View source for Transportation Security Administration

{{Short description|United States federal government agency}}
{{Redirect2|TSA|Tsa|the Arabic letter|Ṯāʾ|other uses|TSA (disambiguation)}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2020}}{{Use American English|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox government agency
| agency_name     = Transportation Security Administration
| seal            = Transportation Security Administration seal.svg
| seal_caption    = TSA seal
| logo            = Transportation Security Administration logo.svg
| logo_width      = 320
| logo_caption    = TSA wordmark
| image           = Flag of the Transportation Security Administration.svg
| image_size      = 180
| image_caption   = TSA flag
| formed          = {{Start date and age|2001|11|19}}|
preceding1      = [[Federal Aviation Administration]] – Office of Civil Aviation Security
| dissolved       =
| superseding     =
| jurisdiction    = Transportation systems inside, and connecting to, the United States of America
| headquarters    = [[Springfield, Virginia|Springfield]], [[Fairfax County, Virginia]], U.S.
| employees       = 58,600+ (2025)
| budget          = $11.80 billion (2025)
| chief1_name     = Ha Nguyen McNeill<ref name="McNeillActing">{{cite web |title=Airport Alert: Changes to TSA Leadership |url=https://alerts.aaae.org/airport-alerts/airport_042225?hsLang=en |website=alerts.aaae.org |publisher=American Association of Airport Executives |access-date=22 April 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
| chief1_position = Acting Administrator
| chief2_name     = Ha Nguyen McNeill
| chief2_position = Deputy Administrator
| parent_department = [[United States Department of Homeland Security|Department of Homeland Security]]
| parent_agency   =
| keydocument1    = [[Aviation and Transportation Security Act]]
| website         = {{URL|tsa.gov|TSA.gov}}
}}

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 in the United States|federal law enforcement]] and [[regulatory agency]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=FreightWaves Staff |date=2002-01-16 |title=MINETA OUTLINES MISSION FOR TSA, SECURITY DIRECTORS |url=https://www.freightwaves.com/news/mineta-outlines-mission-for-tsa-security-directors |access-date=2021-04-11 |website=FreightWaves |language=en-US}}</ref>

The TSA develops key policies to protect the U.S. transportation system, including highways, railroads, bus networks, [[Public transport|mass transit systems]], [[port]]s, [[Pipeline transport|pipelines]], and [[Intermodal freight transport|intermodal freight]] facilities. It fulfills this mission in conjunction with other federal, [[U.S. state|state]], [[Local government|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, [[Explosive detection dog|explosives detection dog]] handlers, and [[Bomb disposal#EOD|bomb technicians]] in airports, and armed [[Federal Air Marshal Service|Federal Air Marshals]] and [[Federal Flight Deck Officer]]s on aircraft.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://hraccess.tsa.dhs.gov/hraccess/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150807083858/https://tsajobs.tsa.dhs.gov/tsajobs/|url-status=dead|title=TSAJobs Home|archive-date=August 7, 2015|website=hraccess.tsa.dhs.gov}}</ref>

At first a part of the [[United States Department of Transportation|Department of Transportation]], the TSA became part of DHS in March 2003 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 baggage|checked]] and [[Hand luggage|carry-on luggage]], including [[Identity document|identification verification]], [[Frisking|pat-downs]], [[Millimeter wave scanner|full-body scanners]], and [[Puffer machine|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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-02-08 |title=TSA screening program risks racial profiling amid shaky science – study |url=http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/feb/08/tsa-screening-racial-religious-profiling-aclu-study |access-date=2021-04-11 |website=[[The Guardian]] |language=en}}</ref>

==History and mission==
[[File:US-TransportationSecurityAdmin-DOTSeal.svg|thumb|180px|TSA's seal when first established under the [[United States Department of Transportation|Department of Transportation]]]]
[[File:ITSA insignia pin ntegrity.jpg|180px|thumb|Historical TSA design used on TSO uniform patch, coin, and Year of Service pins]]
<!-- linked from redirect [[John Tyner]] -->
The TSA was created largely in response to the terrorist attacks of [[September 11 attacks|September 11, 2001]], which revealed weaknesses in existing airport security procedures.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Blalock |first1=Garrick |last2=Kadiyali |first2=Vrinda |last3=Simon |first3=Daniel H. |date=November 2007 |title=The Impact of Post-9/11 Airport Security Measures on the Demand for Air Travel |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/519816 |journal=[[The Journal of Law & Economics]] |volume=50 |issue=4 |pages=731–755 |doi=10.1086/519816 |issn=0022-2186 |jstor=10.1086/519816|url-access=subscription }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/airports-before-911_n_57c85e17e4b078581f11a133|title=This Is What It Was Like To Go To The Airport Before 9/11|first=Lydia|last=O'Connor|date=September 11, 2016|website=HuffPost}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=S.1447 - Aviation and Transportation Security Act |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/107th-congress/senate-bill/1447/all-actions |last=Hollings |first=Ernest |date=2001-11-19 |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=[[United States Congress]]}}</ref> 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 [[United States Department of Homeland Security|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.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Landy |first1=Frank J. |title=Work in the 21st Century: An Introduction to Industrial and Organizational Psychology |last2=Conte |first2=Jeffery M. |date=December 26, 2012 |publisher=[[Wiley (publisher)|Wiley]] |isbn=9781118291207 |edition=4th |pages=263}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://content.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1228247,00.html |title=An Airport Screener's Complaint |author=Greg Fulton |date=August 17, 2006 |access-date=November 19, 2010 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226000315/https://content.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1228247,00.html |archive-date=February 26, 2020}}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dot.gov/affairs/tsa2902.htm |title=TSA Announces Private Security Screening Pilot Program |author=TSA press release |date=June 18, 2002 |publisher=[[United States Department of Transportation]] |access-date=December 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050904192312/http://www.dot.gov/affairs/tsa2902.htm |archive-date=September 4, 2005 |url-status=dead |quote=The Aviation and Transportation Security Act, Section 108, requires TSA to establish the pilot program.  The Act requires that the private screening company be owned and controlled by a citizen of the United States.  The Act also sets forth the provision that TSA may terminate any contract entered into with a private screening company that has repeatedly failed to comply with any standard, regulation, directive, order, law, or contract applicable to hiring or training personnel or to the provision of screening at the airport.  Also, contractors are required to meet the same employment standards and requirements as federal security screeners.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tsa.gov/press/releases/2007/press_release_01042007.shtm |title=TSA Awards Private Screening Contract to US Helicopter and McNeil Security Under Screening Partnership Program |author=TSA press release |date=January 4, 2007 |website=www.tsa.gov |publisher=Transportation Security Administration |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120916061700/http://www.tsa.gov/press/releases/2007/press_release_01042007.shtm |archive-date=September 16, 2012 |url-status=dead |quote=Under today's unique three-party contract, US Helicopter agreed to provide for and fund all screening personnel at the East 34th Street facility through a contract negotiated with McNeil Security.  TSA will provide security oversight and certified screening equipment to ensure that passengers, their accessible property, and checked baggage are thoroughly screened for explosives and other dangerous items before departure.  TSA has enacted a Heliport Security Plan, which will ensure that the East 34th Street Heliport, like the Wall Street facility, adheres to all TSA regulatory requirements and applicable security directives.}}</ref>
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).
<ref name=Gayden-Commercial-Aviation-101>{{cite book |last=Gayden |first=Greg |date=2017 |title=Commercial Aviation 101 |url=http://www.dfwtower.com/101/CommercialAviation101.pdf |location=Dallas |publisher=443 Critical |page=16 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108092337/http://www.dfwtower.com/101/CommercialAviation101.pdf |archive-date=November 8, 2020}}</ref> 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.

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 Station|Franconia-Springfield Metro station]], and cost $316 million.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2017/08/24/gsa-picks-a-new-headquarters-site-for-the-tsa.html|title=At long last, GSA picks a new headquarters site for the TSA|last=Sernovitz|first=Daniel J.|date=August 24, 2017|work=[[Washington Business Journal]]|access-date=August 25, 2017}}</ref>

==Administration and organization==
[[File:Office buildings in Pentagon City.JPG|thumb|TSA former headquarters in [[Pentagon City|Pentagon City, Arlington, Virginia]]]]

=== Leadership ===
When the TSA was part of the [[United States Department of Transportation|Department of Transportation]], the head of the agency was referred to as the undersecretary of transportation for security. Following the move to the [[United States Department of Homeland Security|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 23-year history. Several have come to the job after previously serving as Coast Guard [[flag officer]]s, 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 [[Political appointments in the United States|politically appointed]] position.<ref>{{cite web |last=Goldstein |first=Ben |date=October 4, 2018 |title=US Transportation Security Administration reauthorized through 2021 |url=http://atwonline.com/security/us-transportation-security-administration-reauthorized-through-2021 |url-access=subscription |access-date=October 23, 2018 |website=[[Aviation Week]] |quote=The bill modifies the agency's leadership structure by setting a five-year term for the administrator of TSA and makes the deputy administrator a position appointed by the president}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
!#
!Picture
!Name
!Period
!Notes
|-
| 1 ||[[File:John Magaw Official TSA Portrait.jpg|70px]]||[[John Magaw]]|| January 28, 2002 – July 18, 2002 || Under Secretary of Transportation for Security
|-
| 2 ||[[File:James M. Loy.jpg|70px]]||[[James Loy]]|| July 19, 2002 – December 7, 2003 || Under Secretary of Transportation for Security until Department of Homeland Security transition.
|-
| 3 ||[[File:David M. Stone.jpg|70px]]||[[David M. Stone]]|| December 8, 2003 – June 3, 2005 || Acting until July 2004 when confirmed by [[United States Senate]].<ref>{{cite press release |title=Senate confirms Admiral Stone as Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for TSA |date=July 23, 2004 |publisher=Transportation Security Administration |location=Washington, D.C. |url=https://www.tsa.gov/news/releases/2004/07/23/senate-confirms-admiral-stone-assistant-secretary-homeland-security-tsa |access-date=February 9, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306024237/https://www.tsa.gov/news/releases/2004/07/23/senate-confirms-admiral-stone-assistant-secretary-homeland-security-tsa |archive-date=March 6, 2018}}</ref>
|-
| — ||  ||Kenneth Kasprisin|| June 4, 2005 – July 26, 2005 || Acting<ref>{{cite web|title=TSA Suspends 30-Minute Rule for Reagan National Airport|publisher=Transportation Security Administration|date=July 14, 2005|url=https://www.tsa.gov/news/releases/2005/07/14/tsa-suspends-30-minute-rule-reagan-national-airport|access-date=February 20, 2017|archive-date=September 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923085511/https://www.tsa.gov/news/releases/2005/07/14/tsa-suspends-30-minute-rule-reagan-national-airport|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.revealnews.org/article/tsa-official-responsible-for-security-lapses-earned-big-bonuses/ |title=TSA official responsible for security lapses earned big bonuses |last=Becker |first=Andrew |date=February 9, 2016 |website=Reveal |publisher=Center for Investigative Reporting |access-date=February 20, 2017}}</ref>
|-
| 4 ||[[File:Kip Hawley small.jpg|70px]]||[[Kip Hawley]]|| July 27, 2005 – January 20, 2009 ||
|-
| — ||[[File:Gale Rossides.jpg|70px]]||[[Gale Rossides]]|| January 20, 2009 – June 24, 2010 || Acting
|-
| 5 ||[[File:John S. Pistole, Administrator Transportation Security Administration 2010 (official).jpg|70px]]||[[John S. Pistole]]|| June 25, 2010 – December 31, 2014 ||
|-
| — ||[[File:Mel Carraway.png|70px]]||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.<ref name="auto">{{cite press release |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Statement By Secretary Jeh C. Johnson On The Transportation Security Administration |url=https://www.dhs.gov/news/2015/06/01/statement-secretary-jeh-c-johnson-inspector-general-findings-transportation-security |publisher=[[Department of Homeland Security]] |date=June 1, 2015 |access-date=February 9, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Statement By Secretary Jeh C. Johnson On Inspector General Findings On TSA Security Screening |url=https://www.dhs.gov/news/2015/06/01/statement-secretary-jeh-c-johnson-inspector-general-findings-tsa-security-screening |publisher=[[Department of Homeland Security]] |date=June 1, 2015 |access-date=February 9, 2017}}</ref>
|-
| — ||[[File:Mark Hatfield Jr.jpg|70px]]||Mark Hatfield Jr.|| June 1, 2015 – June 4, 2015 || Acting<ref name="auto"/>
|-
| — ||[[File:Francis X. Taylor DHS.png|70px]]||[[Francis X. Taylor]]|| June 4, 2015 – July 3, 2015 || Acting, served concurrently as [[Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Intelligence and Analysis]].
|-
| 6 ||[[File:Peter V. Neffenger.jpg|70px]]||[[Peter V. Neffenger]]|| July 4, 2015 – January 20, 2017 ||
|-
| — ||[[File:Huban A Gowadia.jpg|70px]]||[[Huban A. Gowadia]]|| January 20, 2017 – August 10, 2017 || Acting
|-
| 7 ||[[File:David Pekoske 2nd official TSA portrait.jpg|70px]]||[[David Pekoske]]|| August 10, 2017 – January 20, 2025<ref>{{cite book |last=Gayden |first=Greg |date=2017 |title=Commercial Aviation 101|url=http://www.dfwtower.com/101/CommercialAviation101.pdf |location=Dallas |publisher=443 Critical |page=14}}</ref> || 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dhs.gov/news/2019/04/11/acting-secretary-mcaleenan-statement-designation-administrator-pekoske-serve-senior |title=Acting Secretary McAleenan Statement on the Designation of Administrator Pekoske to Serve as Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Deputy Secretary |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=April 11, 2019 |newspaper=Department of Homeland Security |publisher=U.S. Department of Homeland Security |access-date=April 12, 2019 |quote=Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Kevin K. McAleenan designated David P. Pekoske, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator, senior official performing the duties of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Deputy Secretary. Patricia Cogswell, TSA's Acting Deputy Administrator, will oversee day-to-day operations at TSA[.]}}</ref> Served concurrently as acting [[United States Secretary of Homeland Security|Secretary of Homeland Security]] from January 20, 2021, until [[Alejandro Mayorkas]] was confirmed by the Senate.<ref name=ActingSecretary>{{cite news|author=Megan Cassella|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/20/biden-names-acting-cabinet-460920|title=Biden names his acting Cabinet|work=[[Politico]]|date=2021-01-20|access-date=2021-01-20}}</ref> While serving as acting secretary, TSA was overseen by Executive Assistant Administrator for Security Operations Darby LaJoye.<ref name="LaJoyeActingAdmin">{{cite web |title=TSA supports security operations for the 59th Presidential Inauguration |url=https://www.tsa.gov/news/press/releases/2021/01/22/tsa-supports-security-operations-59th-presidential-inauguration |access-date=22 January 2021 |website=TSA.gov |publisher=Transportation Security Administration}}</ref><ref name="EAASO">{{cite web |title=Security Operations |url=https://www.tsa.gov/leader-bios/office-security-operations |website=TSA.gov |publisher=Transportation Security Administration |access-date=22 January 2021 |archive-date=January 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117132809/https://www.tsa.gov/leader-bios/office-security-operations |url-status=dead}}</ref> Fired by President Donald Trump on January 20, 2025.
|-
| —||[[File:Melanie Harvey.jpg|70px]] || Melanie Harvey || January 20, 2025 - February 18, 2025 || Acting<ref>{{cite web |title=Hearing Report: Nomination Hearing Held for Secretary of Homeland Security Nominee Kristi Noem |url=https://alerts.aaae.org/airport-alerts/airport_011725 |website=alerts.aaae.org |publisher=American Association of Airport Executives |access-date=23 January 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Airport Alert: TSA Administrator Pekoske Ousted |url=https://alerts.aaae.org/airport-alerts/airport_012025 |website=alerts.aaae.org |publisher=American Association of Airport Executives |access-date=23 January 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| — ||[[File:Adam Stahl TSA Chief of Staff.jpg|70px]] || Adam Stahl || February 18, 2025 - April 21, 2025 || Acting<ref name="StahlActing">{{cite web |title=Airport Alert: New Official Acting as TSA Administrator |url=https://alerts.aaae.org/airport-alerts/airport_021825 |website=alerts.aaae.org |publisher=American Association of Airport Executives |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| — ||[[File:Ha Nguyen McNeill TSA portrait.jpg|70px]] || Ha Nguyen McNeill || April 21, 2025 – present || Acting<ref name="McNeillActing" />
|-
|}

===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'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Leadership and Organization {{!}} Transportation Security Administration |url=https://www.tsa.gov/about/tsa-leadership |access-date=2024-03-06 |website=www.tsa.gov}}</ref>
* 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, Law Enforcement Operations
*** Assistant Administrator, Mission 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 Culture Officer
** 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 distribution paradigm|Spoke–hub]] or [[Airport security#Category X Airports in the United States|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)

=== Airport-level rank insignias ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! colspan="4" |Frontline Officers
|-
!Supervisory Transportation Security Officer (STSO)
!Lead Transportation Security Officer (LTSO)
!Transportation Security Officer (TSO) - F Band
!Transportation Security Officer (TSO)
|-
|[[File:STSO slip-on.png|center|frameless|143x143px]]
|[[File:LTSO slip-on.png|center|frameless|143x143px]]
|[[File:TSO FB slip-on.png|center|frameless|143x143px]]
|[[File:TSO slip-on.png|center|frameless|143x143px]]
|-
! colspan="4" |Passenger Support Specialists (PSS)
|-
!'''Supervisory Transportation Security Officer (STSO)'''
!Lead Transportation Security Officer (LTSO)
!Transportation Security Officer (TSO) - F Band
!Transportation Security Officer (TSO)
|-
|[[File:STSO PSS slip-on.png|center|frameless|143x143px]]
|[[File:LTSO PSS slip-on.png|center|frameless|143x143px]]
|[[File:TSO FB PSS slip-on.png|center|frameless|143x143px]]
|[[File:TSO PSS slip-on.png|center|frameless|143x143px]]
|}

=== Insignia ===
[[File:TSA Explosives Detection K-9 Ford F-250.jpg|thumb|TSA explosives specialist vehicle]]
On September 11, 2018, the 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.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pekoske |first1=David |title=Remarks at 2018 Sept. 11 Commemoration |url=https://www.tsa.gov/news/press/speech/2018/09/11/remarks-2018-sept-11-commemoration |website=TSA.gov |publisher=Transportation Security Administration |access-date=28 May 2020}}</ref>

==Operations==
{{over-quotation|section|date=November 2018}}
The center for operations is located at the [[Freedom Center (TSA)|Freedom Center]] in [[Herndon, Virginia]], and was built in 2003.<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2019 |title=Request for Information (RFI) Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Services at the TSA Systems Integration Facility (TSIF) and Freedom Center |url=https://imlive.s3.amazonaws.com/Federal%20Government/ID99007088778006739321755400249590203219/RFI_-_OM_Services.pdf |access-date=January 22, 2025 |website=www.tsa.gov |publisher=Transportation Security Administration |quote=The Freedom Center is housed in Herndon, VA and consists of 104,014 rentable / 103,502 usable (BOMA) sq. ft. in a single story building. The Freedom Center (FC) was established in response to the direction provided by the National Strategy for Combating Terrorism, as part of the President’s Management Strategy. The Freedom Center became operational in July 2003 and serves as the 24 hours a day/7 days a week coordination center for transportation security- related operations, incidents, or crises for TSA within the Department of Homeland Security.}}</ref>

=== Finances ===
For fiscal year 2020, the TSA had a budget of roughly $7.68 billion.<ref name=FY-2020-budget>{{cite web |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-116publ93/pdf/PLAW-116publ93.pdf |title=Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=December 20, 2019 |website=govinfo.gov |publisher=[[United States Government Printing Office]] |access-date=December 31, 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104023613/https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-116publ93/pdf/PLAW-116publ93.pdf |archive-date=November 4, 2020 |quote=For necessary expenses of the Transportation Security Administration for operations and support, $7,680,565,000, to remain available until September 30, 2021}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Budget<ref name=FY-2020-budget />
! $ Million
! Share
|- align="RIGHT"
| align="left" |Operations and Support
| 4,850
| 63%
|- align="RIGHT"
| align="left" |Procurement, Construction, and Improvements
| 110
| 1.4%
|- align="RIGHT"
| align="left" |Research and Development
| 23
| 0.3%
|- align="RIGHT"
| align="left" |Not specified
| 2,697
| 35%
|- align="RIGHT"
| align="left" |'''Total'''
| 7,680
| 100%
|}

Part of the TSA budget comes from a $5.60 per-passenger fee, also known as the [[September 11 attacks|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.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tsa.gov/for-industry/security-fees |title=Security Fees - Transportation Security Administration |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=www.tsa.gov |publisher=Transportation Security Administration |access-date=December 31, 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201223224501/https://www.tsa.gov/for-industry/security-fees |archive-date=December 23, 2020 |quote=The Passenger Fee, also known as the September 11 Security Fee, is collected by air carriers from passengers at the time air transportation is purchased.  Air carriers then remit the fees to TSA. The fee is currently $5.60 per one-way trip in air transportation that originates at an airport in the U.S., except that the fee imposed per round trip shall not exceed $11.20. Passenger Fee Fiscal Year 2020 Total Collection $2,456,587,000}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite book |last=Gayden |first=Greg |date=2017 |title=Commercial Aviation 101|url=http://www.dfwtower.com/101/CommercialAviation101.pdf |location=Dallas |publisher=443 Critical |page=43 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108092337/http://www.dfwtower.com/101/CommercialAviation101.pdf |archive-date=November 8, 2020}}
</ref> In fiscal year 2019, $926,030.44 was unclaimed.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tsa.gov/sites/default/files/loose-chanage-report-2019-3.18.20.pdf |title=Unclaimed Money at Airports in Fiscal Year 2019 |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=March 18, 2020 |website=www.tsa.gov |publisher=Transportation Security Administration |access-date=December 31, 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120174240/https://www.tsa.gov/sites/default/files/loose-chanage-report-2019-3.18.20.pdf |archive-date=November 20, 2020 |quote=In FY 2019, TSA collected $926,030.44. On September 30, 2019, TSA had a total of $3,618,696 in resources remaining from unclaimed money collected in FY 2019 and prior years. Of this, TSA has: Obligated $2,100,000 for training and development, of which $996,475.51 was expended during the year, and Spent $32,150 from prior-year obligations on printing and distributing bookmarks at checkpoints nationwide to publicize the TSA Pre✓® program.}}</ref>

=== Employees ===
[[File:TSA Officer Carrying Prohibited Items.png|thumb|TSA officer carrying a bin of prohibited items that passengers have surrendered]]
Among the types of TSA employees are:<ref name="dhs.gov">{{cite web |url=https://www.dhs.gov/xoig/assets/mgmtrpts/OIG_08-66_Jun08.pdf |title=TSA's Administration Coordination of Mass Transit Security Programs |access-date=November 19, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528125853/https://www.dhs.gov/xoig/assets/mgmtrpts/OIG_08-66_Jun08.pdf |archive-date=May 28, 2010}}</ref>
{{Unordered list|Transportation Security Officers: The TSA employs around 47,000 Transportation Security Officers (TSOs). They screen people and property and control entry and exit points in airports. They also watch several areas before and beyond checkpoints.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08456t.pdf |title=GAO-08-456T Aviation Security: Transportation Security Administration Has Strengthened Planning to Guide Investments in Key Aviation Security Programs, but More Work Remains |access-date=November 19, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=119467004054325800 |title=TSA needs screeners at PDX |publisher=Portlandtribune.com |access-date=November 19, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081225072334/http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=119467004054325800 |archive-date=December 25, 2008}}</ref> TSOs do not carry weapons, do not have [[arrest]] powers, and are generally not permitted to use force.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/09/politics/tsa-badges/ |title=Bill would strip TSA officers of badges in reaction to alleged strip searches |last=Ahlers |first=Mike M. |date=December 9, 2011 |work=[[CNN]] |access-date=April 6, 2013}}</ref>

[[File:TSA Officer Badge.png|thumb|upright|Badge of a Transportation Security Officer]]
Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) provide security and protection for air travelers, airports, and aircraft. This includes:
* Operating various screening equipment and technology to identify dangerous objects in baggage, cargo, and passengers, and preventing those objects from being transported onto aircraft.
* Performing searches and screening, which may include physical interaction with passengers (e.g., pat-downs, a search of property, etc.).
* Controlling terminal entry and exit points.
* Interacting with the public, giving directions, and responding to inquiries.
* Maintaining focus and awareness while working in a stressful environment which includes noise from alarms, machinery and people, crowd distractions, time pressure, and disruptive and angry passengers, to preserve the professional ability to identify and locate potentially life-threatening or mass destruction devices, and to make effective decisions in both crisis and routine situations.
* Engaging in the continuous development of critical thinking skills, necessary to mitigate actual and potential security threats, by identifying, evaluating, and applying appropriate situational options and approaches. This may include the application of risk-based security screening protocols that vary based on program requirements.
* Retaining and implementing knowledge of all applicable Standard Operating Procedures, demonstrating responsible and dependable behavior, and is open to change and adapts to new information or unexpected obstacles.<ref name="usajobs.gov">{{Cite web|url=https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/454238900/|title=Transportation Security Officer (TSO)|website=USAJOBS|access-date=November 15, 2016|archive-date=November 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115132721/https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/454238900/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The key requirements for employment are:<ref name="usajobs.gov"/>
* Be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National at time of application submission
* Be at least 18 years of age at time of application submission
* Pass a Drug Screening and Medical Evaluation
* Pass a background investigation including a credit and criminal check
* No default on $7,500 or more in delinquent debt (but for some bankruptcies)
* Selective Service registration required
{{as of|2019|9}} the salary range for a TSO is at least $28,668 to $40,954<ref>{{cite web |url=https://hraccess.tsa.dhs.gov/hraccess/pdf/pay_bands.pdf |title=TSA Core Compensation Plan Pay Chart for 2019 |access-date=July 7, 2019 |archive-date=July 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190706021043/https://hraccess.tsa.dhs.gov/hraccess/pdf/pay_bands.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref> per year, not including locality pay (contiguous 48 states) or [[cost of living allowance]] in Hawaii and Alaska. A handful of airports also have a retention bonus of up to 35%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/a9tsa.asp |title=USAJOBS – Search Jobs |publisher=Jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov |access-date=November 19, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110424023350/http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/a9tsa.asp |archive-date=April 24, 2011}}</ref>

[[File:TSA Passenger Screening Canine.png|thumb|right|TSA passenger screening canine sniffing a passenger]]
| Behavior Detection Officers: In 2003, the TSA implemented the [[Screening of Passengers by Observation Technique]] (SPOT), which expanded across the United States in 2007. In this program, Behavior Detection Officers (BDOs), who are TSOs, observe passengers as they go through [[security checkpoint]]s, looking for behaviors that might indicate a higher risk. Such passengers are subject to additional screening.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theintercept.com/2015/03/27/revealed-tsas-closely-held-behavior-checklist-spot-terrorists/|title=Exclusive: TSA's Secret Behavior Checklist to Spot Terrorists|work=The Intercept|date=March 27, 2015}}</ref>

This program has led to concerns about, and allegations of [[Airport racial profiling in the United States|racial profiling]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/12/us/racial-profiling-at-boston-airport-officials-say.html?pagewanted=all|title=Racial Profiling Rife at Airport, U.S. Officers Say|last=Schmidt|first=Michael S.|author2=Eric Lichtblau |date=August 12, 2012|work=The New York Times|page=1|access-date=April 6, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/report-newark-tsa-screeners-targeted-mexicans/|title=Report: Newark TSA screeners targeted Mexicans|date=June 12, 2011|work=[[CBS News]]|access-date=April 6, 2013}}</ref> According to the TSA, SPOT screening officers are trained to observe behaviors only and not a person's appearance, race, ethnicity or religion.<ref name="ZureikLyon2010">{{cite book|last1=Zureik|first1=Elia|last2=Lyon|first2=David|last3=Abu-Laban|first3=Yasmeen|title=Surveillance and Control in Israel/Palestine: Population, Territory and Power|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rBIKE-BOYC4C&pg=PA379|access-date=April 6, 2013|date=December 13, 2010|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=9780203845967|pages=379–}}</ref>

The TSA program was reviewed in 2013 by the federal government's [[Government Accountability Office]], which recommended cutting funds for it because there was no proof of its effectiveness.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/25/science/in-airport-screening-body-language-is-faulted-as-behavior-sleuth.html | work=The New York Times | first=John | last=Tierney | title=At Airports, a Misplaced Faith in Body Language | date=March 23, 2014}}</ref> The [[JASON (advisory group)|JASON]] scientific advisory group has also said that "no scientific evidence exists to support the detection or inference of future behavior, including intent."<ref>{{cite journal |last=Weinberger |first=Sharon |date=May 27, 2010 |title=Intent to Deceive? |url=http://www.nature.com/news/2010/100526/pdf/465412a.pdf |journal=Nature |volume=465 |issue=7297 |pages=412–415 |doi=10.1038/465412a|access-date=March 18, 2015 |pmid=20505706|s2cid=4350875 |doi-access=free}}</ref>
| Transportation Security Specialist – Explosives,<ref name = TSSE>{{cite web |url=https://www.vaforvets.va.gov/vaforvets/docs/events/TSS-Explosive-ELP-18-484781_7_30_2018.pdf |title=Transportation Security Specialist-Explosives |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=July 26, 2018 |website=VA.gov |publisher=Transportation Security Administration |access-date=September 23, 2018}}</ref> formerly known Bomb Appraisal Officers<ref name=BAO /> are explosive specialists employed by TSA. These specialists are required to either be former military Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technicians who attended [[Center for Explosive Ordnance Disposal & Diving|Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal]] or an FBI certified Public Safety Hazardous Devices Technician who attended the [[FBI Hazardous Devices School]]. Furthermore, they are required to possess at least 3 years of experience working in an EOD or bomb disposal unit. The TSS-Es provide workforce training to TSA employees, conduct an Advanced Alarm Resolution process when conventional alarm resolution has failed and serve as a liaison between TSA, law enforcement and bomb squads.<ref name=BAO>{{cite web |url=https://www.tsa.gov/blog/2009/07/14/what-heck-does-person-do-tsa-bomb-appraisal-officer-bao |title=What In the Heck Does That Person Do: TSA Bomb Appraisal Officer (BAO) |last=Burns |first=Bob |date=July 14, 2009 |website=TSA.gov |publisher=Transportation Security Administration |access-date=September 23, 2018 |archive-date=September 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923235859/https://www.tsa.gov/blog/2009/07/14/what-heck-does-person-do-tsa-bomb-appraisal-officer-bao |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| Federal Air Marshals: The [[Federal Air Marshal Service]] is the law enforcement arm of the TSA. FAMs are federal [[law enforcement officers]] who work [[undercover]] to protect the air travel system from hostile acts. As a part of the Federal Air Marshal Service, FAMs do carry weapons.<ref name=grinberg>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/TRAVEL/12/30/federal.air.marshals/|title=Federal air marshals back in spotlight after attempted plane bombing|last=Grinberg|first=Emanuella|date=December 30, 2009|work=[[CNN]]|access-date=April 6, 2013}}</ref>

The FAM role, then called "sky marshalls", originated in 1961 with U.S. Customs Service (now [[U.S. Customs and Border Protection]]) following the first US hijacking.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.propublica.org/article/history-of-the-federal-air-marshal-service|title=History of the Federal Air Marshal Service|last=Grabell|first=Michael|date=November 13, 2008|work=Pro Publica|access-date=April 6, 2013}}</ref> It became part of the TSA following the creation of the TSA following the September 11 attacks,<ref name=grinberg/> was transferred to the [[U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement]] in 2003, and back to the TSA in [[fiscal year|fiscal]] 2006.{{Citation needed|date=April 2013}}

In July 2018, the Boston Globe reported on a secret program called "Quiet Skies", under which armed undercover marshals in airports and on planes keep tabs on passenger behaviors and movements they deemed noteworthy – including abrupt change of direction in the airport, fidgeting, having a "cold penetrating stare", changing clothes, shaving, using phones, even using the bathroom – and send detailed observations to the TSA.<ref name="Boton Globe Quiet Skies tracking">{{cite web |last1=Winter |first1=Jana |title=In 'Quiet Skies' program, TSA is tracking regular travelers like terrorists in secret surveillance |url=https://apps.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/graphics/2018/07/tsa-quiet-skies/ |website=BostonGlobe.com |access-date=July 31, 2018 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="NPR Quiet Skies passenger tracking July 2018">{{cite news |last1=Domonoske |first1=Camila |title=TSA's 'Quiet Skies' Program Tracks, Observes Travelers In The Air |url=https://www.npr.org/2018/07/30/633980912/tsas-quiet-skies-program-tracks-observes-travelers-in-the-air |website=NPR.org |date=July 30, 2018 |access-date=July 31, 2018 |language=en}}</ref> The news raised concerns about Constitutional rights by groups such as the ACLU and by lawmakers.<ref name="Common Dreams July 2018 Quiet Skies">{{cite web |last1=Corbteett |first1=Jessica |title='Creepy Violation of Constitutional Rights': TSA Uses Armed Undercover Air Marshals to Surveil Unsuspecting Travelers |url=https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/30/creepy-violation-constitutional-rights-tsa-uses-armed-undercover-air-marshals |website=Common Dreams |access-date=July 31, 2018 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Boston Globe July 2018 lawmaker concerns: Quiet Skies">{{cite web |last1=Winter |first1=Jana |title=TSA 'Quiet Skies' program has lawmakers demanding answers - The Boston Globe |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2018/07/30/lawmakers-demand-answers-quiet-skies-surveillance-program-after-globe-report/tQa7Y5SHFJEbo2z1RHwbYM/story.html |website=BostonGlobe.com |access-date=July 31, 2018}}</ref>

| [[Federal Flight Deck Officer]] (FFDOs) are the airline pilots working for the U.S. airlines, who are sworn and deputized as federal [[law enforcement officers]] (FLEOs) to carry out the law enforcement duties within their specific jurisdictions (flight deck) and only from the time their aircraft doors are closed and until they are opened. FFDOs do not have arrest powers but are authorized to carry a federally issued firearm and use force (including deadly force). While the program is voluntary, only active [[Federal Aviation Regulations#Part 121|part 121]] airline pilots are eligible for the FFDO program. FFDO's are trained by the [[Federal Air Marshal Service]] and deputized by the [[Department of Homeland Security]]. Their primary goal is to work with (or without) the FAM team to defend the flight deck from [[Aircraft hijacking|hijacking]], criminal violence, or any other terrorist threats to their aircraft.

| Transportation Security Inspectors (TSIs): They inspect, and investigate passenger and cargo transportation systems to see how secure they are. TSA employs roughly 1,000 aviation inspectors, 450 cargo inspectors,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08959t.pdf |title=GAO-08-959T Aviation Security: Transportation Security Administration May Face Resource and Other Challenges in Developing a System to Screen All Cargo Transported on Passenger Aircraft |access-date=November 19, 2010}}</ref> and 100 surface inspectors.<ref name="dhs.gov"/> As of July 2018, TSA had 97 international inspectors, are primarily responsible for performing and reporting the results of foreign airport assessments and air carrier inspections, and will provide on-site assistance and make recommendations for security enhancements.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gao.gov/assets/700/695693.pdf |title=GAO-19-162 Aviation Security: TSA Uses a Variety of Methods to Secure U.S.-bound Air Cargo, but Could Do More to Assess Their Effectiveness |access-date=July 5, 2019}}</ref>

[[File:Tsa viper csg1.jpg|thumb|right|VIPR team working cars waiting to board a ferry in Portland, Maine]]
| [[National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program]]: These trainers prepare dogs and handlers to serve as mobile teams that can quickly find dangerous materials. {{As of|June 2008}}, the TSA had trained about 430 canine teams, with 370 deployed to airports and 56 deployed to mass transit systems.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08933r.pdf |title=GAO-08-933R TSA's Explosives Detection Canine Program: Status of Increasing Number of Explosives Detection Canine Teams |access-date=November 19, 2010}}</ref>
| [[Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response|Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response (VIPR) teams]]: VIPR teams started in 2005 and involved [[Federal Air Marshals]] and other TSA crew working outside of the airport environment, at train stations, ports, truck weigh stations, special events, and other places. There has been some controversy and congressional criticism for problems such as the July 3, 2007 holiday screenings. In 2011, [[Amtrak]] police chief John O'Connor moved to temporarily ban VIPR teams from Amtrak property. As of 2011, VIPR team operations were being conducted at a rate of 8,000 per year.<ref>Please see [[Visual Intermodal Prevention and Response]] article for references</ref>
}}

===Uniforms===
In 2008, TSA officers began wearing new uniforms that have a [[royal blue]] duty shirt, dark blue (almost black) pants, and black belt.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tsa.gov/assets/pdf/foia/TSA_MD_1100_73_2_FINAL_070621.pdf |title=TSA Management Directive No. 1100.73-2 – TSO Dress and Appearance Responsibilities |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=June 21, 2007 |website=www.tsa.gov |publisher=Transportation Security Administration |access-date=May 26, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322224740/http://www.tsa.gov/assets/pdf/foia/TSA_MD_1100_73_2_FINAL_070621.pdf |archive-date=March 22, 2012}}</ref> 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]].

[[File:TSO Shoulder Boards.jpg|thumb|129x129px|A Transportation Security Officer shoulder board]]

=== Personnel system and pay ===
The personnel system used by TSA was originally based on the FAA's personnel system.<ref>{{USCSub|49|114|n}}</ref>

Unlike a majority of the federal government, TSA employees are not on the [[General Schedule]] pay system. Instead, a [[pay band]] system with performance-based increases was used.

In June 2021, Secretary of Homeland Security [[Alejandro Mayorkas]] issued a memorandum which directed the TSA Administrator among other items to pay employees "at a level that is no less than that of their counterparts on the General Schedule pay scale." It also directed that TSOs be offered expanded [[collective bargaining]] rights mirroring [[title 5 of the United States Code]], and appeals of adverse actions to the [[Merit Systems Protection Board]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ogrysko |first1=Nicole |title=Biden administration orders TSA to expand union rights, explore pay reform for screeners|url=https://federalnewsnetwork.com/workforce/2021/06/biden-administration-orders-tsa-to-expand-union-rights-explore-pay-reform-for-screeners/ |website=federalnewsnetwork.com |publisher=Federal News Network |access-date=7 September 2024 |date=3 June 2021}}</ref>

In July 2023, a new pay system mirroring the General Schedule was introduced following appropriations made by the [[Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023]]. For TSOs, the career ladder begins at the D band and progresses to F band. Lead TSOs and supervisory TSOs are at the F and G band levels.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Doubleday |first1=Justin |title='Long overdue' TSA pay raises bring salaries in line with rest of federal workforce |url=https://federalnewsnetwork.com/pay/2023/07/long-overdue-tsa-pay-raises-bring-salaries-in-line-with-rest-of-federal-workforce/ |website=federalnewsnetwork.com |publisher=Federal News Network |access-date=7 September 2024 |date=27 July 2023}}</ref> Career ladders are also being worked on for non-TSOs.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Friedman |first1=Drew |title=TSA looking beyond 'honeymoon phase' for frontline workforce |url=https://federalnewsnetwork.com/workforce/2024/07/tsa-looking-beyond-honeymoon-phase-for-frontline-workforce/ |website=federalnewsnetwork.com |publisher=Federal News Network |access-date=7 September 2024 |date=8 July 2024}}</ref>

In 2011, former TSA Administrator John Pistole granted limited collective bargaining rights to Transportation Security Officers following a union election between two federal employee unions, the [[American Federation of Government Employees]] and the [[National Treasury Employees Union]].<ref>{{cite web |title=TSA workers granted collective bargaining rights |url=https://federalnewsnetwork.com/budget/2011/02/tsa-workers-granted-collective-bargaining-rights/ |website=federalnewsnetwork.com |publisher=Federal News Network |access-date=7 September 2024 |date=4 February 2011}}</ref> In May 2024, an expanded collective bargaining agreement with a 7-year term was signed between TSA and AFGE.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Friedman |first1=Drew |title=TSA, AFGE aim to expand workforce options in new 7-year contract |url=https://federalnewsnetwork.com/unions/2024/03/tsa-afge-aim-to-expand-workforce-options-in-new-7-year-contract/ |website=federalnewsnetwork.com |publisher=Federal News Network |access-date=7 September 2024 |date=12 March 2024}}</ref>

In February 2025, Secretary of Homeland Security [[Kristi Noem]] issued a memorandum that cancelled the 2024 collective bargaining agreement. AFGE called it a "retaliatory action" for challenging President [[Donald Trump]]'s [[2025 United States federal mass layoffs|mass layoffs of the federal workforce]] and vowed to fight it.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Santana |first1=Rebecca |last2=Sisak |first2=Michael |title=Homeland Security ends TSA collective bargaining agreement, in effort to dismantle union protections |url=https://apnews.com/article/collective-bargaining-agreement-tsa-homeland-security-e3eb1d5e0ae8e1b4a6fdb87cd7f6bd39 |website=AP News |publisher=Associated Press |language=en |date=7 March 2025}}</ref>

===Incidents===
====2013 Los Angeles airport shooting====
{{main|2013 Los Angeles International Airport shooting}}

On Friday, November 1, 2013, TSA officer Gerardo I. Hernandez, age 39, was shot and killed by a lone gunman at the Los Angeles International Airport. Law enforcement officials identified the suspect as 23-year-old Paul Anthony Ciancia, who was shot and wounded by law enforcement officers before being taken into custody.<ref>{{cite news |title=LAX shooting: Slain TSA Officer identified as Gerardo I. Hernandez |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-lax-shooting-slain-tsa-agent-identified-as-gerardo-i-hernandez-20131101-story.html |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date=November 2, 2013 |first1=Brian |last1=Bennett |first2=Richard |last2=Winton |first3=Scott |last3=Gold |date=November 1, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140817095700/http://articles.latimes.com/2013/nov/01/local/la-me-ln-lax-shooting-slain-tsa-agent-identified-as-gerardo-i-hernandez-20131101 |archive-date=August 17, 2014}}</ref> Ciancia was wearing fatigues and carrying a bag containing a hand-written note that said he "wanted to kill TSA and pigs". Hernandez was the first TSA officer to be killed in the line of duty.<ref>{{cite news |last=Jansen |first=Bart |date=November 1, 2013 |title=TSA workers mourn first death on duty |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/news/2013/11/01/tsa-mourning-lax-shooting/3360655/ |url-status=live |work=[[USA Today]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025140500/https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/news/2013/11/01/tsa-mourning-lax-shooting/3360655/ |archive-date=October 25, 2020 |access-date=December 31, 2020}}</ref>

====2015 New Orleans airport attack====
On March 21, 2015, 63-year-old Richard White entered the [[Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport]] armed with six [[Molotov cocktail]]s, a gasoline lighter, and a [[machete]]. White began assaulting passengers and TSA officers by spraying them with a can of wasp killer, then started swinging his machete. A TSA agent blocked the machete with a piece of luggage, as White ran through a metal detector. A [[Jefferson Parish, Louisiana|Jefferson Parish]] deputy sheriff shot and killed White as he was chasing a TSA officer with his machete.<ref name="USAToday">{{cite news |last=Toppo |first=Greg |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/03/21/new-orleans-airport-attack-scene/25136201/ |title=New Orleans airport machete suspect is dead |work=[[USA Today]] |date=March 21, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707192745/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/03/21/new-orleans-airport-attack-scene/25136201/ |archive-date=July 7, 2017 |access-date=September 17, 2017 }}</ref>

==== COVID-19 pandemic in the United States ====
The TSA continued working throughout the [[2020 coronavirus pandemic in the United States|COVID-19 pandemic in the United States]]. As of December 31, 2020, the TSA cumulatively had 4,978 federal employees test positive for [[Coronavirus disease 2019|COVID-19]]: 4,219 of those employees recovered, and 12 died as a result of the virus.<ref name="tsa-covid">{{cite web |url=https://www.tsa.gov/coronavirus/ |title=Coronavirus (COVID-19) information |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=December 31, 2020 |website=tsa.gov/ |quote=TSA has cumulatively had 4,978 federal employees test positive for COVID-19. 4,219 employees have recovered, and 12 have unfortunately died after contracting the virus. We have also been notified that one screening contractor has passed away due to the virus |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424164020/https://www.tsa.gov/coronavirus/ |archive-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref>

==Functions==
[[File:Security screening selectee.jpg|alt=|thumb|TSA agent screening a passenger]]

===Passenger and carry-on screening===
====Pre-screening====
{{See also|Secure Flight}}
The TSA checks passenger information like name, sex, and date of birth seventy-two hours before departure for any matches on the [[No Fly List]] or [[Secondary Security Screening Selection|Selectee List]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Secure Flight Program |url=https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2008/10/28/E8-25432/secure-flight-program |date=2008-10-28 |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=[[Federal Register]]}}</ref> At the checkpoint, passengers 18 and older are required to show a valid ID to be processed by Credential Authentication Technology. This is used to match passenger information with their flight reservation and [[Secure Flight|secure flight]] status without a boarding pass.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Credential Authentication Technology |url=https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/credential-authentication-technology |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=Transportation Security Administration}}</ref> Valid forms of identification include [[passport]]s 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]].<ref name=identification>{{cite web |url=https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification |title=Identification | publisher=Transportation Security Administration |work=tsa.gov |access-date=December 31, 2020}}</ref>

===== REAL ID requirements =====
Passed by [[United States Congress|Congress]] in 2005, the [[Real ID Act]] established minimum security standards for state-issued [[driver's license]]s and [[Identity document|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.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.tsa.gov/sites/default/files/resources/realid_factsheet_071516-508.pdf|title=TSA Real ID and Air Travel|website=www.tsa.gov/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115140432/https://www.tsa.gov/sites/default/files/resources/realid_factsheet_071516-508.pdf|archive-date=November 15, 2016|url-status=dead|access-date=November 14, 2016}}</ref> Implementation has been deferred for two decades by DHS, and enforcement begun on May 7, 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Most airports are operating smoothly on the first day of the REAL ID requirement |url=https://apnews.com/article/real-id-travelers-tsa-when-deadline-f0923fe95923e9675d556ee7e08df326 |last=Rodriguez |first=Olga |date=2025-05-07 |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref>

====== Current list of acceptable IDs ======
* Federally recognized:
** Driver's licenses, [[enhanced driver's license]]s, or other photo identity cards issued by U.S. state or territorial [[Department of Motor Vehicles|Departments of Motor Vehicles]].
** Tribal photo identification issued by a tribe [[List of federally recognized tribes in the contiguous United States|federally recognized]] by the [[Bureau of Indian Affairs|U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs]]
** Canadian provincial or territorial [[Driver's licences in Canada|driver's licence]], [[Canadian provincial and territorial photo cards|photo card]] or [[Indigenous Services Canada]] card
** [[Passport]] issued by a [[Sovereign state|recognized]] foreign country
** Airline employee or flight crew ID
** [[Security identification display area]] (SIDA) badge issued by the airport.
* Federally issued:
** [[HSPD|HSPD-12]]/ [[FIPS 201]] PIV cards issued to federal employees and contractors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gsa.gov/technology/it-contract-vehicles-and-purchasing-programs/federal-credentialing-services?gsaredirect=fedidcard|title=Federal credentialing services|website=U.S. General Services Administration}}</ref>
* [[United States Department of State|U.S. Department of State]]-issued:
** [[United States passport]]
** [[United States passport card]]
** [[Border Crossing Card]]
* [[United States Department of Homeland Security|U.S Department of Homeland Security]]-issued:
** CBP-trusted traveler cards ([[Global Entry]], [[NEXUS]], [[Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection|SENTRI]], [[Free and Secure Trade|FAST]])
** USCIS [[refugee travel document]]
** USCIS [[U.S. re-entry permit|re-entry permit]]
** USCIS [[Permanent residence (United States)|permanent resident card]] (''aka'' green card)
** USCIS [[employment authorization document]] (''aka'' work permit)<ref name="identification" />
** TSA [[Transportation Worker Identification Credential]] (TWIC)
** Coast Guard [[Merchant Mariner Credential]] (MMC)
* [[United States Department of Defense|U.S. Department of Defense]]-issued:
** [[Common Access Card]] (CAC)
** [[United States Uniformed Services Privilege and Identification Card|Uniformed Services Privilege and Identification Card]]
* [[United States Department of Veterans Affairs|U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs]]-issued:
** [[Veteran Health Identification Card]] (VHIC)

The effectiveness of the lists has been criticized on the basis of errors in how those lists are maintained,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-dec-29-la-oe-schoenfeld29-2009dec29-story.html|title=Politics and the no-fly list|last=Schoenfeld|first=Gabriel|date=December 29, 2009|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 6, 2013}}</ref> for concerns that the lists are [[Constitutionality|unconstitutional]], and for its ineffectiveness at stopping [[Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab]], who attempted to detonate plastic explosives in his underwear, from boarding an aircraft.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2009/12/31/how-did-us-no-fly-list-miss/|title=Plane bombing plot: No-fly list procedure needs revamping, critics say|last=Tankersley|first=Jim|date=December 31, 2009|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|access-date=April 6, 2013}}</ref>

====Screening====
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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/prohibited-items|website=tsa.gov|title=Prohibited Items|publisher=Transportation Security Administration|access-date=April 6, 2013}}</ref> In addition, passengers are limited to {{convert|3.4|USoz|lk=in}} of almost any liquid or gel, which must be presented at the checkpoint in a clear, one-quart [[Zipper storage bag|zip-top bag]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/3-1-1-carry-ons|title=3-1-1 for Carry-ons|publisher=Transportation Security Administration|access-date=April 6, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130411045917/http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/3-1-1-carry-ons|archive-date=April 11, 2013}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite book |last=Gayden |first=Greg |date=2017 |title=Commercial Aviation 101|url=http://www.dfwtower.com/101/CommercialAviation101.pdf |location=Dallas |publisher=443 Critical |page=23}}
</ref> In 2010 an anonymous source told ABC News that [[red team|undercover agents]] managed to bring weapons through security nearly 70 percent of the time at some major airports.<ref name=quinn/> Firearms can be legally checked in checked luggage on domestic flights.<ref>{{cite web |title=Transporting Firearms and Ammunition |url=https://www.tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunition |publisher=Transportation Security Administration |access-date=September 5, 2021}}</ref>

In some cases, government leaders, members of the US military and law-enforcement officials are allowed to bypass security screening.<ref name="AP112310" /><ref>{{cite news|url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/federal-eye/2010/11/who_is_exempt_from_airport_sec.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316024827/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/federal-eye/2010/11/who_is_exempt_from_airport_sec.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 16, 2012|title=Who is exempt from airport security?|last=O'Keefe|first=Ed|date=November 22, 2010|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=April 7, 2013}}</ref>

=====Pat-downs=====
{{See also|Frisking}}

The new pat-down procedures, which were originally not made public,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/human_nature/2010/11/groping_in_the_dark.html|title=The government's secret plan to feel you up at airports.|last=Saletan|first=William|author-link=William Saletan|date=November 23, 2010|work=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]|access-date=April 7, 2013}}</ref> "routinely involve the touching of buttocks and [[genitals]]"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fas.org/sgp/crs/homesec/R41502.pdf|title=Changes in Airport Passenger Screening Technologies and Procedures: Frequently Asked Questions|last=Elias|first=Bart|date=January 26, 2011|work=[[Congressional Research Service]]|access-date=April 7, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cfr.org/air-transportation-security/debate-over-airport-security/p23673|title=The Debate Over Airport Security|last=Bajoria|first=Jayshree|date=December 28, 2010|publisher=Council on Foreign Relations|access-date=April 7, 2013|archive-date=June 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130621143819/http://www.cfr.org/air-transportation-security/debate-over-airport-security/p23673|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-05-21/underwear-bombers-show-limits-of-tsa-s-groping.html|title=Underwear Bombers Show Limits of TSA's Groping|last=Goldberg|first=Jeffrey|date=May 21, 2012|work=[[Bloomberg L.P.]]|access-date=April 7, 2013}}</ref> as well as breasts.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.katu.com/news/local/108607084.html|title=Replacement hip singles out woman for new TSA pat-down|last=Tilkin|first=Dan|date=November 17, 2010|work=KATU|access-date=April 7, 2013|archive-date=October 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016235320/http://www.katu.com/news/local/108607084.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> These procedures were controversial, and in a November 2010 poll, 50% of those polled felt that the new pat-down procedures were too extreme, with 48% feeling them justified.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/22/new-poll-suggests-shift-in-public-views-on-t-s-a-procedures/|title=New Poll Suggests Shift in Public Views on T.S.A. Procedures|last=Silver|first=Nate|date=November 22, 2010|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=April 7, 2013}}</ref> A number of publicized incidents created a public outcry against the invasiveness of the pat-down techniques,<ref>[http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news/local/michigan-man-left-covered-in-own-urine-following-tsa-pat-down-20101122-mr Michigan Man Left Covered in Own Urine following TSA Pat-Down] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123211249/http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news/local/michigan-man-left-covered-in-own-urine-following-tsa-pat-down-20101122-mr |date=November 23, 2010 }} [[Fox News]] Detroit, November 22, 2010.</ref><ref>Mike Clary, [http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2010/nov/22/full-body-scanners-trigger-concerns-some-fliers/ Full-body scanners trigger concerns for some fliers] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103202710/http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2010/nov/22/full-body-scanners-trigger-concerns-some-fliers/ |date=November 3, 2013 }}, Sun Sentinel, November 22, 2010.</ref><ref>[http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2010/11/could_a_pat-down_backlash_crip.html Airport screening horror stories: Could a pat-down backlash cripple holiday airline travel?] {{webarchive |url=https://archive.today/20120911061124/http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2010/11/could_a_pat-down_backlash_crip.html |date=September 11, 2012 }}, ''[[The Post-Standard]]'', November 22, 2010.</ref> in which women's breasts and the genital areas of all passengers are patted.<ref name="Sharkey"/> Pat-downs are carried out by agents of the same gender as the passenger.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/transgender-travelers|title=Transgender Travelers|publisher=Transportation Security Administration|access-date=April 7, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130411045959/http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/transgender-travelers|archive-date=April 11, 2013}}</ref>

Concerns were raised as to the constitutionality of the new screening methods by organizations such as the [[American Civil Liberties Union]].<ref>[[Radley Balko|Balko, Radley]] [http://reason.com/blog/2010/12/13/why-was-the-aclu-silent-about Q: Why Has the ACLU Been Silent About TSA Abuses? A: Because You Haven't Been Listening] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160711204402/http://reason.com/blog/2010/12/13/why-was-the-aclu-silent-about |date=July 11, 2016 }} ''[[Reason Magazine|Reason]]''</ref> As of April 2011, at least six lawsuits were filed for violation of the [[Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution|Fourth Amendment]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/blog/tsa-gropers-draw-tea-party-wrath-unionizing-vote-next|title=TSA Gropers Draw Tea Party Wrath; Unionizing Vote Next|last=Ward|first=Kenric|date=November 28, 2010|work=Sunshine State News|access-date=November 30, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.fox16.com/news/local/story/Little-Rock-man-sues-over-enhanced-TSA-screenings/eDhDNr44aUm5CL4a5UVkhg.cspx|title=Little Rock man sues over enhanced TSA screenings|last=Goins|first=David|date=November 23, 2010|publisher=FOX16.com|access-date=November 30, 2010|location=Little Rock, AR|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101128165746/http://www.fox16.com/news/local/story/Little-Rock-man-sues-over-enhanced-TSA-screenings/eDhDNr44aUm5CL4a5UVkhg.cspx|archive-date=November 28, 2010}}</ref> [[George Washington University Law School|George Washington University]] law professor [[Jeffrey Rosen (legal academic)|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."<ref>[[Jeffrey Rosen (legal academic)|Rosen, Jeffrey]] (November 28, 2010) [https://web.archive.org/web/20101205063930/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/26/AR2010112604290.html The TSA is invasive, annoying – and unconstitutional], ''[[Washington Post]]''</ref> Concerns were also raised about the effects of these pat-downs on victims of sexual assault.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2010/11/17/tsa-screenings-worry-sexual-assault-survivors.html|title=TSA Screenings Worry Sexual-Assault Survivors|last=Dailey|first=Kate|date=November 17, 2010|work=[[Newsweek]]|access-date=April 7, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130406090543/http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2010/11/17/tsa-screenings-worry-sexual-assault-survivors.html|archive-date=April 6, 2013}}</ref> In January 2014, Denver police launched an investigation against a screener at Denver International Airport over what the passenger stated was an intrusive patdown.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://denver.cbslocal.com/2014/01/15/tsa-pat-down-at-dia-leads-to-sex-assault-investigation/|title=TSA Pat-Down At DIA Leads To Sex Assault Investigation|date=January 15, 2014}}</ref>

=====Full body scanners=====
{{Main|Full body scanner}}

{{See also|Backscatter X-ray#Health effects|Millimeter wave scanner#Possible health effects}}
[[File:TSA Millimeter Wave Scanner avatar.jpg|thumb|160x160px|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|backscatter X-ray scanners]] were used which produced [[ionizing radiation]]. After criticism the agency now uses only [[millimeter wave scanner]]s which use [[non-ionizing radiation]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Khan |first=Farah Naz |title=Is That Airport Security Scanner Really Safe? |url=https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/is-that-airport-security-scanner-really-safe/ |access-date=2022-12-04 |website=Scientific American Blog Network |language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/oukin-uk-germany-bodyscanner-idUKTRE4AS1V320081129|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104194749/http://uk.reuters.com/article/oukin-uk-germany-bodyscanner-idUKTRE4AS1V320081129|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 4, 2016|title=Germany plans lab tests for airport naked scans|date=November 29, 2008|work=Reuters UK}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 31, 2022 |title=TSA announces measures to implement gender-neutral screening at its checkpoints |url=https://www.tsa.gov/news/press/releases/2022/03/31/tsa-announces-measures-implement-gender-neutral-screening-its |access-date=2022-12-04 |website=TSA.gov}}</ref>[[File:Mmw large.jpg|right|thumb|160px|Screenshot from a [[millimeter wave scanner]] before they were replaced by stick figure avatars]]Passengers are directed to hold their hands above their heads for a few seconds while front and back images are created.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.propublica.org/article/tsa-removes-x-ray-body-scanners-from-major-airports|title=TSA Removes X-Ray Body Scanners From Major Airports|last=Grabell|first=Michael|date=October 19, 2012|work=Pro Publica|access-date=April 7, 2013}}</ref> 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.[[File:Tech backscatter.jpg|160px|thumb|An older Rapiscan [[X-ray backscatter|backscatter]] X-ray scanner]] [[File:Backscatter large.jpg|thumb|160px|[[X-ray backscatter]] technology produces an image that resembles a chalk etching.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tsa.gov/approach/tech/ait/how_it_works.shtm |title=TSA: How it Works |publisher=Tsa.gov |access-date=January 16, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111221030830/http://www.tsa.gov/approach/tech/ait/how_it_works.shtm |archive-date=December 21, 2011 }}</ref>]]Full-body scanners have also proven controversial due to privacy and health concerns. The [[American Civil Liberties Union]] has called the scanners a "virtual strip search."<ref name="Puzzanghera">
Jim Puzzanghera, [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-nov-22-la-na-tsa-pat-downs-20101122-story.html 'Invasive' airport pat-downs not going away for the holidays], [[Los Angeles Times]], November 22, 2010.</ref> Female passengers have complained that they are often singled out for scanning, and a review of TSA records by a local CBS affiliate in Dallas found "a pattern of women who believe that there was nothing random about the way they were selected for extra screening."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/dfw/news/female-passengers-say-theyre-targeted-by-tsa/|title=Female Passengers Say They're Targeted By TSA|date=February 13, 2012|work=CBS Dallas|access-date=April 7, 2013}}</ref>

The TSA, on their website, states that they have "implemented strict measures to protect passenger privacy which is ensured through the anonymity of the image,"<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120311010041/http://www.tsa.gov/approach/tech/ait/index.shtm "Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT)"] - Retrieved September 19, 2012,</ref> and additionally states that these technologies "cannot store, print, transmit or save the image, and the image is automatically deleted from the system after it is cleared by the remotely located security officer."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tsa.gov/ait-privacy|title=AIT: Privacy|date=December 24, 2012|publisher=Transportation Security Administration|access-date=April 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130215190320/http://www.tsa.gov/ait-privacy|archive-date=February 15, 2013}}</ref> This claim, however, was proven false after multiple incidents involving leaked images. The machines do in fact have the ability to "save" the images and while this function is purported to be "turned off" by the TSA in screenings, TSA training facilities have the save function turned on.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Norman|first1=Joshua|title=Naked Body Scan Images Never Saved, TSA Says|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/naked-body-scan-images-never-saved-tsa-says/|access-date=November 23, 2014|work=CBS News|date=November 16, 2010}}</ref><ref>[https://gizmodo.com/5690749/these-are-the-first-100-leaked-body-scans One Hundred Naked Citizens: One Hundred Leaked Body Scans] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011050549/http://gizmodo.com/5690749/these-are-the-first-100-leaked-body-scans |date=October 11, 2016 }}. Gizmodo.com. Retrieved on April 28, 2014.</ref>

As early as 2010, the TSA began to test scanners that would produce less intrusive "stick figures".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2010/11/19/131450769/airport-body-scanners-transform-travelers-into-stick-figures|title=Airport Scanners Transform Bodies Into Stick Figures: NPR|last=Smith|first=Novia|date=November 19, 2010|work=[[NPR]]|access-date=April 7, 2013}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":1">[http://news.cheapflights.com/2011/02/tsa-tests-modesty-saving-threat-detection-software/ News.cheapflights.com] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723181430/http://news.cheapflights.com/2011/02/tsa-tests-modesty-saving-threat-detection-software/ |date=July 23, 2011 }}</ref> The TSA announced in 2013 that the [[Rapiscan Systems|Rapiscan's]] backscatter scanners would no longer be used since the manufacturer of the machines could not produce "privacy software" to abstract the near-nude images that agents view and turn them into stick-like figures. The TSA continues to use other full-body scanners.<ref>[https://archive.today/20130409115649/http://www.federaltimes.com/article/20130121/TRAVEL02/301210002/TSA-dumps-near-naked-Rapiscan-body-scanners]"TSA dumps near-naked Rapiscan
body scanners"</ref>

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". Ionizing radiation is considered a non-threshold [[carcinogen]], but it is difficult to quantify the risk of low radiation exposures.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Leon Mullenders |author2=Mike Atkinson |author3=Herwig Paretzke |author4=Laure Sabatier |author5=Simon Bouffler |title=Assessing cancer risks of low-dose radiation |journal=Nature Reviews Cancer |volume=9 |issue=8 |pages=596–604 |year=2009 |doi=10.1038/nrc2677 |pmid=19629073 |s2cid=10610131}}</ref> 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]].<ref name="Cancer.org">{{cite web |title=Radiation Exposure and Cancer |url=http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/CancerCauses/OtherCarcinogens/MedicalTreatments/radiation-exposure-and-cancer |publisher=cancer.org |access-date=December 1, 2011 |archive-date=April 6, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140406123124/http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/othercarcinogens/medicaltreatments/radiation-exposure-and-cancer |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Ryan 2000">{{cite journal |vauthors=Ryan KL, D'Andrea JA, Jauchem JR, Mason PA |title=Radio frequency radiation of millimeter wave length: potential occupational safety issues relating to surface heating |journal=[[Health Physics (journal)|Health Physics]] |volume=78 |issue=2 |pages=170–81 |date=February 2000 |pmid=10647983 |doi=10.1097/00004032-200002000-00006 |url=https://zenodo.org/record/1234790}} ''"Thus, it is clear that RF radiation is not genotoxic and therefore cannot initiate cancer... the majority of such studies have shown that chronic exposure of animals to RF in the range of 435 to 2,450 MHz did not significantly alter the development of tumors in a number of animal cancer models... the same acceleration of skin cancer development and reduction in survival occurred in animals exposed to chronic confinement stress in the absence of RF exposure, suggesting that the RF effect could possibly be due to a non-specific stress reaction."''</ref><ref name=carcinogenesis>{{cite journal|author1=Patrick Mason |author2=Thomas J. Walters |author3=John DiGiovanni |author4=Charles W. Beason |author5=James R. Jauchem |author6=Edward J. Dick Jr |author7=Kavita Mahajan |author8=Steven J. Dusch |author9=Beth A. Shields |author10=James H. Merritt |author11=Michael R. Murphy |author12=Kathy L. Ryan |title=Lack of effect of 94&nbsp;GHz radio frequency radiation exposure in an animal model of skin carcinogenesis|journal=Carcinogenesis|date=June 14, 2001|volume=22|issue=10|pages=1701–1708|doi=10.1093/carcin/22.10.1701|pmid=11577012 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

====TSA PreCheck====
{{main|TSA PreCheck}}

[[File:TSA Precheck logo.svg|thumb|right|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]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tsa.gov/travel/special-procedures/military-travelers |title=Military Travel |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=n.d. |website=TSA.gov |publisher=Transportation Security Administration |access-date=July 22, 2019 |quote=All members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including those serving in the Reserves and National Guard can benefit from TSA Pre✓® expedited screening at select airports when flying on participating airlines. Cadets and midshipmen of the U.S. Military Academy, Naval Academy, Coast Guard Academy and Air Force Academy are also eligible to receive TSA Pre✓® screening benefits. Use your Department of Defense identification number when making flight reservations.}}</ref> to receive expedited screening for domestic and select international itineraries.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/08/business/tsa-eases-security-for-chosen-fliers.html|title=ON THE ROAD; For the Chosen Fliers, Security Check Is a Breeze|last=Sharkey|first=Joe|date=November 8, 2011|work=The New York Times|page=9|access-date=April 6, 2013}}</ref> As of March 2019, this program was available at more than 200 airports.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tsa.gov/precheck/map|title=TSA Pre✓® Airports and Airlines|website=Transportation Security Administration}}</ref> After completing a background check, being fingerprinted,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/travel/stuck-line-tsa-precheck-expansion-slowing-down-frequent-travelers-8C11484578|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140205051721/http://www.nbcnews.com/travel/stuck-line-tsa-precheck-expansion-slowing-down-frequent-travelers-8C11484578|url-status=dead|title=Stuck in line: TSA PreCheck expansion slowing down frequent travelers|website=[[NBC News]]|archive-date=February 5, 2014}}</ref> and paying an $85 fee, travelers will get a Known Traveler Number. The program has led to complaints of unfairness and longer wait lines.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-03-21/tsa-chief-john-pistole-gets-into-a-knife-fight|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130324003055/http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-03-21/tsa-chief-john-pistole-gets-into-a-knife-fight|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 24, 2013|title=TSA Chief John Pistole Gets Into a Knife Fight|author=Jeff Plungis|date=March 22, 2013|work=Bloomberg.com}}</ref> [[Aeromexico]], [[Etihad Airways]], [[Cape Air]], and [[Seaborne Airlines]] joined the program bringing the total number of member carriers to 16.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.futuretravelexperience.com/2016/06/aeromexico-etihad-cape-air-seaborne-airlines-join-tsa-precheck/# |title=Aeromexico, Etihad, Cape Air and Seaborne join TSA PreCheck |date=June 3, 2016 |access-date=June 7, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617084145/http://www.futuretravelexperience.com/2016/06/aeromexico-etihad-cape-air-seaborne-airlines-join-tsa-precheck/ |archive-date=June 17, 2016 }}</ref> On December 15, 2015, the program expanded to include [[Allegiant Air]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tsa.gov/news/releases/2015/12/15/tsa-precheck-expands-include-allegiant |title=TSA Pre✓® expands to include Allegiant |access-date=September 21, 2017 |date=December 15, 2015 |publisher=Transportation Security Administration |archive-date=September 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922101414/https://www.tsa.gov/news/releases/2015/12/15/tsa-precheck-expands-include-allegiant |url-status=dead }}</ref> On June 21, 2016, it was announced that [[Frontier Airlines]] and [[Spirit Airlines]] will also join the program starting in the fall of 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.denverpost.com/2016/06/21/frontier-airlines-joins-tsa-precheck/ |title=Frontier Airlines to join TSA PreCheck program |date=June 21, 2016 |access-date=June 27, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910123054/http://www.denverpost.com/2016/06/21/frontier-airlines-joins-tsa-precheck/ |archive-date=September 10, 2016 }}</ref> On August 31, 2016, the program expanded to include [[Lufthansa]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tsa.gov/news/releases/2016/08/31/tsa-partners-lufthansa-offer-tsa-precheck-0 |title=TSA partners with Lufthansa to offer TSA Pre✓® |access-date=September 21, 2017 |date=August 31, 2016 |publisher=Transportation Security Administration |archive-date=September 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922101531/https://www.tsa.gov/news/releases/2016/08/31/tsa-partners-lufthansa-offer-tsa-precheck-0 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and on September 29, 2016, [[Frontier Airlines]] was added.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tsa.gov/news/releases/2016/09/29/tsa-partners-frontier-airlines-offer-tsa-precheck-0 |title=TSA partners with Frontier Airlines to offer TSA Pre✓® |access-date=September 21, 2017 |date=September 29, 2016 |publisher=Transportation Security Administration |archive-date=September 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922101542/https://www.tsa.gov/news/releases/2016/09/29/tsa-partners-frontier-airlines-offer-tsa-precheck-0 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2017, 11 more airlines were added on January 26,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tsa.gov/news/releases/2017/01/26/tsa-partners-11-additional-airlines-offer-tsa-precheck |title=TSA partners with 11 additional airlines to offer TSA Pre✓® |access-date=September 21, 2017 |date=January 26, 2017 |publisher=Transportation Security Administration |archive-date=September 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922101827/https://www.tsa.gov/news/releases/2017/01/26/tsa-partners-11-additional-airlines-offer-tsa-precheck |url-status=dead }}</ref> and another seven were added on May 25.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tsa.gov/news/releases/2017/05/25/tsa-precheck-expands-include-7-more-domestic-and-international-airlines |title=TSA Pre✓® expands to include 7 more domestic and international airlines |access-date=September 21, 2017 |date=May 25, 2017 |publisher=Transportation Security Administration |archive-date=September 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922101954/https://www.tsa.gov/news/releases/2017/05/25/tsa-precheck-expands-include-7-more-domestic-and-international-airlines |url-status=dead }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/22/business/security-check-now-starts-long-before-you-fly.html|title=Security Check Now Starts Long Before You Fly|date=October 22, 2013|work=The New York Times}}</ref>

====Changes====
=====Large printer cartridges ban=====
After the October 2010 [[2010 cargo plane bomb plot|cargo planes bomb plot]], in which cargo containing [[laser printer]]s with [[toner cartridge]]s filled with explosives were discovered on separate cargo planes, the U.S. prohibited passengers from carrying certain printer cartridges on flights.<ref name="washingtonpost3">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/02/AR2010110200276.html|last1=Apuzzo|first1=Matt|author-link1=Matt Apuzzo  |last2=Sullivan|first2=Eileen|author-link2=Eileen Sullivan  |title=Officials suspect Sept. dry run for bomb plot |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=November 3, 2010 |access-date=November 2, 2010|agency=Associated Press}}</ref> The TSA said it would ban toner and [[ink cartridge]]s weighing over 16 ounces (453&nbsp;grams) from all passenger flights.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/news/international/uk-plane-bombs-explosions-were-possible-over-u-s-ncx-20101110 |title=UK: Plane Bombs Explosions Were Possible Over U.S |publisher=Fox News |access-date=November 17, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329061859/http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/news/international/uk-plane-bombs-explosions-were-possible-over-u-s-ncx-20101110 |archive-date=March 29, 2012 }}</ref><ref name="pcmag1">{{cite news|last=Hoffman |first=Tony |url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2372313,00.asp |title=U.S. Bans Large Printer Ink, Toner Cartridges on Inbound Flights |publisher=PC Mag |date=November 8, 2010 |access-date=November 17, 2010}}</ref> The ban applies to both carry-on bags and checked bags, and does not affect average travelers, whose toner cartridges are generally lighter.<ref name="pcmag1"/>

=====November 2010 enhanced screening procedures=====
Beginning in November 2010, TSA added new enhanced screening procedures. Passengers are required to choose between an enhanced [[patdown]] (allowing TSOs to more thoroughly check areas on the body such as waistbands, groin, and inner thigh)<ref name="AP112310">{{cite news|last1=Sullivan|first1=Eileen|author-link1=Eileen Sullivan |last2=Kellman|first2=Laurie |last3=Crustinger|first3=Martin|last4=Margasak|first4=Larry |url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101123/ap_on_bi_ge/us_airport_security_vips |agency=Associated Press |date=November 23, 2010 |title=TSA: Some gov't officials to skip airport security |access-date=November 23, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125153320/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101123/ap_on_bi_ge/us_airport_security_vips |archive-date=November 25, 2010 }}</ref> or instead to be imaged by the use of a [[full body scanner]] (that is, either [[backscatter X-ray]] or [[millimeter wave scanner|millimeter wave detection]] machines) in order to fly. These changes were made in reaction to the [[Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab]] bombing attempt.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/money_co/2010/11/new-poll-says-61-oppose-new-airport-security-measures.html|title=Poll finds 61% oppose new airport security measures|last=Martin|first=Hugo|date=November 23, 2010|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 7, 2013}}</ref>

=====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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://700wlw.iheart.com/onair/aviation-blog-jay-ratliff-43304/tsas-moneysaving-plan-screen-after-the-14643459/|title=TSA's Money-Saving Plan: Screen after the flight?? &#124; Aviation Blog - Jay Ratliff &#124; 700WLW|date=August 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816064154/http://700wlw.iheart.com/onair/aviation-blog-jay-ratliff-43304/tsas-moneysaving-plan-screen-after-the-14643459/|access-date=August 23, 2020|archive-date=August 16, 2016}}</ref>

=====March 2017 electronic device restrictions=====
On March 21, 2017, the TSA banned electronic devices larger than [[smartphone]]s 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".<ref name="ars-tsa17ban">{{cite web|title=TSA explains why it won't allow electronics on some USA-bound flights [Updated]|url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2017/03/government-bans-electronics-on-us-bound-flights-from-10-airports/|website=Ars Technica|date=March 21, 2017|access-date=March 21, 2017}}</ref><ref name="CBC-nsa17ban">{{cite web|title=What to know about the new airline electronics bans|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/electronics-ban-flights-us-middle-east-1.4034311|website=CBC News|access-date=March 21, 2017}}</ref> The restrictions were ended in July following changes in screening procedures at the specified airports.

=====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.<ref name="Sharkey">Joe Sharkey, [https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/16/business/16road.html?_r=1&ref=joe_sharkey Screening Protests Grow as Holiday Crunch Looms] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221235651/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/16/business/16road.html?_r=1&ref=joe_sharkey |date=February 21, 2015 }}, ''[[New York Times]]'', November 15, 2010.</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110722040738/http://usairlinepilots.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7709several President's Message], [[US Airline Pilots Association]] press release, November 8, 2010.</ref> Two airline pilots filed suit against the procedures.<ref>Steve Everly and Randy Heaster, [http://www.kansascity.com/2010/11/19/2454162/airline-security-gets-private.htm Airline security gets private]{{dead link|date=October 2012}}, [[The Kansas City Star]], November 19, 2010.</ref>

In March 2011, two [[New Hampshire]] [[New Hampshire House of Representatives|state representatives]] introduced proposed legislation that would criminalize as [[sexual assault]] invasive TSA pat-downs made without [[probable cause]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Andrew J. |last=Manuse |title=Rep. Andrew J. Manuse: Why I sponsored the TSA 'don't touch my junk' bill |date=March 7, 2011 |url=http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Rep.+Andrew+J.+Manuse%3A+Why+I+sponsored+the+TSA+%27don%27t+touch+my+junk%27+bill&articleId=efce1bff-2306-4c81-accc-595d35f06027 |work=[[New Hampshire Union Leader]] |access-date=March 21, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006020917/http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Rep.+Andrew+J.+Manuse%3A+Why+I+sponsored+the+TSA+%27don%27t+touch+my+junk%27+bill&articleId=efce1bff-2306-4c81-accc-595d35f06027 |archive-date=October 6, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | first = Josh | last = Rogers | title = O'Brien Applauds Vote to Retain Anti-TSA Bill | date = March 10, 2011 | url = http://www.nhpr.org/obrien-applauds-vote-retain-anti-tsa-bill | work = [[New Hampshire Public Radio]] | access-date = March 21, 2011 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110311213906/http://www.nhpr.org/obrien-applauds-vote-retain-anti-tsa-bill | archive-date = March 11, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | first = Lauren | last = Frayer | title = Man With 4th Amendment on Chest Sues Over Airport Arrest | date = March 15, 2011 | url = http://www.aolnews.com/2011/03/15/aaron-tobey-student-with-4th-amendment-on-chest-sues-over-airp/ | work = [[AOL News]] | access-date = March 21, 2011 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110323235856/http://www.aolnews.com/2011/03/15/aaron-tobey-student-with-4th-amendment-on-chest-sues-over-airp/ | archive-date = March 23, 2011 }}</ref> In May 2011, the [[Texas House of Representatives]] passed a bill that would make it illegal for Transportation Security Administration officials to touch a person's genitals when carrying out a [[Frisking|patdown]]. The bill failed in the [[Texas Senate|Senate]] after the [[United States Department of Justice|Department of Justice]] threatened to make Texas a [[no-fly zone]] if the legislation passed.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sullum|first=Jacob|title=Feds Threaten No-Fly Zone Over Texas|url=http://reason.com/blog/2011/05/25/feds-threaten-no-fly-zone-over|access-date=May 25, 2011|newspaper=[[Reason (magazine)|Reason]]|date=May 25, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Hill|first=Kashmir|title=TSA Threatens To Cancel All Flights Out Of Texas If 'Groping Bill' Passed|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kashmirhill/2011/05/25/tsa-threatens-to-cancel-all-flights-out-of-texas-if-groping-bill-passed/|access-date=March 8, 2013|newspaper=[[Forbes]]|date=May 25, 2011}}</ref> In the [[United States House of Representatives]], [[Ron Paul]] introduced the [[American Traveler Dignity Act]] (H.R.6416),<ref>[https://nymag.com/daily/intel/2010/11/ron_paul_would_like_to_give_yo.html Ron Paul Would Like to Give You Back Your Dignity] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023033953/http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2010/11/ron_paul_would_like_to_give_yo.html |date=October 23, 2012 }}, New York magazine, November 18, 2010</ref> but it stalled in committee.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/6416?s=1&r=36|title=H.R.6416 - 111th Congress (2009-2010): American Traveller Dignity Act of 2010|date=November 17, 2010}}</ref>

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 to the United States Constitution|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 (United States)|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.<ref>[https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2012/08/court-orders-tsa-to-justify-year-long-defiance-of-the-law/ ARS Technica] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420064638/http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2012/08/court-orders-tsa-to-justify-year-long-defiance-of-the-law/ |date=April 20, 2016 }}- Posted August 2, 2012; Retrieved August 8, 2012,</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2012/08/tsa-no-scanner-stonewalling/ |title=TSA Denies Stonewalling Nude Body-Scanner Court Order |magazine=Wired |access-date=September 3, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219020907/http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2012/08/tsa-no-scanner-stonewalling/ |archive-date=February 19, 2014 }} TSA Denies Stonewalling Nude Body-Scanner Court Order.</ref> The comment period began on March 25, 2013<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-03-22/tsa-to-ask-public-about-naked-image-scanners-pat-downs |title=TSA to Ask Public About Naked-Image Scanners, Pat-Downs - Businessweek |access-date=March 9, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130330003711/http://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-03-22/tsa-to-ask-public-about-naked-image-scanners-pat-downs |archive-date=March 30, 2013 }} TSA to Ask Public About Naked Image Scanners, Pat-downs</ref><ref name="regulations">{{cite web|url=http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=TSA-2013-0004-0001|title=NPRM: Passenger Screening Using Advanced Imaging Technology (Federal Register Publication)|date=March 25, 2013|publisher=Regulations.gov|access-date=April 7, 2013}}</ref> and closed on June 25, 2013, with over 90% of the comments against the scanners.<ref name="regulations" /> 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.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://intransit.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/19/t-s-a-screening-measures-draw-virtual-protests/?src=twrhp | work=The New York Times | first=Sara J. | last=Welch | title=T.S.A. Screening Measures Draw Virtual Protests | date=November 19, 2010}}</ref> The enhanced pat-down procedures were also the genesis of the "[[Don't touch my junk]]" [[Internet meme|meme]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2010/nov/17/junk-conquers-pop-culture-universe/|title="Junk" catchphrase rockets into pop culture lexicon|last=Rowe|first=Peter|date=November 17, 2010|work=San Diego Union-Tribune|access-date=April 7, 2013}}</ref>

===Checked baggage===<!--More than two companies make TSA locks-->
[[File:TSA Lock.JPG|thumb|TSA lock with symbol and general key access]]
[[File:lol key escrow.jpg|thumb|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 [[padlock]]s, 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]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/life/david-bear/david-bear-separating-needles-from-haystacks-446962/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130615222416/http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/life/david-bear/david-bear-separating-needles-from-haystacks-446962/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 15, 2013|title=Separating needles from haystacks|last=Bear|first=David|date=August 20, 2006|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|access-date=April 6, 2013}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://abc7news.com/archive/8888928/|title=TSA-approved luggage locks don't always keep belongings safe|work=ABC7 San Francisco}}</ref> Travel journalist and ''[[National Geographic Traveler]]'' editor Christopher Elliott describes these locks as "useless" at protecting the goods within,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/24187702/ns/travel-travel_tips/t/tips-ensure-tsa-doesnt-swipe-your-stuff/#.UzUVFK14Ebk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130627114609/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/24187702/ns/travel-travel_tips/t/tips-ensure-tsa-doesnt-swipe-your-stuff#.UzUVFK14Ebk|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 27, 2013|title=Tips to ensure the TSA doesn't swipe your stuff|last=Elliot|first=Christopher|date=April 21, 2008|work=[[NBCNews.com]]|access-date=March 28, 2014}}</ref> whereas SmarterTravel wrote in early 2010 that the "jury is out on their effectiveness", while noting how easy they are to open.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/today-in-travel/who-responsible-for-items-stolen-from-your-bag.html?id=4300633|title=Who's Responsible for Items Stolen From Your Bag?|last=Unger|first=Carl|date=February 11, 2010|work=[[TripAdvisor|SmarterTravel]]|access-date=March 28, 2014}}</ref>

In November 2014, The ''Washington Post'' inadvertently published a photograph of all seven of the TSA master keys in an article<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/where-oh-where-did-my-luggage-go/2014/11/24/16d168c6-69da-11e4-a31c-77759fc1eacc_story.html|title=The secret life of baggage: Where does your luggage go at the airport?|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=September 15, 2015}}</ref> about TSA baggage handling. The photograph was later removed from the original article, but it still appears in some syndicated copies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20141130/NEWS02/141139966|title=What happens to baggage at airports?|work=The Daily Herald|date=November 29, 2014}}</ref> In August 2015, this gained the attention of news sites.<ref name="dangers">{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2015/08/22/tsa-reveals-master-baggage-keys/|title=TSA inadvertently shows the dangers of master baggage keys|publisher=AOL|work=Engadget|date=August 22, 2015 }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/2015/09/lockpickers-3-d-print-tsa-luggage-keys-leaked-photos/|title=Lockpickers 3-D Print TSA Master Luggage Keys From Leaked Photos|magazine=Wired|publisher=WIRED Magazine|access-date=September 15, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2015/09/11/tsa-master-baggage-keys-3d-print/|title=3D-printable files of TSA master baggage keys are out for download|publisher=AOL|work=Engadget|date=September 11, 2015 }}</ref> The incident has prompted discussion about the security implications of using master keys.<ref name="dangers" />

=== 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=TSA revises cybersecurity requirements for oil and gas pipelines |url=https://www.utilitydive.com/news/tsa-cyber-requirements-oil-gas/627929/ |access-date=2022-08-07 |website=Utility Dive |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Criticism and controversy ==

=== Effectiveness of screening procedures ===
[[File:TSA Red Team logo.png|thumb|200x200px|The logo of TSA's [[red team]] which includes a [[Black swan theory|black swan]]]]
Undercover operations to test the effectiveness of airport screening processes are routinely carried out by the TSA's Office of Investigations,<ref name="Elias2010">{{cite book |last=Elias |first=Bart |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nW3kZay_eKEC&pg=PT11 |title=Airport Passenger Screening: Background and Issues for Congress |date=April 2010 |publisher=DIANE Publishing |isbn=9781437923223 |pages=11– |access-date=April 7, 2013}}</ref> TSA's [[red team]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=TSA Inspections |date=November 5, 2019 |title=TSA Inspection: Red Team Overview |url=https://alert.northeastern.edu/assets/adsa/adsa21_presentations/12_Pinegar.pdf |website=[[Northeastern University]]}}</ref> and the [[Department of Homeland Security]] [[Inspector General]]'s office. Some measures employed by the TSA have been accused of being ineffective and fostering a false sense of safety.<ref>{{cite news |author=Robert W. Poole Jr. |title=False Security |work=[[New York Post]] / [[Reason Foundation]] |date=December 5, 2001 |url=http://reason.org/news/show/122531.html |access-date=August 3, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=[[Ron Paul]] (U.S. Congressman) |title=TSA- Bullies at the Airport |work=Ron Paul's Texas Straight Talk |publisher=house.gov |date=November 29, 2004 |url=http://www.house.gov/paul/tst/tst2004/tst112904.htm |access-date=August 3, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080802162924/http://www.house.gov/paul/tst/tst2004/tst112904.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = August 2, 2008}}</ref> This led security expert [[Bruce Schneier]] to coin the term ''[[security theater]]'' to describe those measures.<ref>{{cite book| last = Schneier  |first = Bruce |author-link = Bruce Schneier |title = Beyond Fear: Thinking Sensibly about Security in an Uncertain World |publisher = Copernicus Books |year = 2003 |isbn = 978-0-387-02620-6 |page = [https://archive.org/details/beyondfearthinki00schn_0/page/38 38] |url-access = registration |url = https://archive.org/details/beyondfearthinki00schn_0/page/38}}</ref>

A 2004 report by the [[Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General]] found that TSA officials had collaborated with [[Covenant Aviation Security]] (CAS) at [[San Francisco International Airport]] to alert screeners to undercover tests.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dhs.gov/xoig/assets/mgmtrpts/OIG_07-04_Oct06.pdf |author=Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General |title=Review of Allegations Regarding San Francisco International Airport, OIG-07-04 |date=October 2006 |access-date=November 22, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527231442/https://www.dhs.gov/xoig/assets/mgmtrpts/OIG_07-04_Oct06.pdf |archive-date=May 27, 2010 |author-link=Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General }}</ref> From August 2003 until May 2004, precise descriptions of the undercover personnel were provided to the screeners. The handing out of descriptions was then stopped, but until January 2005 screeners were still alerted whenever undercover operations were being undertaken.<ref>[http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/11/17/BAG72MESP91.DTL San Francisco International Airport Screening tests were sabotaged]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111114083057/http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2006%2F11%2F17%2FBAG72MESP91.DTL |date=November 14, 2011 }}, ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'', November 17, 2006</ref> When no wrongdoing on the part of CAS was found, the contract was extended for four years. Some CAS and TSA workers received disciplinary action, but none were fired.<ref name="sfgate2006">{{cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/SAN-FRANCISCO-INTERNATIONAL-AIRPORT-Screening-2484529.php|author= Jim Doyle|title=San Francisco International Airport / Screening tests were sabotaged / Security workers were warned when undercover agent arrived  |work=The San Francisco Chronicle|date=November 17, 2006 |access-date=November 22, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Aaron C. Davis |url=http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2006Nov17/0,4670,SanFranciscoAirport,00.html |title=SF Airport Cheated Security Tests |publisher=FOX News |date=November 17, 2006 |access-date=November 22, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110730075020/http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2006Nov17/0%2C4670%2CSanFranciscoAirport%2C00.html |archive-date=July 30, 2011 }}</ref>

A report on undercover operations conducted in October 2006 at [[Newark Liberty International Airport]] was leaked to the press. The screeners had failed 20 of 22 undercover security tests, missing numerous guns and bombs. The [[Government Accountability Office]] had previously pointed to repeated covert test failures by TSA personnel.<ref>[http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=screeners28&date=20061028 Airport screeners fail to see most test bombs] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080131175452/http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=screeners28&date=20061028 |date=January 31, 2008 }}, ''[[The Seattle Times]]'', October 28, 2006</ref><ref>[http://www.consumerist.com/consumer/airlines/newark-airport-screeners-fail-to-find-hidden-weapons-in-federal-test-211044.php?mail2=true Screeners at Newark fail to find 'weapons'] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070301181902/http://www.consumerist.com/consumer/airlines/newark-airport-screeners-fail-to-find-hidden-weapons-in-federal-test-211044.php?mail2=true |date=March 1, 2007 }}{{spaced ndash}}Agents got 20 of 22 'devices' past staff. ''[[The Star-Ledger]]'', October 27, 2006.</ref> Revealing the results of covert tests is against TSA policy, and the agency responded by initiating an internal probe to discover the source of the leak.<ref>[http://www.whistleblower.org/content/press_detail.cfm?press_id=663 TSA seeks source of leaks on airport security tests], ''The Star-Ledger'', October 31, 2006 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927221915/http://www.whistleblower.org/content/press_detail.cfm?press_id=663 |date=September 27, 2007 }}</ref>

In July 2007, the ''[[Times Union (Albany)|Times Union]]'' of [[Albany, New York]] reported that TSA screeners at [[Albany International Airport]] failed multiple covert security tests conducted by the TSA. Among them was a failure to detect a fake bomb.<ref>{{cite news |title=Fake Bomb Eludes Airport Test |url=http://archives.timesunion.com/mweb/wmsql.wm.request?oneimage&imageid=6466589 |work=Times Union |location=Albany, NY |date=July 4, 2007 }}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

In December 2010, ABC News Houston reported in an article about a man who accidentally took a forgotten gun through airport security, that "the failure rate approaches 70 percent at some major airports".<ref name="quinn">{{cite news|last=Quinn|first=Kevin|title=Man boards plane at IAH with loaded gun in carry-on|url=https://abc13.com/archive/7848683/|access-date=May 12, 2011|newspaper=ABC News KTRK-TV/DT Houston|date=December 17, 2010|archive-date=June 29, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629051305/http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news%2Flocal&id=7848683|url-status=live}}</ref>

In June 2011, TSA fired 36 screeners at the [[Honolulu International Airport|Honolulu airport]] for regularly allowing bags through without being inspected.<ref>Poole, Robert (September 19, 2011) [http://www.cnn.com/2011/TRAVEL/06/10/tsa.screeners/index.html Massive firing at HNL Honolulu Airport], [[CNN]]</ref>

In 2011, an artist, Geoff McGann, was detained by the TSA, arrested, and charged for wearing a watch which contained visible wiring and fuse-like elements, despite containing no explosive ingredients.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Stampler |first1=Laura |title=This Adman Was Arrested At An Airport For Having A Bomb-Like Watch |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/geoff-mcgann-arrested-in-airport-for-his-watch-2012-11 |website=Business Insider |access-date=11 January 2023}}</ref>

In March 2012, American attorney Jonathan Corbett published video demonstrating a vulnerability in TSA's body scanners that would allow metallic objects to pass undetected.<ref>{{cite news |title=Blogger shows the world how to sneak anything past TSA's nude body scanners [video] |url=https://bgr.com/general/blogger-shows-the-world-how-to-sneak-anything-past-tsas-nude-body-scanners-video/ |work=BGR |date=March 7, 2012 }}</ref> TSA downplayed, though did not deny, the vulnerability,<ref>{{cite magazine |title=TSA Pooh-Poohs Video Purporting to Defeat Airport Body Scanners |url=https://www.wired.com/2012/03/bodyscanner-video/ |magazine=Wired |date=March 7, 2012 }}</ref> and researchers later confirmed its existence.<ref>{{cite news |title=Security Analysis of a Full-Body Scanner |url=https://radsec.org/secure1000-sec14.pdf |work=RadSec |date=August 20, 2014 }}</ref>

In May 2012, a report from the [[Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General]] stated that the TSA "does not have a complete understanding" of breaches at the nation's airports, with some hubs doing very little to fix or report security breaches. These findings will be{{update inline|date=September 2021}} presented to Congress.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/15/us/tsa-breaches/index.html?hpt%3Dhp_bn1 |title=Report: TSA security breaches mishandled |website=[[CNN]] |date=May 15, 2012 |access-date=May 16, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305091656/http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/15/us/tsa-breaches/index.html?hpt=hp_bn1 |archive-date=March 5, 2016 }} Report: TSA Security Breaches Mishandled</ref> Rep. [[Darrell Issa]], then-chairman of the [[House Oversight and Government Reform Committee]], and Rep. [[John Mica]], then-chairman of the [[House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee]], were reported in 2012 to have had several joint hearings concerning the cost and benefits of the various safety programs including full-body scanners, the [[Transportation Worker Identification Credential]] (TWIC), and the behavior detection program, among others.<ref>[https://archive.today/20130421173438/http://www.hstoday.us/single-article/joint-house-hearing-questions-effectiveness-of-tsa-aviation-security-measures/a25e6380c21445a2d31eb9d54b2b6f66.html Joint house hearing]- Retrieved August 19, 2012</ref>

A 2015 investigation by the Homeland Security Inspector General revealed that undercover investigators were able to smuggle banned items through checkpoints in 95% of their attempts.<ref>{{cite web |author=Fishel |first1=Justin |last2=Thomas |first2=Pierre |last3=Levine |first3=Mike |last4=Date |first4=Jack |date=2015-06-01 |title=TSA failure: Investigators able to smuggle weapons past airport checks in 95 percent of tests |url=http://www.newsnet5.com/news/national/tsa-failure-investigators-able-to-smuggle-weapons-past-airport-checks-in-95-percent-of-tests |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150601165024/http://www.newsnet5.com/news/national/tsa-failure-investigators-able-to-smuggle-weapons-past-airport-checks-in-95-percent-of-tests |archive-date=June 1, 2015 |work=[[WEWS-TV|NewsNet5]]}}</ref>

====Unintended consequences of screening enhancements====
Two studies by a group of [[Cornell University]] researchers asserted that increased airport security may have increased road fatalities, as would-be air travelers decide to drive and are exposed to the far greater risk of dying in a car accident.<ref name="cornell1" /><ref name="cornell2" /> In 2005, the researchers looked at the immediate aftermath of the attacks of September 11, 2001, and found that the change in passenger travel modes led to 242 added driving deaths per month.<ref name="cornell1">{{cite journal|last=Blalock|first=Garrick|author2=Vrinda Kadiyali |author3=Daniel H. Simon |date=February 10, 2005|title=The Impact of 9/11 on Road Fatalities: The Other Lives Lost to Terrorism|journal=SSRN Working Paper Series|issn=1556-5068|doi=10.2139/ssrn.677549|ssrn=677549|s2cid=166297695|doi-access=free}}</ref> In all, they estimated that about 1,200 driving deaths could be attributed to the short-term effects of the attacks. The study attributes the change in traveler behavior to two factors: fear of terrorist attacks and the wish to avoid the inconvenience of strict security measures; no attempt is made to estimate separately the influence of each of these two factors.

In 2007, the researchers studied the specific effects of a change to security practices instituted by the TSA in late 2002. They concluded that this change reduced the number of air travelers by 6%, and estimated that consequently, 129 more people died in car accidents in the fourth quarter of 2002.<ref name="cornell2">{{cite web|url=https://aem.cornell.edu/faculty_sites/gb78/wp/JLE_6301.pdf |title=AEM.cornell.edu |access-date=January 16, 2012}}</ref> Extrapolating this rate of fatalities, ''New York Times'' contributor [[Nate Silver]] remarked that this is equivalent to "four fully loaded Boeing 737s crashing each year."<ref>{{cite news|last=Silver |first=Nate |url=http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/18/the-hidden-costs-of-extra-airport-security/?partner=rss&emc=rss |title=The Hidden Costs of Extra Security - NYTimes.com |publisher=Fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com |date= November 18, 2010|access-date=November 19, 2010}}</ref> The 2007 study also noted that strict airport security hurts the airline industry; it was estimated that the 6% reduction in the number of passengers in the fourth quarter of 2002 cost the industry $1.1 billion in lost business.<ref name="Blalock2007">{{cite journal|last=Blalock|first=Garrick|author2=Vrinda Kadiyali |author3=Daniel H. Simon |year=2007|title=The Impact of Post-9/11 Airport Security Measures on the Demand for Air Travel|journal=The Journal of Law and Economics|volume=50|issue=4|pages=731–755|issn=0022-2186|doi=10.1086/519816|s2cid=681649}}</ref>

===Sexual assaults===

In April 2015, NBC Denver news ran a story on two related employees coordinating amongst themselves to falsely flag attractive passengers for groping. According to NBC, while the TSA fired the employees, it took steps to protect the identity of the employees, which NBC suggested was an effort to shield them from state prosecution. The state prosecutor eventually declined to charge the individuals, as none of the unknowingly groped passengers had come forward to complain. Following the incident, Time magazine ran a story quoting a former TSA employee, who claimed groping is business as usual.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-04-20 |title=TSA Screeners Fired In Groping Scandal Both In 20s, No Criminal Records - CBS Colorado |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/tsa-screeners-fired-in-groping-scandal-both-in-20s-no-criminal-records/ |access-date=2023-10-02 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=2015-04-15 |title=Former TSA Agent: Groping Scandal Is Business as Usual |url=https://time.com/3822487/tsa-sexual-assault-denver/ |access-date=2023-10-02 |magazine=Time |language=en}}</ref>

In August 2015, a TSA agent was charged for sexually assaulting a Korean exchange student at New York LaGuardia Airport. After the woman complied with his order to go into the restroom for further screening, the agent assaulted her. TSA in a press release after firing the worker stated passengers should be aware it does not screen people after the pass through security — this despite TSA having dogs in secure areas sniffing luggage for contraband that would require a human inspection.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-08-28 |title=TSA Agent Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Woman In LaGuardia Airport Bathroom - CBS New York |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/tsa-agent-sex-assaultlaguardia-airport/ |access-date=2023-10-02 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Sachs |first=Andrea |date=2023-04-12 |title=Don't mind the wet nose: TSA enlists more dogs to screen passengers |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/dont-mind-the-wet-nose-tsa-enlists-more-dogs-to-screen-passengers-for-explosives/2016/01/20/26e11d98-b983-11e5-829c-26ffb874a18d_story.html |access-date=2023-10-02 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref>

In 2021, former TSA agent Jonathan Lomeli was convicted of assault after an incident where he tricked a woman into showing her breasts under the guise of it being part of a security screening.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-01-24 |title=Former TSA agent convicted for tricking woman into showing breasts at LAX |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/former-tsa-agent-convicted-tricking-woman-showing-breasts-lax-n1255456 |access-date=2024-05-26 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref>

=== Smuggling drugs and weapons ===
In 2012, a number of people including TSA employees were arrested in Los Angeles Airport after they were found to be a part of a drug smuggling gang.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ex-tsa-chief-on-la-drug-smuggling-this-is-betrayal-this-is-treason/|title=Ex-TSA chief on L.A. Drug smuggling: "This is betrayal, this is treason"|website=[[CBS News]]|date=April 26, 2012 }}</ref>

In 2021, a TSA employee was arrested at JFK Airport after she tried to smuggle guns through a metal detector.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/ny-tsa-employee-busted-jfk-airport-queens-20210622-3vzvxshsrzfw3chvnr2ogymbiu-story.html?outputType=amp|title = TSA employee busted for trying to smuggle illegal gun through JFK Airport checkpoint|website = [[New York Daily News]]}}</ref>

=== Baggage theft ===
[[File:Tsa notice of baggage inspection.jpg|thumb|150px|Notice of Baggage Inspection]]
The TSA has been criticized for an increase in baggage theft after its inception.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.concierge.com/cntraveler/articles/5984|title=Stop Press: Case Closed?|author=William J. McGee|date=January 2005|work=[[Condé Nast Traveler]]|access-date=February 19, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110825034105/http://www.concierge.com/cntraveler/articles/5984|archive-date=August 25, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> Reported thefts include both valuable and [[dangerous goods]], such as laptops, jewelry,<ref name="exposed">{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tsa-baggage-screeners-exposed/|title=TSA Baggage Screeners Exposed|date=September 13, 2004|access-date=August 2, 2008|publisher=[[CBS Evening News]]}}</ref> guns,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/national/BO25420/|title=Guns stolen from O'Hare Airport police|date=August 16, 2006|work=[[WHDH-TV]]|access-date=February 18, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718035328/http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/national/BO25420/|archive-date=July 18, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> and knives.<ref name="pleadguilty">{{cite news|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/3-ex-TSA-workers-plead-guilty-to-theft-1183643.php|title=3 ex-TSA workers plead guilty to theft|date=September 24, 2005|access-date=August 2, 2008|newspaper=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]}}</ref> Such thefts have raised concerns that the same access might allow bombs to be placed aboard aircraft.<ref name="AirportInsecurity">{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/1095349001.html?dids=1095349001%3A1095349001&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS%3AFT&type=current&date=Aug+15%2C+2006&author=Chicago+Tribune&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=Airport+insecurity+%3B+Several+guns+have+been+stolen+from+baggage+at+O%27Hare&pqatl=google|title=Airport insecurity; Several guns have been stolen from baggage at O'Hare|date=Aug 15, 2006|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|access-date=April 11, 2011|quote=In addition, the apparent ease with which employees have opened checked baggage already screened for explosives raises concerns that a bomb could be planted ......|archive-date=May 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120504124903/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/1095349001.html?dids=1095349001%3A1095349001&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS%3AFT&type=current&date=Aug+15%2C+2006&author=Chicago+Tribune&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=Airport+insecurity+%3B+Several+guns+have+been+stolen+from+baggage+at+O%27Hare&pqatl=google|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2004, over 17,000 claims of baggage theft were reported.<ref name="exposed" /> As of 2004, 60 screeners had been arrested for baggage theft,<ref name=exposed/> a number which had grown to 200 screeners by 2008.<ref name="tipsswipe">{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/24187702|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130305111251/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/24187702|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 5, 2013|title=Tips to ensure the TSA doesn't swipe your stuff|last=Elliott|first=Christopher|date=April 21, 2008|access-date=August 2, 2008|publisher=[[NBC News]]}}</ref> 11,700 theft and damage claims were reported to the TSA in 2009, a drop from 26,500 in 2004, which was attributed to the installation of cameras and conveyor belts in airports.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2010/03/18/US-reports-big-drop-in-baggage-claims/UPI-50861268922239/#ixzz1EN4D23HM|title=U.S. reports big drop in baggage claims|date=March 18, 2010|work=[[UPI]]|access-date=February 19, 2011}}</ref> A total of 25,016 thefts were reported over the five-year period from 2010 to 2014.<ref name="hidden">{{cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2015/04/13/us/airport-luggage-theft/|title=Hidden cameras show airport workers stealing from bags - CNN.com|last=Zamost|first=Scott|date=April 13, 2015|work=[[CNN]]|access-date=April 14, 2015|author2=Drew Griffin|author3=Curt Devine}}</ref>

{{As of|2011}}, the TSA employed about 60,000 screeners in total (counting both baggage and passenger screening)<ref>{{cite news|url=http://atwonline.com/international-aviation-regulation/news/tsa-sets-framework-airport-screeners-collectively-bargain-020|title=TSA sets 'framework' for airport screeners to collectively bargain|last=Karp|first=Aaron|date=February 7, 2010|work=[[Air Transport World]]|access-date=February 19, 2011}}</ref> and approximately 500 TSA agents had been fired or suspended for stealing from passenger luggage since the agency's creation in November 2001. The airports with the most reported thefts from 2010 to 2014 were [[John F. Kennedy International Airport]], followed by [[Los Angeles International Airport]] and [[Orlando International Airport]].<ref name="hidden" />

In 2008, an investigative report by [[WTAE-TV|WTAE]] in Pittsburgh discovered that despite over 400 reports of baggage theft, about half of which the TSA reimbursed passengers for, not a single arrest had been made.<ref name="wtae">{{cite news|url=http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/4530735/detail.html|title=Team 4: Airport Baggage Theft Claims|last=Parsons|first=Jim|date=May 25, 2005|access-date=August 2, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616070943/http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/4530735/detail.html|archive-date=June 16, 2008|url-status=dead|publisher=[[WTAE-TV]]|location=Pittsburgh}}</ref> The TSA does not, as a matter of policy, share baggage theft reports with local police departments.<ref name=wtae/>

In September 2012, ABC News interviewed former TSA agent Pythias Brown, who admitted to stealing more than $800,000 worth of items during his employment with the agency. Brown stated that it was "very convenient to steal", and that poor morale within the agency led agents to steal from passengers.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/convicted-tsa-officer-reveals-secrets-thefts-airports/story?id=17339513&page=2#.UGZq3lHGjs0|title=Convicted TSA Officer Reveals Secrets of Thefts at Airports|date=September 28, 2012|work=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]}}</ref>

In September 2023, NBC Miami ran a story regarding 3 TSA employees who were arrested for grand theft after being filmed on security cameras stealing cash, and goods from handbags.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Guirola|first=Jamie |date=2023-09-12 |title=New surveillance footage shows Miami TSA officers accused of stealing from passengers |url=https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/new-surveillance-footage-shows-miami-tsa-officers-accused-of-stealing-from-passengers/3109762/ |access-date=2023-10-02 |work=[[NBC 6 South Florida]] |language=en-US |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011214829/https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/new-surveillance-footage-shows-miami-tsa-officers-accused-of-stealing-from-passengers/3109762/ |archivedate=2023-10-11}}</ref>

The TSA has also been criticized for not responding properly to theft and failing to reimburse passengers for stolen goods. For example, between 2011 and 2012, passengers at [[Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport]] reported $300,000 in property lost or damaged by the TSA. The agency only reimbursed $35,000 of those claims.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/hundreds-complaints-filed-tsa-over-lost-items-hart/nWHZ4/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130208054723/http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/hundreds-complaints-filed-tsa-over-lost-items-hart/nWHZ4/|url-status=dead|title=Hundreds of complaints filed with TSA over lost items at Hartfield|archive-date=February 8, 2013}}</ref> Similar statistics were found at Jacksonville International Airport – passengers reported $22,000 worth of goods missing or damaged over the course of 15 months. The TSA only reimbursed $800 total of this amount.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.actionnewsjax.com/mostpopular/story/Passengers-lose-thousands-at-JIA/Iy2f9vU5gUq4chBdPovfmQ.cspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130211082350/http://www.actionnewsjax.com/mostpopular/story/Passengers-lose-thousands-at-JIA/Iy2f9vU5gUq4chBdPovfmQ.cspx|url-status=dead|title=Passengers lose thousands at JIA|archive-date=February 11, 2013}}</ref>

===Data security incidents===

====Employee records lost or stolen====
In 2007, an unencrypted computer [[hard drive]] containing [[Social Security Administration|Social Security]] numbers, bank data, and payroll information for about 100,000 employees was lost or stolen from TSA headquarters. Kip Hawley alerted TSA employees to the loss, and apologized for it. The agency asked the [[FBI]] to investigate. There were no reports that the data was later misused.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/18497134 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630143931/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/18497134/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 30, 2015 |title=TSA Computer Hard Drive Missing |agency=Associated Press |author=Matt Apuzzo |date=May 4, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-07-16-tsa-missing-drive_N.htm|title=TSA: Missing hard drive left unprotected|date=July 16, 2007|work=[[USA Today]]|access-date=April 7, 2013}}</ref>

====Unsecured website====

In 2007, [[Christopher Soghoian]], a blogger and security researcher, said that a TSA website was collecting private passenger information in an unsecured manner, exposing passengers to [[identity theft]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://paranoia.dubfire.net/2007/02/tsa-has-outsourced-tsa-traveler.html |title=TSA has outsourced the TSA Traveler Identity Verification Program? |access-date=June 16, 2007 |last=Soghoian |first=Christopher |date=February 13, 2007 |work=Slight paranoia }}</ref> The website allowed passengers to dispute their inclusion on the [[No Fly List]]. The TSA fixed the website several days after the press picked up the story.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2007/02/homeland_securi.html |title=Homeland Security Website Hacked by Phishers? 15 Signs Say Yes |access-date=June 16, 2007 |last=Singel |first=Ryan |date=February 14, 2007 |work=Threat Level – Wired News |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070429123014/http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2007/02/homeland_securi.html |archive-date=April 29, 2007 }}</ref> The U.S. House [[Committee on Oversight and Government Reform]] investigated the matter,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://oversight.house.gov/Documents/20070223122534-10589.pdf |title=Letter Requesting Documents from TSA: Oversight Committee Requests Information on TSA Traveler Identity Verification Website |access-date=June 16, 2007 |last=Waxman |first=Henry |date=February 23, 2007 |work=House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070328233646/http://oversight.house.gov/Documents/20070223122534-10589.pdf <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = March 28, 2007}}</ref> and said the website had operated insecurely for more than four months, during which more than 247 people had submitted personal information.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tsa.dhs.gov/press/happenings/tsa_site.shtm |title=Background on Committee Report Regarding TSA's Redress Web Site |access-date=March 5, 2008 |date=January 11, 2008 |publisher=Transportation Security Administration |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219111732/http://www.tsa.dhs.gov/press/happenings/tsa_site.shtm |archive-date=February 19, 2008 }}</ref> The report said the TSA manager who awarded the contract for creating the website was a high-school friend and former employee of the owner of the firm that received the contract.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/01/cronyism-led-to.html |title=Vulnerable TSA Website Exposed by Threat Level Leads to Cronyism Charge |access-date=March 5, 2008 |last=Singel |first=Ryan |date=January 11, 2008 |work=Wired News}}</ref> It noted:<blockquote> Neither Desyne nor the Technical Lead on the traveler redress website have been sanctioned by TSA for their roles in the deployment of an insecure website. TSA continues to pay Desyne to host and maintain two major web-based information systems. TSA has taken no steps to discipline the Technical Lead, who still holds a senior program management position at TSA.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://oversight.house.gov/story.asp?ID=1680 |title=Chairman Waxman Releases Report on Information Security Breach at TSA's Traveler Redress Website |access-date=March 5, 2008 |date=January 11, 2008 |publisher=[[United States House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform]] |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080131042333/http://oversight.house.gov/story.asp?ID=1680 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = January 31, 2008}}</ref></blockquote>

In December 2009, someone within the TSA posted a sensitive manual titled "Screening Management [[Standard Operating Procedures|SOP]]" on secret airport screening guidelines to an obscure URL on the FedBizOpps website. The manual was taken down quickly, but the breach raised questions about whether security practices had been compromised.<ref>{{cite news
 |title       = House to hold hearings on breach of TSA screening guidelines
 |author      = Eric Zimmermann
 |url         = https://thehill.com/homenews/ap/ap-entertainment/news-executive-richard-wald-who-helped-build-abc-news-dies/ <!-- http://thehill.com//blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/71443-house-to-hold-hearings-on-tsa-breach -->
 |work        = [[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]
 |publisher   = <!-- Capitol Hill Publishing Corp. -->
 |location    = Washington, DC
 |date        = December 11, 2009
 |url-status     = live
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20101031082514/http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/71443
 |archive-date = October 31, 2010
}}</ref> Five TSA employees were placed on [[administrative leave]] over the manual's publication, which, while [[wikt:redact|redacted]], had its [[Sanitization (classified information)|redaction]] easily removed.<ref>{{cite news
| title = TSA puts 5 on leave after security manual hits Internet
| url = http://www.cnn.com/2009/TRAVEL/12/09/tsa.training.manual
| work = CNN Travel
| date = December 10, 2009
}}</ref>

===Other criticisms===

Other common criticisms of the agency have also included assertions that TSA employees have slept on the job,<ref>{{cite news |title=TSA fires screener caught sleeping in Seattle |url=http://www.cnn.com/2003/TRAVEL/01/06/airport.screener/ |date=January 6, 2003 |publisher=[[Cable News Network|CNN]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Report: Air Marshal Caught Sleeping on Flight |date=June 7, 2006 |url=http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/9335428/detail.html |publisher=TheDenverChannel.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070125180216/http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/9335428/detail.html |archive-date=January 25, 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2003/TRAVEL/03/11/sleeping.screener.ap/index.html|title=Security screener suspended for sleeping|date=March 11, 2003|work=[[CNN]]|access-date=November 27, 2010|location=Windsor Locks, Connecticut|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618075026/http://www.cnn.com/2003/TRAVEL/03/11/sleeping.screener.ap/index.html|archive-date=June 18, 2008|agency=Associated Press}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=TSA Has Fired 112 Honolulu Employees Since 2002 |url=http://www.thehawaiichannel.com/news/6692360/detail.html |date=February 2, 2006 |publisher=TheHawaiiChannel.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060511215746/http://www.thehawaiichannel.com/news/6692360/detail.html |archive-date=May 11, 2006 }}</ref> bypassed security checks,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.local6.com/news/10958681/detail.html |title=TSA Workers Skipping Orlando Airport Security Causes Concern |publisher=Local6.com |date=February 7, 2007 |access-date=November 19, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080615004859/http://www.local6.com/news/10958681/detail.html |archive-date=June 15, 2008 }}</ref> and failed to use good judgment and common sense.<ref>{{cite web|title=TSA Officers Hassle Female Passenger with Toddler at Reagan National Airport over Sippy Cup? |work=Myth Busters |publisher=Transportation Security Administration |date=June 17, 2007 |url=http://www.tsa.dhs.gov/approach/mythbusters/dca_incident.shtm |access-date=August 2, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705093104/http://www.tsa.dhs.gov/approach/mythbusters/dca_incident.shtm |archive-date=July 5, 2008 }}<!--The date at the URL is June 19, so maybe the story was updated with relevant videos and documents--></ref><ref>{{cite video |people=[[Keith Olbermann]] (host), Andrew Thomas (guest), Monica Emmerson (seen in [[Closed-circuit television|CCTV]] clip/s and photos) |title=Olbermann covers *The sippy-cup terrorist* – "Countdown w/ Keith Olbermann" |medium=Television production |publisher=[[MSNBC]] via [[YouTube]] |date=June 18, 2007 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4Fu_qvm8dw |access-date=August 2, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Teen Says TSA Screener Opened Sterile Equipment, Put Life In Danger |publisher=[[WFTV]].com |location=Orlando, [[Florida|Fla.]] |date=March 6, 2008 |url=http://www.wftv.com/irresistible/15511359/detail.html |access-date=August 2, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080929145100/http://www.wftv.com/irresistible/15511359/detail.html |archive-date=September 29, 2008 }}</ref>

TSA agents are also accused and convicted of having mistreated passengers; having sexually harassed passengers;<ref>{{cite news |last=Reed |first=Keith |title=US eases patdown policy for air travelers |work=The Boston Globe |date=December 23, 2004 |url=https://www.boston.com/business/articles/2004/12/23/us_eases_patdown_policy_for_air_travelers |access-date=August 3, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Plan to snoop on fliers takes intrusion to new heights |work=Editorial/Opinion |publisher=[[USA Today]] |date=March 11, 2003 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/2003-03-11-our-view1_x.htm |access-date=August 3, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |title=Phoenix airport to test X-ray screening |newspaper=USA Today |date=December 1, 2006 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2006-12-01-airport-screening_x.htm |access-date=August 3, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Ritchie |first=Jim |title=TSA officials being probed |work=Pittsburgh Tribune-Review |date=April 29, 2005 |url=http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_329096.html |access-date=October 8, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013074505/http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_329096.html |archive-date=October 13, 2008 }}</ref> having used invasive screening procedures, including touching the genitals, along with those of children;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20101111/us_nm/us_usa_security_patdowns_1 |title=Pilots and passengers rail at new airport patdowns |publisher=Yahoo! |access-date=November 19, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101114071050/http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20101111/us_nm/us_usa_security_patdowns_1 |archive-date=November 14, 2010 }}</ref> misusing body scanners to ogle female passengers;<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/2012/02/female-body-scans/|title=Female Passengers Say They Were Targeted for TSA Body Scanners|first=Kim|last=Zetter|magazine=Wired|date=February 14, 2012|access-date=August 23, 2020|via=www.wired.com}}</ref> having searched passengers or their belongings for items other than weapons or explosives;<ref>{{cite news
| title = Is Tougher Airport Screening Going Too Far?
| author = Scott McCartney
| url = https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204556804574261940842372518
| newspaper = Wall Street Journal
| date = July 16, 2009
}}</ref> and having stolen from passengers.<ref name="wtae"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Jamieson |first=Bob |author-link=Bob Jamieson |title=TSA Under Fire for Rising Theft by Baggage Screeners |publisher=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |date=November 19, 2004 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=266573 |access-date=August 2, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=3 ex-TSA workers plead guilty to theft |work=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]] |date=September 24, 2005 |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/3-ex-TSA-workers-plead-guilty-to-theft-1183643.php |access-date=August 2, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=TSA Baggage Screeners Exposed |work=[[CBS Evening News]] |date=September 13, 2004 |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tsa-baggage-screeners-exposed/ |access-date=August 2, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Goo |first=Sara Kehaulani |title=TSA Under Pressure To Stop Baggage Theft |pages=A01 |newspaper=Washington Post |date=June 29, 2003 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A45823-2003Jun28?language=html |access-date=August 2, 2008 }} (Registration required). Full text [http://www.msasecurityservices.com/airportnews.html#TSA_Under_Pressure_To_Stop_Baggage_Theft here.] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080809233445/http://www.msasecurityservices.com/airportnews.html#TSA_Under_Pressure_To_Stop_Baggage_Theft |date=August 9, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=TMJ4 staff |date=October 14, 2006 |title=TSA Screener Arrested |url=http://www.todaystmj4.com/_content/news/topstories/story_4773.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061104200942/http://www.todaystmj4.com/_content/news/topstories/story_4773.asp |archive-date=November 4, 2006 |work=[[WTMJ-TV]] |location=Milwaukee}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=10News Exclusive: Are TSA Employees Stealing? |work=10News |publisher=[[KGTV]] |location=San Diego, California |date=February 7, 2007 |url=http://www.10news.com/news/10958212/detail.html |access-date=August 2, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Elliott |first=Christopher |title=Tips to ensure the TSA doesn't swipe your stuff |publisher=[[NBC News]] |date=April 21, 2008 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/24187702 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130305111251/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/24187702 |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 5, 2013 |access-date=August 2, 2008}}<!--Sometimes does not open in Mozilla Firefox 2.0, so IE should be handy.--></ref>
The TSA fired 28 agents and suspended 15 others after an investigation determined they failed to scan checked baggage for explosives.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.kitv.com/Some-TSA-HNL-Employees-Escape-Firing-In-Baggage-Scandal/5341048|title=Some TSA HNL Employees Escape Firing In Baggage Scanda|last=Kerr|first=Keoki|date=September 16, 2011|publisher=KITV Honolulu|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909041416/http://www.kitv.com/Some-TSA-HNL-Employees-Escape-Firing-In-Baggage-Scandal/5341048|archive-date=September 9, 2015}}</ref>

The TSA was also accused of having spent lavishly on events unrelated to airport security,<ref>{{cite news |last=Miller |first=Leslie |title=Lavish party spurs criticism of agency |work=[[Deseret News]] |date=October 13, 2004 |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/595098094/Lavish-party-spurs-criticism-of-agency.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101031080425/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/595098094/Lavish-party-spurs-criticism-of-agency.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 31, 2010 |access-date=August 4, 2008}}</ref> having wasted money in hiring,<ref name="Traveler0307">{{cite news |last=Peterson |first=Barbara S. |title=Inside Job: My Life as an Airport Screener |work=[[Condé Nast Traveler]] |date=March 2007 |url=http://www.concierge.com/cntraveler/articles/10624?pageNumber=3 |access-date=August 4, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080620083812/http://www.concierge.com/cntraveler/articles/10624?pageNumber=3 |archive-date=June 20, 2008 }}</ref> and having had [[Conflict of interest|conflicts of interest]].<ref>Poole, Robert (April 13, 2010) [http://reason.com/archives/2010/04/13/get-the-government-out-of-airp Get the Government Out of Airport Screening: The TSA's conflicts of interest prevent better, cheaper security] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160712033126/http://reason.com/archives/2010/04/13/get-the-government-out-of-airp |date=July 12, 2016 }}, ''[[Reason Magazine|Reason]]''</ref>

The TSA was accused of having performed poorly at the [[First inauguration of Barack Obama|2009 Presidential Inauguration]] viewing areas, which left thousands of ticket holders excluded from the event in overcrowded conditions, while those who had arrived before the checkpoints were in place avoided screening altogether.<ref>{{cite web |title=TSA Helps Secure Inauguration |publisher=Transportation Security Administration |date=January 21, 2009 |url=http://www.tsa.gov/press/happenings/2009_inauguration.shtm |access-date=January 22, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090510123416/https://www.tsa.gov/press/happenings/2009_inauguration.shtm |archive-date=May 10, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=And Then We Knew It Was Too Late |newspaper=Washington Post |date=January 20, 2009 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/20/AR2009012003362.html |access-date=January 22, 2009 | first1=Pamela | last1=Constable | author-link=Pamela Constable}}</ref>

In 2013, dozens of TSA workers were fired or suspended for illegal gambling at [[Pittsburgh International Airport]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2013/09/19/dozens-of-tsa-employees-fired-suspended-for-illegal-gambling-ring-at-pittsburgh-intl-airport/|title=Dozens Of TSA Employees Fired, Suspended For Illegal Gambling Ring At Pittsburgh Int'l Airport|date=September 19, 2013}}</ref> and eight TSA workers were arrested in connection with stolen parking passes at [[Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport]].{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}

A 2013, [[GAO]] report showed a 26% increase in misconduct among TSA employees between 2010 and 2012, from 2,691 cases to 3,408.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/31/travel/tsa-misconduct/|title=Government report: TSA employee misconduct up 26% in 3 years - CNN.com|author1=Michael Pearson | author2= Ed Payne | author3=Rene Marsh|date=July 31, 2013|work=CNN}}</ref> Another GAO report said that there is no evidence that the Screening of Passengers by Observation Techniques (SPOT) behavioral detection program, with an annual budget of hundreds of millions of dollars, is effective.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/gao-says-there-is-no-evidence-that-a-tsa-program-to-spot-terrorists-is-effective/2013/11/13/fca999a0-4c93-11e3-be6b-d3d28122e6d4_story.html|title=GAO says there is no evidence that a TSA program to spot terrorists is effective|author=Ashley Halsey III|date=November 13, 2013|newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref>

A 2013 report by the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General's Office charged that TSA was using criminal investigators to do the job of lower-paid employees, wasting millions of dollars a year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/25/politics/tsa-investigators-pay/|title=Audit shows highly paid TSA investigators perform lesser tasks|author1=Mike M. Ahlers | author2=Rene Marsh|date=October 25, 2013|work=CNN}}</ref>

On December 3, 2013, the United States House of Representatives passed the [[Transportation Security Acquisition Reform Act (H.R. 2719; 113th Congress)]] in response to criticism of the TSA's acquisition process as wasteful, costly, and ineffective.<ref name=techreform1>{{cite news|last=Kasperowicz|first=Pete|title=House to push tech reform at TSA|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/technology/191721-house-to-push-tech-reform-at-tsa/|access-date=December 4, 2013|newspaper=The Hill|date=December 2, 2013}}</ref><ref name="18 July 2013">{{cite web|title=Bipartisan Legislation Introduced to Reform TSA's Acquisition Process|url=http://homeland.house.gov/press-release/bipartisan-legislation-introduced-reform-tsa-s-acquisition-process|publisher=Committee on Homeland Security of the US House of Representatives|access-date=December 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140802085801/http://homeland.house.gov/press-release/bipartisan-legislation-introduced-reform-tsa-s-acquisition-process|archive-date=August 2, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> If the bill became law, it would require the TSA to develop a comprehensive technology acquisition plan and present regular reports to Congress about its successes and failures to adhere to this plan. An April 2013 report from the [[Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General]] indicated that the TSA had 17,000 items with an estimated cost of $185.7 million stored in its warehouses on May 31, 2012.<ref name=oigreportonwarehouse>{{cite web|last=Richards|first=Anne L.|title=Transportation Security Administration Logistics Center - Inventory Management|url=http://www.oig.dhs.gov/assets/Mgmt/2013/OIG_13-82_Apr13.pdf|publisher=Office of Inspector General - Department of Homeland Security|access-date=December 4, 2013|date=April 26, 2013|archive-date=March 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210323002750/https://www.oig.dhs.gov/assets/Mgmt/2013/OIG_13-82_Apr13.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> The auditors found that "TSA stored unusable or obsolete equipment, maintained inappropriate safety stock levels, and did not develop an inventory management process that systematically deploys equipment."<ref name="oigreportonwarehouse"/>

In January 2014, [[Jason Edward Harrington]], a former TSA screener at [[O'Hare International Airport]], said that fellow staff members assigned to review body scan images of airline passengers routinely joked about fliers' weight, attractiveness, and penis and breast sizes. According to Harrington, screeners would alert each other to attractive female passengers with the code phrase "Hotel Papa" so that staff would have an opportunity to view the passengers' nude form in body scanner monitors and retaliated against rude flyers by delaying them at the checkpoint. TSA Administrator John Pistole responded by saying that all the scanners had been replaced and the screening rooms were disabled. He did not deny that the behaviors described by Harrington took place.<ref>{{cite web|title='New TSA in town,' agency says in response to screener's charges|url=http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2014/01/31/22527381-new-tsa-in-town-agency-says-in-response-to-screeners-charges?lite&lite=obinsite|publisher=NBC News|access-date=December 4, 2013}}</ref>

In May 2016, actress [[Susan Sarandon]] claimed that during the entire time of the Bush administration she was "harassed every time I came into the country". She said that she hired two lawyers to contact the TSA to determine why she had been targeted but that she assumed it was because she was critical of the Bush administration. She said the harassment stopped after her attorneys followed up a second time with the TSA.<ref>Interview on The Late, Late Show with James Corden. CBS Corporation. May 3, 2016.</ref>

In July 2018, a case heard in the [[United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit|Third Circuit Appeals Court]] ruled that TSA agents are not "investigative or law enforcement officers" and thus are not liable under the [[Federal Tort Claims Act]] (FTCA). The case extended from a woman who had been detained and arrested by TSA in 2006 but later the criminal charges were acquitted in court; she had sought damages under the FTCA for damages related to the false arrest and related matters.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-tsa-lawsuit/tsa-screeners-win-immunity-from-abuse-claims-appeals-court-idUSKBN1K125W | title = TSA screeners win immunity from abuse claims: appeals court | first = Jonathan | last = Stempel | date = July 11, 2018 | access-date = July 11, 2018 | work =[[Reuters]] }}</ref>

An [[ACLU]] study found that the TSA disproportionately targets Arabs, Muslims and Latinos, despite DHS claims to the contrary.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/feb/08/tsa-screening-racial-religious-profiling-aclu-study|title=TSA screening program risks racial profiling amid shaky science – study|first=Spencer|last=Ackerman|newspaper=The Guardian |date=February 8, 2017|via=www.theguardian.com}}</ref>

===Public opinion===
A CBS telephone poll of 1137 people published on November 15, 2010, found that 81% percent of those polled approved TSA's use of full-body scans.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20101124133835/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/11/15/politics/main7057902.shtml Poll: 4 in 5 Support Full-Body Airport Scanners] [[CBS]] News, November 15, 2010.</ref> An ABC/Washington Post poll conducted by Langer Associates and released November 22, 2010, found that 64% of Americans favored the full-body X-ray scanners, but that 50% think the "enhanced" pat-downs go too far; 37% felt so strongly. Besides, the poll states opposition is lowest among those who fly less than once a year.<ref>Nate Silver, [http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/22/new-poll-suggests-shift-in-public-views-on-t-s-a-procedures/ New Poll Suggests Shift in Public Views on T.S.A. Procedures] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160521033700/http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/22/new-poll-suggests-shift-in-public-views-on-t-s-a-procedures/ |date=May 21, 2016 }}, ''[[The New York Times]]'', November 22, 2010.</ref> A later poll by [[Zogby International]] found 61% of likely voters oppose the new measures by TSA.<ref>[http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/money_co/2010/11/new-poll-says-61-oppose-new-airport-security-measures.html Poll finds 61% oppose new airport security measures] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806213843/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/money_co/2010/11/new-poll-says-61-oppose-new-airport-security-measures.html |date=August 6, 2016 }}, ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', November 23, 2010.</ref> In 2012, a poll conducted by the Frequent Business Traveler organization found that 56% of frequent fliers were "not satisfied" with the job the TSA was doing. 57% rated the TSA as doing a "poor job," and 34% rated it "fair." Only 1% of those surveyed rated the agency's work as excellent.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/business/la-xpm-2012-sep-11-la-fi-mo-tsa-survey-20120911-story.html|title=Many frequent travelers say TSA is doing poor job|last=Martin|first=Hugo|date=September 11, 2012|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 7, 2013}}</ref> On the contrary, a 2018 Rasmussen Reports telephone poll of 1,000 Adult Americans found that 45% of respondents had an opinion of the TSA ranging from somewhat favorable to very favorable, while 39% had an unfavorable opinion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/lifestyle/general_lifestyle/august_2018/tsa_is_on_the_up_and_up_with_americans|title=TSA Is On the Up-And-Up With Americans - Rasmussen Reports®|website=www.rasmussenreports.com|access-date=November 15, 2019}}</ref>

===Investigations of the TSA===
In 2013, The Office of Inspector General published a report titled "TSA's Actions Insufficient to Address Inspector General Recommendations to Improve its Office of Inspection". The report touched upon several topics of misconduct but the main focus of the report was of the TSA criminal investigators who received a premium on their pay despite not meeting the minimum qualification to be eligible for this pay.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.oig.dhs.gov/assets/Mgmt/2013/OIG_13-123_Sep13.pdf | title=Transportation Security Administration - Office of Inspection's Efforts To Enhance Transportation Security | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125013533/https://www.oig.dhs.gov/assets/Mgmt/2013/OIG_13-123_Sep13.pdf | archive-date=January 25, 2021 | publisher=[[United States Department of Homeland Security]]}}</ref>

The TSA Office of Accountability Inspection Act of 2015 published by the Committee of Commerce, Science, and Transportation, was based on a report of an investigation that found issues with the TSA. The act also followed up the Office of Inspector General's 2013 report, mandating that the TSA should comply with Federal Regulation and correct the wage of the TSA's Criminal Investigators.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CRPT-114srpt111/pdf/CRPT-114srpt111.pdf|title=TSA Office of Accountability Act|access-date=August 23, 2020}}</ref> Had no action been taken this misuse of funds was estimated to cost taxpayers, in a span of five years, $17 million.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-114publ53/pdf/PLAW-114publ53.pdf | title=Public Law 114–53 - An Act to require the Transportation Security Administration to conform to existing Federal law and regulations regarding criminal investigator positions, and for other purposes | date=2015-09-30 | publisher=[[114th United States Congress]] | website=www.govinfo.gov}}</ref>

In response, the TSA contracted a consulting firm to assist the TSA with the Office of Inspector General recommendations. However, the Office of Inspector Generals has found the TSA's response lacking as they have yet to fix a majority of the issues brought up in the report.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.oig.dhs.gov/assets/pr/2015/oigpr_071315.pdf | title=TSA's Actions Insufficient to Address Inspector General - Recommendations to Improve its Office of Inspection  | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126104045/https://www.oig.dhs.gov/assets/pr/2015/oigpr_071315.pdf | archive-date=November 26, 2020 | date=2015-07-13 | website=www.oig.dhs.gov | publisher=[[United States Office of Inspector General]]}}</ref>

===Calls for abolition===
Numerous groups and figures have called for the abolition of the TSA in its current form by persons and groups which include Sen. [[Rand Paul]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2012/05/rand-pauls-tsa-fix-pull-the-plug-075896|title=Rand Paul's TSA fix: Pull the plug|work=POLITICO|date=May 3, 2012 }}</ref> (R-KY), Rep. [[John Mica]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20110913/10465415931/guy-who-created-tsa-says-its-failed-its-time-to-dismantle-it.shtml|title=Guy Who Created The TSA Says It's Failed, And It's Time To Dismantle It|work=Techdirt.|date=September 14, 2011}}</ref> (R-FL), The [[Cato Institute]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cato.org/publications/policy-analysis/privatizing-transportation-security-administration|title=Privatizing the Transportation Security Administration|work=Cato Institute}}</ref> [[Downsize DC Foundation]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://downsizedc.org/etp/tsa/|title=Abolish the TSA|access-date=April 20, 2015|archive-date=July 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160730232856/https://downsizedc.org/etp/tsa/|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[FreedomWorks]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.freedomworks.org/content/top-10-reasons-abolish-transportation-security-administration-tsa|title=Top 10 Reasons to Abolish the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)|date=May 11, 2012}}</ref> and opinion columnists from ''[[Forbes]],''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/artcarden/2010/11/14/full-frontal-nudity-doesnt-make-us-safer-abolish-the-tsa/|title=Full Frontal Nudity Doesn't Make Us Safer: Abolish the TSA|author=Art Carden|date=November 14, 2010|work=Forbes}}</ref> ''[[Fox News]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/congress-should-abolish-the-tsa-its-time-to-privatize-airport-screening/|title=Congress should abolish the TSA -- it's time to privatize airport screening|author=Chris Edwards|work=Fox News|date=March 9, 2015}}</ref> ''[[National Review]],''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/365365/abolish-tsa-veronique-de-rugy|title=National Review Online|author=Veronique de Rugy|website=[[National Review]]|date=December 3, 2013}}</ref> ''[[USA Today]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2013/12/02/tsa-department-homeland-security-patriot-act-column/3796127/|title=Abolish the TSA: Column|date=December 2, 2013|work=USA TODAY}}</ref> ''[[Vox (website)|Vox]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/2014/5/26/5750764/the-case-for-abolishing-the-tsa|title=The case for abolishing the TSA|author=Dylan Matthews|date=May 26, 2014|work=Vox}}</ref> ''[[The Washington Examiner]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/abolish-the-tsa/article/2543245|title=Abolish the TSA|author=Charles Hoskinson|work=Washington Examiner|date=January 31, 2014}}</ref> and ''[[The Washington Post]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2015/04/16/abolish-the-tsa/|title=Abolish the TSA|author=CJ Ciaramella|date=April 16, 2015|newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref>

The TSA's critics frequently cite the agency as "ineffective, invasive, incompetent, inexcusably costly, or all four" as their reasons for seeking its abolition.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Mann |first=Charles C. |author-link=Charles C. Mann |date=December 20, 2011 |title=Does Airport Security Really Make Us Safer? |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2011/12/tsa-insanity-201112 |journal=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |location=New York, NY |publisher=[[Condé Nast Publications]] |access-date=April 20, 2015}}</ref> Those seeking to abolish the TSA have cited the improved efficacy and cost of screening provided by qualified private companies in compliance with federal guidelines.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://archives.republicans.transportation.house.gov/Media/file/112th/Aviation/2011-06-03-TSA_SPP_Report.pdf |title=TSA Ignores More Cost-Effective Screening Model |access-date=April 20, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160907012004/http://archives.republicans.transportation.house.gov/Media/file/112th/Aviation/2011-06-03-TSA_SPP_Report.pdf |archive-date=September 7, 2016 }}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|United States}}
* [[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]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{official website|https://www.tsa.gov/}}
* [https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/transportation-security-administration Transportation Security Administration] in the [[Federal Register]]
* [http://www.treygarrison.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/tsa-screening2.pdf Screening Management Standard Operating Procedures] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513214104/http://www.treygarrison.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/tsa-screening2.pdf |date=May 13, 2021 }}

{{DHS agencies}}
{{Federal law enforcement agencies of the United States}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Transportation Security Administration| ]]
[[Category:Transportation government agencies of the United States]]
[[Category:United States Department of Homeland Security agencies]]
[[Category:Government agencies established in 2001]]
[[Category:2001 establishments in the United States]]
[[Category:Aftermath of the September 11 attacks]]
[[Category:Transport safety organizations]]