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Transportation Security Administration

Departing TSA chief leaves behind better training, tech

Bart Jansen
USA TODAY

The departing head of the Transportation Security Administration counted the creation of a training academy for workers, the shortening of hours-long checkpoint lines for last summer's travel season and the addition of technology at checkpoints among his accomplishments during his year-and-a-half tenure.

Jeh Johnson, left, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, speaks Sept. 7, 2016, with Transportation Security Administration Administrator Peter Neffenger about checkpoint lines at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

But TSA Administrator Peter Neffenger, who arrived at Brussels airport last March on the day of a fatal bombing that he called a "visceral experience," said Thursday that developing better security for public areas of airports is perhaps the biggest challenge facing governments and the industry.

"It's a really important mission," Neffenger told USA TODAY. “I really like missions that matter. I think a big surprise is how much I enjoyed the job."

Neffenger, who led the agency best known for airport security screening since July 2015, leaves Friday as President Obama’s administration ends.

President-elect Donald Trump has chosen a secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, retired Marine Corps general John Kelly, but not yet a new TSA chief.

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TSA, an agency with 60,000 workers, can be a controversial assignment because of high-profile complaints about long checkpoint lines or how officers treat travelers in line. Neffenger arrived after a leaked inspector general’s report revealed that TSA officers missed 67 of 70 mock explosives and weapons in bags during testing.

“It really knocked down public confidence in our ability to do the job," Neffenger said. “That gives you a chance to take a hard look at how you do your job."

After taking office, he ordered refresher training for all TSA workers after the critical report. He created the TSA Academy, which opened in January 2015 in Glynco, Ga., to train all workers.

Neffenger had spent 34 years in the Coast Guard where he was deputy national incident commander for the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. He departs to widespread praise from the travel industry.

“The hallmark of his tenure has been a vision to increase security while optimizing the travel experience, a strong level of collaboration and an unprecedented attitude of positive problem-solving with stakeholders,” said Nicholas Calio, CEO of Airlines for America, a trade group that represents most of the largest carriers.

A serious test for Neffenger came a year ago when checkpoint lines delayed passengers for hours at the largest airports from a confluence of more travelers, a reduction of 5,800 TSA officers since 2011 and tighter security after the inspector general’s report.

“We couldn’t meet peak demands at the top 30 airports," Neffenger said.

American Airlines said 70,000 passengers missed flights during the first five months of last year. Airport officials in New York and Atlanta threatened to hire private screeners.

TSA boasts of shortened airport lines for summer

The response that Calio praised included TSA asking Congress to shift $62 million to hire 1,368 more officers and move 1,865 part-timers to full-time positions. Airlines and airports contributed 600 workers for non-security duties at checkpoints such as replacing bins.

“Thankfully, his quick actions to address the problem averted what could have been a major economic and security catastrophe,” said Roger Dow, CEO of U.S. Travel Association. “Mr. Neffenger's advocacy for redirected resources, as well as his willingness to collaborate across agencies and with the private sector on smart solutions to congestion at TSA checkpoints, swiftly cut down wait times and instituted enduring improvements to the security process.”

By Labor Day, about 98% of fliers waited 30 minutes or less for screening, and 92% waited less than 15 minutes. The seven busiest airports clocked wait times averaging less than 10 minutes.

"While at the helm of the TSA, Administrator Neffenger ushered in a new era of efficiency and collaboration that has strengthened aviation security," said Kevin Burke, CEO of Airports Council International-North America, which represents 95% of U.S. and Canadian airports.

TSA finds record 3,391 guns at checkpoints in 2016

Despite the shorter lines, TSA officers caught a record 3,391 guns at checkpoints, 83% of which were loaded. TSA screened 738 million travelers last year, or more than 2 million per day.

One way Neffenger helped shorten checkpoint lines was by encouraging the installation of automated lanes that were already in use in London and Amsterdam. With 60 automated lines nationwide, which airlines and airports have bought and then given to TSA, the equipment allows five travelers to place carry-on bags in bins at the same time, so faster people can move around slower ones. The bins are shuttled through screening machines automatically, like a cafeteria conveyor.

Since Delta Air Lines installed the first two lanes in Atlanta in May, there are now 26 automated lanes at airports in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles and Newark. Another 20 to 30 lanes are expected by March, and then TSA will evaluate how they are working before further expansion.

The lanes are a result from an innovation task force of TSA working with airlines and airports to develop new technology. Some of the ideas that the group is studying include rapidly checking fingerprints or iris scans for identification or less-intrusive scanning equipment for people and bags.

“We want to move at the speed of threat, not at the speed of obsolescence," Neffenger said. “I’m a big believer in entrepreneurial government."

Fatal bombings last year at Brussels airport in March and at Istanbul airport in June served as a reminder of the vulnerability of huge crowds in open areas. The challenge at airports is thorny because moving TSA checkpoints to airport doors would push crowds outdoors, where they might be easier targets. But local governments are often unable to provide enough police to patrol entire airports.

“We’ve got to think differently about public areas," Neffenger said. "You can’t just say you’re on your own. There is a very real concern."

TSA has held two meetings called security summits since November and plans more with law enforcement officials, airlines, airports and unions to discuss how to better protect public areas.

“Sadly there’s no silver-bullet answer for public areas,” Neffenger said. “But I will say that is going to be one of the biggest challenges for the foreseeable future: How do you protect big, open places where people gather?”

TSA: Up to 60 automated checkpoint lanes to be installed this year

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