homeland Security transition.
3		David M. Stone	December 8, 2003 – June 3, 2005	Acting until July 2004 when confirmed by United States Senate.
—		Kenneth Kasprisin	June 4, 2005 – July 26, 2005	Acting
4		Kip Hawley	July 27, 2005 – January 20, 2009
—		Gale Rossides	January 20, 2009 – June 24, 2010	Acting
5		John S. Pistole	June 25, 2010 – December 31, 2014
—		Melvin J. Carraway	January 1, 2015 – June 1, 2015	Acting, reassigned to DHS Office of State and Local Law Enforcement following leak of DHS Inspector General red team test results showing screening failures at TSA checkpoints.
—		Mark Hatfield Jr.	June 1, 2015 – June 4, 2015	Acting
—		Francis X. Taylor	June 4, 2015 – July 3, 2015	Acting, served concurrently as Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Intelligence and Analysis.
6		Peter V. Neffenger	July 4, 2015 – January 20, 2017
—		Huban A. Gowadia	January 20, 2017 – August 10, 2017	Acting
7		David Pekoske	August 10, 2017 – present	Served concurrently as acting Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security from April 11 to November 13, 2019, with day-to-day operations delegated to Acting Deputy Administrator Patricia Cogswell. Served concurrently as acting Secretary of Homeland Security from January 20, 2021 until Alejandro Mayorkas was confirmed by the Senate. While serving as acting secretary, TSA was overseen by Executive Assistant Administrator for Security Operations Darby LaJoye.

Organizational structure

At the helm of the TSA is the Administrator, who leads the organization's efforts in safeguarding the nation's airports, railways, seaports, and other critical transportation infrastructure. Assisting the Administrator is a Deputy Administrator, whose role is to provide support and guidance in executing the agency's mission. In addition, the TSA benefits from the expertise and leadership of several Deputy Assistant Administrators and other executive officers, who contribute their knowledge and skills to various aspects of the agency's operations. Together, this structured leadership team forms the backbone of the TSA, working collectively to uphold and enhance the security of the nation's transportation networks. The Executive Assistant Administrator for Law Enforcement is also the Executive Director of the Federal Air Marshal Service.

Rank structure

Headquarters

• Administrator of the TSA
• Deputy Administrator
  • Chief of Staff
    • Assistant Administrator, Legislative Affairs
    • Assistant Administrator, Strategic Communications and Public Affairs
    • Executive Director, Strategy, Policy Coordination, and Innovation
      • Chief Innovation Officer
  • Executive Assistant Administrator, Enterprise Support
    • Assistant Administrator/Component Acquisition Executive, Acquisition Program Management
    • Assistant Administrator/Head Contracting Authority, Contracting and Procurement
    • Assistant Administrator, Human Capital
    • Assistant Administrator/Chief Information Officer, Information Technology
    • Assistant Administrator, Operations Management
    • Assistant Administrator, Security and Administrative Services
    • Assistant Administrator, Training and Development
  • Executive Assistant Administrator, Law Enforcement/Federal Air Marshal Service
    • Assistant Administrator, Field Operations
    • Assistant Administrator, Flight Operations
    • Assistant Administrator, Operations Management
  • Executive Assistant Administrator, Operations Support
    • Assistant Administrator, Enrollment Services and Vetting Programs
    • Assistant Administrator, Intelligence and Analysis
    • Assistant Administrator, Policy, Plans, and Engagement
    • Assistant Administrator/Component Requirements Executive, Requirements and Capabilities Analysis
  • Executive Assistant Administrator, Security Operations
    • Assistant Administrator, Compliance
    • Assistant Administrator, Domestic Aviation Operations
    • Assistant Administrator, International Operations
    • Assistant Administrator, Operations Management
    • Assistant Administrator, Surface Operations
  • Chief Counsel
  • Chief Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility
  • Assistant Administrator/Chief Financial Officer, Chief Finance Office
  • Assistant Administrator, Civil Rights and Liberties, Ombudsman and Traveler Engagement
  • Assistant Administrator, Inspection
  • Assistant Administrator, Investigations

Regional administration

• Regional Surface Director (RSD)

Spoke–hub or Category X airport-level administration

• Federal Security Director (FSD)
• Deputy Federal Security Director (DFSD)
  • Assistant Federal Security Director for Mission Support (AFSD-MS)
  • Assistant Federal Security Director for Screening (AFSD-S)
  • Assistant Federal Security Director for Inspection (AFSD-I)
  • Assistant Federal Security Director for Law Enforcement (AFSD-LE)
  • Assistant Federal Security Director Generalist (AFSD-G)

Airport-level

• Transportation Security Manager (TSM)
  • Supervisory Transportation Security Officer (STSO)
    • Lead Transportation Security Officer (LTSO)
      • Transportation Security Officer (TSO)

New headquarters

In August 2017, the General Services Administration announced a new headquarters for the TSA would be built in Springfield, Virginia. The new, 625,000-square-foot headquarters was built near the outskirts of Fort Belvoir and the Franconia-Springfield Metro station, and cost $316 million.

Insignia

TSA explosives specialist vehicle.

On September 11, 2018, TSA adopted a new flag representing its core values and founding principles. The design features a white, graphically stylized American eagle sitting centrally located inside rings of red and white against a field of blue, with its dynamically feathered wings outstretched in a pose signifying protection, vigilance, and commitment. The eagle’s wings, which break through the red and white containment rings, indicate freedom of movement. There are nine stars and 11 rays emanating out from the top of the eagle to reference September 11. There is also a representation of land (roads) and sea which is representative of the modes of transportation.

Operations

Finances

For fiscal year 2020, the TSA had a budget of roughly $7.68 billion.

Part of the TSA budget comes from a $5.60 per-passenger fee, also known as the September 11 Security Fee, for each one-way air-travel trip originating in the United States, not to exceed $11.20 per round-trip. In 2020, this passenger fee totaled $2.4 billion or roughly 32% of the budget allocated by Congress that year.

Additionally, a small portion of TSA's budget comes from the loose change and small denomination cash left behind by travelers at airport security checkpoints, which TSA has been allowed to retain since 2005 under Section 44945 of title 49, United States Code. From FY 2008 through FY 2018, a total of $6,904,035.98 has been left behind, including a record $960,105.49 in FY 2018. In fiscal year 2019, $926,030.44 was unclaimed.

Airport screening

Private screening did not disappear entirely under the TSA, which allows airports to opt-out of the federal screening and hire firms to do the job instead. Such firms must still get TSA approval under its Screening Partnership Program (SPP) and follow TSA procedures. Among the handful of U.S. airports with privately operated checkpoints are San Francisco International Airport, Kansas City International Airport, Greater Rochester International Airport, Tupelo Regional Airport, Key West International Airport, and Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport. However, the bulk of airport screening in the U.S. is done by the TSA's 46,661 (as of FY 2018) Transportation Security Officers (TSOs). They examine passengers and their baggage, and perform other security duties within airports, including controlling entry and exit points, and monitoring the areas near their checkpoints.

Employees

TSA officer carrying a bin of prohibited items that passengers have surrendered.

Among the types of TSA employees are:

Uniforms

In 2008, TSA officers began wearing new uniforms that have a royal blue duty shirt, dark blue (almost black) pants, and black belt. The first airport to introduce the new uniforms was Baltimore-Washington International Airport. Starting on September 11, 2008, all TSOs began wearing the new uniform. One stripe on the outer edge of each shoulder board denotes a TSO, two stripes a Lead TSO, and three a Supervisory TSO.

Officers are issued badges and shoulder boards after completing a trainee period including 3-week academy at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco, Georgia.

A Transportation Security Officer shoulder board

Incidents

COVID-19 pandemic in the United States

TSA continued working throughout the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. As of December 31, 2020, TSA cumulatively had 4,978 federal employees test positive for COVID-19: 4,219 of those employees recovered, and 12 died as a result of the virus.

Screening processes and regulations

TSA agent screening a passenger.

Passenger and carry-on screening

Identification requirements

The TSA requires passengers 18 and older to show a valid ID at the security checkpoint before boarding their flight. Valid forms of identification include passports from the U.S. or a foreign government, state or tribal-issued photo identification, or military ID. Passengers that do not have ID are often still allowed to fly if their identity can be verified through alternate means satisfying a certificate of identity.

REAL ID requirements

Passed by Congress in 2005, the Real ID Act established minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards and prohibits federal agencies, like TSA, from accepting licenses and identification cards for official purposes from states that do not meet these standards. Implementation has been deferred for over a decade by DHS, and enforcement has never begun.

Current list of acceptable IDs

• Federally recognized:
  • Driver's licenses, enhanced driver's licenses or other photo identity cards issued by U.S. state or territorial Departments of Motor Vehicles.
  • Tribal photo identification issued by a tribe federally recognized by the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs
  • Canadian provincial or territorial driver's licence, photo card or Indigenous Services Canada card
  • Passport issued by a recognized foreign country
  • Airline employee or flight crew ID
  • Security identification display area (SIDA) badge issued by the airport.
• Federally issued:
  • HSPD-12/ FIPS 201 PIV cards issued to federal employees and contractors.
• U.S. Department of State-issued:
  • United States passport
  • United States passport card
  • Border Crossing Card
• U.S Department of Homeland Security-issued:
  • CBP trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
  • USCIS refugee travel document
  • USCIS re-entry permit
  • USCIS permanent resident card (aka green card)
  • USCIS employment authorization document (aka work permit)
  • TSA Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
  • Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC)
• U.S. Department of Defense-issued:
  • Common Access Card (CAC)
  • Uniformed Services Privilege and Identification Card
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs-issued:
  • Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

Passenger names are compared against the No Fly List, a list of about 21,000 names (as of 2012^[update]) of suspected terrorists who are not allowed to board. Passenger names are also compared against a longer list of selectees; passengers whose names match names from this list receive a more thorough screening before being potentially allowed to board. The effectiveness of the lists has been criticized on the basis of errors in how those lists are maintained, for concerns that the lists are unconstitutional, and for its ineffectiveness at stopping Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who attempted to detonate plastic explosives in his underwear, from boarding an aircraft. At the airport security checkpoint, passengers are screened to ensure they are not carrying prohibited items. These include most sorts of sharp objects, many sporting goods such as baseball bats and hockey sticks, guns or other weapons, many sorts of tools, flammable liquids (except for conventional lighters), many forms of chemicals and paint. In addition, passengers are limited to 3.4 US fluid ounces (100 ml) of almost any liquid or gel, which must be presented at the checkpoint in a clear, one-quart zip-top bag. These restrictions on liquids were a reaction to the 2006 transatlantic aircraft plot.

The number of passengers who have been detected bringing firearms onto airplanes in their carry-on bags has increased in recent years, from 976 in 2009 to 4,239 in 2018, according to the TSA. Indeed, a new record high for firearms found in carry-on bags has been set every year since 2008. In 2010 an anonymous source told ABC News that undercover agents managed to bring weapons through security nearly 70 percent of the time at some major airports. Firearms can be legally checked in checked luggage on domestic flights.

In some cases, government leaders, members of the US military and law-enforcement officials are allowed to bypass security screening.

TSA PreCheck

TSA PreCheck logo

In a program that began in October 2011, the TSA's PreCheck Program allows selected members of American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Virgin America, Southwest Airlines, Air Canada, JetBlue, and Sun Country Airlines frequent flyer programs, members of Global Entry, Free and Secure Trade (FAST), NEXUS, SENTRI and members of the US military, along with cadets and midshipmen of the United States service academies to receive expedited screening for domestic and select international itineraries. As of March 2019, this program was available at more than 200 airports. After completing a background check, being fingerprinted, and paying an $85 fee, travelers will get a Known Traveler Number. The program has led to complaints of unfairness and longer wait lines. Aeromexico, Etihad Airways, Cape Air, and Seaborne Airlines joined the program bringing the total number of member carriers to 16. On December 15, 2015, the program expanded to include Allegiant Air. On June 21, 2016, it was announced that Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines will also join the program starting in the fall of 2016. On August 31, 2016, the program expanded to include Lufthansa, and on September 29, 2016, Frontier Airlines was added. In 2017, 11 more airlines were added on January 26, and another seven were added on May 25. As of March 2019, a total to 65 carriers were participating in the program.

In October 2013, the TSA announced that it had begun searching a wide variety of government and private databases for information about passengers before they arrive at the airport. They did not say which databases were involved, but TSA has access to past travel itineraries, property records, physical characteristics, law enforcement, and intelligence information, among others.

Large printer cartridges ban

After the October 2010 cargo planes bomb plot, in which cargo containing laser printers with toner cartridges filled with explosives were discovered on separate cargo planes, the U.S. prohibited passengers from carrying certain printer cartridges on flights. The TSA said it would ban toner and ink cartridges weighing over 16 ounces (453 grams) from all passenger flights. The ban applies to both carry-on bags and checked bags, and does not affect average travelers, whose toner cartridges are generally lighter.

November 2010 enhanced screening procedures

Beginning in November 2010, TSA added new enhanced screening procedures. Passengers are required to choose between an enhanced patdown or instead to be imaged by the use of a full body scanner (that is, either backscatter X-ray or millimeter wave detection machines) in order to fly. These changes were made in reaction to the Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab bombing attempt.

Pat-downs

The new pat-down procedures were controversial. Concerns were raised as to the constitutionality of the new screening methods by organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union. As of April 2011, at least six lawsuits were filed for violation of the Fourth Amendment. George Washington University law professor Jeffrey Rosen has supported this view, saying "there's a strong argument that the TSA's measures violate the Fourth Amendment, which prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures."

Full body scanners

The screen operators of millimeter wave scanners now see.

TSA has used two kinds of full body imaging technology since first deploying them in airports in 2010. Previously backscatter X-ray scanners were used which produced ionizing radiation. After criticism the agency now uses only millimeter wave scanners which use non-ionizing radiation. The TSA refers to both systems as Advanced Imaging Technologies or AIT. Critics sometimes refer to them as "naked scanners," though operators no longer see images of the actual passenger, which has been replaced by a stick figure with boxes indicating areas of concern identified by the machine. In 2022, TSA announced it will allow passengers to select the gender marker of their choice and alter algorithms used by the machines to be inclusive of transgender, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming individuals. Previously the agency required screeners to select a male or female button based on a brief glance at the passenger as they entered the machine.Passengers are directed to hold their hands above their heads for a few seconds while front and back images are created. If the machine indicates an anomaly to the operator, or if other problems occur, the passenger is required to receive a pat-down of that area.

An older Rapiscan backscatter X-ray scanner

Full-body scanners have also proven controversial due to privacy and health concerns.

As early as 2010, the TSA began to test scanners that would produce less intrusive "stick figures". In February 2011, the TSA began testing new software on the millimeter-wave machines already used at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport that automatically detects potential threats on a passenger without the need for having an officer review actual images. Instead, one generic figure is used for all passengers and small yellow boxes are placed on areas of the body requiring additional screening. The TSA announced in 2013 that the Rapiscan's backscatter scanners would no longer be used since the manufacturer of the machines could not produce "privacy software" to turn the images that agents view into stick-like figures. The TSA continues to use other full-body scanners.

Health concerns have been raised about both scanning technologies.

With regards to exposure to radiation emitted by backscatter X-rays, and there are fears that people will be exposed to a "dangerous level of radiation if they get backscattered too often". A petition by both scientists and pilots argue that the screening machines are safe. Ionizing radiation is considered a non-threshold carcinogen, but it is difficult to quantify the risk of low radiation exposures. Active millimeter wave scanners emit radiation which is non-ionizing, does not have enough energy to directly damage DNA, and is not known to be genotoxic.

Reverse screenings

In April 2016, TSA Administrator, Peter V. Neffenger told a Senate committee that small airports had the option to use "reverse screening" – a system where passengers are not screened before boarding the aircraft at departure, but instead are screened upon arrival at the destination. The procedure is intended to save costs at airports with a limited number of flights.

Reactions

After the November 2010 initiation of enhanced screening procedures of all airline passengers and flight crews, the US Airline Pilots Association issued a press release stating that pilots should not submit to full-body scanners because of unknown radiation risks and calling for strict guidelines for pat-downs of pilots, including evaluation of their fitness for duty after the pat-down, given the stressful nature of pat-downs. Two airline pilots filed suit against the procedures.

On July 2, 2010, the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) filed a lawsuit in federal court asking to halt the use of full-body scanners by the TSA on Fourth amendment grounds, and arguing that the TSA had failed to allow a public notice and rulemaking period. In July 2011, the D.C. Circuit court of appeals ruled that the TSA did violate the Administrative Procedure Act by failing to allow a public notice and comment rule-making period. The Court ordered the agency to "promptly" undertake a public notice and comment rulemaking. In July 2012, EPIC returned to court and asked the court to force enforcement; in August, the court granted the request to compel the TSA to explain its actions by the end of the month. The agency responded on August 30, saying that there was "no basis whatsoever for (The DC Circuit Court's) assertion that TSA has delayed implementing this court's mandate," and said it was awaiting approval from the Department of Homeland Security before the hearings take place. The TSA also said that it was having "staffing issues" regarding the issue, but expects to begin hearings in February 2013. The comment period began on March 25, 2013 and closed on June 25, 2013, with over 90% of the comments against the scanners. As of October 2015, no report has been issued.

Two separate Internet campaigns promoted a "National Opt-Out Day," the day before Thanksgiving, urging travelers to "opt out" of the scanner and insist on a pat-down.

March 2017 electronic device restrictions

On March 21, 2017, the TSA banned electronic devices larger than smartphones from being carried on flights to the U.S. from 10 specific airports located in Muslim-majority countries. The order cited intelligence that "indicates that terrorist groups continue to target commercial aviation and are aggressively pursuing innovative methods to undertake their attacks, to include smuggling explosive devices in various consumer items". The restrictions were ended in July following changes in screening procedures at the specified airports.

Checked baggage

TSA lock with symbol and general key access

3D printed master keys for Travel Sentry locks

In order to be able to search passenger baggage for security screening, the TSA will cut or otherwise disable locks they cannot open themselves. The agency authorized two companies to create padlocks, lockable straps, and luggage with built-in locks that can be opened and relocked by tools and information supplied by the lock manufacturers to the TSA. These are Travel Sentry and Safe Skies Locks. TSA agents sometimes cut these locks off instead of opening them, and TSA received over 3,500 complaints in 2011 about locks being tampered with. Travel journalist and National Geographic Traveler editor Christopher Elliott describes these locks as "useless" at protecting the goods within, whereas SmarterTravel wrote in early 2010 that the "jury is out on their effectiveness", while noting how easy they are to open.

In November 2014, The Washington Post inadvertently published a photograph of all seven of the TSA master keys in an article about TSA baggage handling. The photograph was later removed from the original article, but it still appears in some syndicated copies. In August 2015, this gained the attention of news sites. Using the photograph, security researchers and members of the public have been able to reproduce working copies of the master keys using 3D printing techniques. The incident has prompted discussion about the security implications of using master keys.

Non-Airport Regulation

While most known for their role in Airports, the TSA is also responsible for other transportation related regulations, including those without passengers. For example, the TSA was responsible for setting up cybersecurity regulations after the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack in May 2021. As of August 2022, they issued revised cybersecurity directives for oil and gas providers more focused on performance-based measures, following extensive input from federal regulators and private industry stakeholders.

See also

In Spanish: Administración de Seguridad en el Transporte para niños

• Airline complaints
• Border Force (one of the two successor agencies to the United Kingdom Border Agency; the other being UK Visas and Immigration)
• Canadian Air Transport Security Authority
• International Civil Aviation Organization
• Lost luggage
• Okoban