Outgoing TSA administrator has advice for his successor

The outgoing administrator of the Transportation Security Administration has some advice for his successor: Let trusted passengers carry their bottled water through the gate check.

John Pistole said he wants to see a loosening of some restrictions for liquids and gels on flights for passengers who are part of the Precheck program, trusted fliers who have gone through background checks.

Pistole told the USA TODAY editorial board Wednesday that a change to the policy banning all liquids and gels over 3.4 ounces is not imminent and won't happen before he leaves his position on Dec. 31.

He said he would encourage the next administrator to pursue the policy discussions needed to make the change. The TSA administrator has the authority to change the policy but does so in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security and the White House.

Pistole said the TSA has worked to tighten screenings of people and cargo entering the USA.

"The greatest risks come from overseas," he said. Pistole said more than 275 foreign airports send people and cargo through the USA every day. "The threats are real and the stakes are high," he said.

Liquid and non-metal explosives are among the highest threats to airline passengers, he said. Current technology cannot readily detect packages carrying such devices, so he says communication and intelligence from other agencies is crucial.

Pistole pointed to an incident in which a senior government official called to give him tracking numbers for a printer being shipped by FedEx through the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates that the intelligence community learned had an explosive device in the toner. The explosive was found in the printer, but he said such devices are difficult to find without advance intelligence.

"And that bomb maker is still out there," he said.

He said that during his tenure, the TSA has focused more on identifying higher-risk and unknown passengers, such as those who travel frequently through countries such as Yemen or Syria.

Pistole said the TSA is expediting screening for passengers who present little or no risk, including those who belong to the Precheck program, seniors, children and members of the Armed Forces. He said about 5 million passengers weekly have expedited screenings that include no longer having to remove shoes, belts or jackets.