The Transportation Security Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, was created in the aftermath of 9/11 to oversee security for all transportation systems. This presentation, updated October 2015, provides information on the background, mission, and operations of TSA. For more information, visit www.tsa.gov.

1. TSA 101

2. TSA Background
• TSA was created in the aftermath of 9/11 to
oversee security for all transportation systems.
• Federalization of security operations was
completed by the end of 2002.
• TSA became part of the Department of Homeland
Security in March 2003, making up a quarter of
the DHS workforce.
• TSA’s scope includes commercial and general
aviation; mass transit systems; freight and
passenger rail; highways, pipelines and ports.
Transportation Security Officers interact with nearly two million travelers every day across
the United States with a single goal in mind – ensuring the security of the traveling public.
In 2014, TSA screened 653,487,270 passengers (14,781,480 more passengers than
2013).

3. TSA Mission and Transportation Systems
Mission
Protect the nation's transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people
and commerce.
Transportation Systems
• Commercial Aviation
• General Aviation
• Mass Transit Systems
• Freight Rail
• Passenger Rail
• Highways
• Pipelines
• Ports

4. TSA by the Numbers
• Responsible for securing nearly 440 federalized airports.
• During high volume periods, transportation security officers can screen approximately
300 passengers per hour.
• Employs over 62,000 people
• Over 45,000 transportation security officers.
• More than 20% of the total workforce are veterans and active reservists.
• Approximate screenings per day:
• Nearly 2 million passengers.
• 1.1 million checked bags.
• 3 million carry-on bags.

5. TSA by the Numbers (cont.)
Other Transportation Modes:
• More than 350 maritime ports.
• Nearly 4 million miles of roadways.
• More than 140,000 miles of railroad track.
• 25,000 miles of commercial navigable
waterways.
• Approximately 2.6 million miles of pipeline.

6. TSA Strategic Approach
• Intel-driven, risk-based approach.
• Multi-faceted security systems.
• Random and unpredictable security
measures.
• Flexible, highly trained workforce.
• Cutting-edge technology.
• Engages stakeholders and the traveling
public in the security process.
TSA’s 24/7/365 Operations Center

7. Airport Security: Now and Then
Now, TSA works with airports and local law enforcement to
secure the entire airport environment.
Before 9/11, airport
security was checkpoint
oriented.

8. TSA Checkpoint Operations

9. Screening Technologies
Advanced Technology X-ray
• Multiple projection X-rays screen carry-
on bags and any other carry-on items
for possible threat.
• Automated detection algorithms.
Bottled Liquids Scanners
• Differentiates liquid
explosives from common,
benign liquids.
• Available in handheld and
desktop configurations.
• Primarily used to screen
medically necessary liquids.
Explosives Trace Detection System
• Screens checked baggage to determine if
the baggage contains a potential threat
item.
• Samples gathered by swabbing
passenger’s hands, carry-on bags,
checked baggage, and/or cargo
environments.
• Detects a wide range of explosives.
Explosives Detection System
• Through a sophisticated analysis of each
checked bag, the machines can quickly
capture an image of a single bag and
determine if a bag contains a potential
threat item.

10. In-line Baggage System
1.1 millionbags screened daily
Approximately 443 millionbags
screened in 2014

11. Millimeter Wave AIT
Advanced Imaging Technology
Advanced Imaging Technology screens passengers for both metallic and
nonmetallic prohibited items to keep the traveling public safe.

12. Prohibited Items
TSA officers continue their vigilance in protecting our nation’s transportation
systems, including intercepting concealed prohibited items.
Since January 2015, 1,624 firearms were
discovered in carry-on bags at checkpoints
across the country.
In the same period, more than 1,350
firearm components, replica firearms, stun
guns, and other similarly dangerous
objects were discovered by TSA in carry-
on baggage.

13. Other Concealed Prohibited Items

14. Current Initiatives of Risk-Based Security
In 2014, over 40 percent of passengers screened received
some form of expedited screening.
Current Initiatives of Risk-Based Security include:
• TSA Pre✓®
• Passengers 12 and Younger
• Passengers 75 and Older
• Active Duty Military
• Department of Defense and U.S. Coast Guard civilian employees
• Honor Flights
• Known Crewmember

15. About TSA Pre✓®
TSA Pre✓® is part of the agency’s efforts to
improve the passenger experience at security
checkpoints by applying new intelligence-
driven, risk-based screening procedures and
enhancing its use of technology.
Through risk-based initiatives such as TSA
Pre✓®, TSA provides effective security
while gaining efficiencies and improving the
travel experience for millions of passengers
each week.

16. About TSA Pre✓®
• Less than 0.32 percent of passengers
nationwide waited in a line longer than 20
minutes.
• TSA Pre✓® has more than 600 lanes at more
than 150 domestic airports.
• The TSA Pre✓® application program, which
began in December 2013, has enrolled over a
million travelers.

17. TSA Pre✓® Eligibility
• U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents enrolled in TSA Pre✓®.
• Members of Global Entry.
• U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents who are members of SENTRI.
• U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents and Canadian citizens who are
• Members of NEXUS.
• Members of the U.S. Armed Forces including those serving in the National Guard and
reserves as well as government employees of certain agencies.
• Cadets and midshipmen of the U.S. Military Academy, Naval Academy, Coast Guard
Academy and Air Force Academy.

18. TSA Pre✓® Participating Airlines
The following airlines participate in TSA Pre✓®
• Air Canada
• Alaska Airlines
• American Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• Hawaiian Airlines
• JetBlue Airways
• OneJet
• WestJet
• Southwest Airlines
• Sun Country Airlines
• United Airlines
• Virgin America
There are over 330 TSA Pre✓® application centers nationwide.
To find the location nearest you, visit tsa.gov/tsa-­precheck.

19. Secure Flight Program
The Secure Flight Program prevents individuals on the no-fly list from boarding an
aircraft and to identify individuals on the selectee list for enhanced screening.
After matching passenger information against government watch lists, Secure
Flight transmits the matching results back to airlines so they can issue passenger
boarding passes.
Secure Flight enables TSA to:
• Support TSA’s risk-based security mission
• Prevent individuals on the No-Fly List from
boarding an aircraft
• Identify individuals on the Selectee List
• Minimize misidentification of individuals
• Protect passengers’ personal information

20. TSA’s International Efforts
TSA promotes effective transportation security work around the clock and around the
world to counter new and emerging threats to the aviation sector.
TSA’s efforts include:
• Inspect air carrier operations to the U.S.
• Assess security of airports overseas.
• Advise foreign governments on transportation security.
• Train overseas security personnel.
• Ensure implementation of international security standards.
• Review threat mitigation strategies for foreign airports.
• Assist foreign governments to achieve sustainable security
capacity.
• Work with non-U.S. air carriers to achieve regulatory compliance.
• Ensure foreign airport compliance with TSA security requirements.

21. Vetting and Credentialing
TSA plays a key role in vetting individuals who
require access to critical infrastructure points,
including:
• Airline pilots and flight crews
• Airport and airline employees
• HAZMAT truck drivers
• Port workers
TSA facilitates travel or credentialing for approximately
800 million individuals per year. TSA vets approximately
20 million individuals daily, across 28 distinct populations.

22. Transportation Worker Identification Credential
• Ensures individuals who pose a threat to the
nation’s maritime transportation system, do not
gain unescorted access to secure areas.
• Eligibility is based on a comprehensive security
threat assessment (criminal history, terrorist
watch lists and immigration databases).
TWIC is the world’s most advanced interoperable biometric card.

23. VIPR Operations
• Promote confidence in and protect
our nation’s transportation systems.
• Employ targeted deployment of
integrated TSA assets.
• Utilize TSA’s screening, inspections,
and FAMS/law enforcement
capabilities.
• Coordinate activities with local law
enforcement to augment security of
any mode of transportation.
Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response (VIPR) Teams:

24. Office of Law Enforcement/
Federal Air Marshal Service
Thousands of federal air marshals are deployed every
day on domestic and international flights.
The federal air marshal service is responsible for:
• Managing federal VIPR support
• The federal flight deck officer program
• The crew member self defense program

25. Canine Teams
• Respond daily to numerous calls for service
ranging from unattended bags/luggage/vehicles,
to screening cargo being carried on passenger
aircraft, to VIPR missions, to routine public
visibility patrols.
• An integral part of the passenger screening
process with Managed Inclusion.
There are more than 990 canine teams deployed at more than 125 aviation, mass
transit and maritime transportation locations throughout the United States. 322 are
TSA-­led with over half trained to conduct passenger screening operations.

26. Compliance Oversight & Inspection
• Inspectors perform an average of 12,000 inspections,
assessments and industry outreaches each month.
• They also recommend civil penalties when TSA rules are
violated.
More than 1,800 Transportation Security Inspectors oversee more than 40,000
transportation operators in aviation, surface and cargo modes.

27. Transportation Security Specialist-Explosives
• Provide training in explosives, IEDs, smuggling and
terrorist incidents to the screening workforce.
• Provide advanced alarm resolution assistance at
security checkpoints and checked baggage screening
locations.
• Primary liaison to emergency responders to ensure a
safe resolution of all critical incidents.

28. Work with Other DHS Components
• The Transportation Worker Identification
Credential (TWIC) is a joint TSA/U.S.
Coast Guard program that provides
background checks and biometric IDs to
maritime workers.
• TSA works with FEMA to provide grant
funding for surface modes based on risk,
threat and consequence.
• TSA and CBP collaborate to protect the
aviation system.
• TSA supports the Secret Service by
screening attendees at special events.

29. Customer Support Initiatives
TSA Contact Center
• Email: TSA-ContactCenter@tsa.dhs.gov
• Phone: 1-866-289-9673
TSA Cares
• Assistance for travelers with disabilities and/or medical
conditions.
• Phone: 1-855-787-2227
Military Support
• Injured service members/veterans and Wounded
Warriors (or their Care Coordinators) may contact TSA
Cares with details of the itinerary once flight
arrangements are made with the airline. TSA Cares will
coordinate needed assistance with the local TSA airport
personnel.
Passenger Support Specialists
• Onsite assistance to identify and resolve traveler-related
screening concerns at security checkpoints.

30. Public Outreach and Social Media
TSA has multiple ways to assist and inform
passengers.
Web: tsa.gov
Blog: blog.tsa.gov
App: MY TSA - iPhone, Android and mobile web
application (available on iTunes, Google Play and
tsa.gov/mobile)
TSA Cares Helpline: 1-855-787-2227
Passenger Support Specialists: at the airport
TSA Contact Center: TSA-ContactCenter@dhs.gov
Twitter: @TSA and @AskTSA
Instagram: Instagram.com/TSA