TSA Screening Failures Lead To Passenger Concern
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Despite failures at a number of airports tested for security screenings, the Department of Homeland Security say they continue to have confidence in the Transportation Security Administration workforce.
During a series of tests, federal investigators disguised as passengers were able to sneak 'dangerous' items, such as guns and fake explosives, past airport screeners 67 times in 70 attempts. Because the report is classified, it is not know if Miami International Airport or Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport were tested.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson has re-assigned TSA Director Melvin Carraway who worked for the department for 11 years. President Barack Obama has nominated U.S. Coast Guard Admiral Pete Neffenger to be the next TSA administrator. The Senate must confirm the president's choice.
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Homeland Security also ordered immediate changes to the system including more training for agents; evaluating and testing of screening equipment; and continued, controlled undercover attempts to smuggle dangerous items through checkpoints.
"They base their actions based on our actions, consistently seeking vulnerabilities, and we've got to do what we can to stay ahead," said former White House counterterrorism official Frank Cilluffo.
After learning of the security screening failures, some passengers said they had new concerns about boarding an airplane.
"I think the security needs to be re-evaluated because it's not hard to get anything through if you're trying to," said Constance Hayes.
The classified findings of the report point to a need for better technology and increased training for the nation's 50,000 TSA agents. The official report on airport screenings is expected later this summer.
