Transportation Security Administration Example

Transportation Security Administration Example Transportation Security Administration â€" Essay Example > The New TSA Security MeasuresOn 19th November, 2001, one month after the September 11 terrorist attacks, the United States Government established the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which is now under the Department for homeland security. The agency was founded as a response to the attacks and has been operating in various security facilities, mainly airports, with an aim to prevent terrorist activities and enhance the security of civilians during flights. In the ten years since its inception, this agency has adopted several security procedures some of which had received widespread criticism. Even after the much publicized outcry in protest of its routines, the agency continues to act either as the sole security organ, or as the major security overseer responsible for civilian security in most airports in the states (Goins, 2010). This paper will focus on the various security procedures employed by TSA and discuss their ineffectiveness. TSA monitors all the different transport channels including air transport, land or surface transport as well as water transport. The department of homeland security has mandated TSA with the responsibility of ensuring safety and security in transportation, whereby TSA may work closely with other organs â€" both private and public, in executing its mandate. The organizational structure of the TSAThe agency employs various types of workers, mainly: -Transportation Security officers- their main duty is to carry out security checks on travelers in the airports, travel stations and landing ports through screening (Layton, 2007.Security inspectors- they inspect cargo and report on general transport safety. An explosives and canine detection team-they have a dedicated team of dogs and dog handlers specially trained to locate dangerous materials. Federal Air Marshalls- these officers locate possible terrorist elements from within the travelers through mixing with them. Security procedures employed by the TSAThe major up grades on TSA proceduresRisk-based approaches for Aviation securityTSA has been overseeing Public Aviation safety for more than a decade. Initially, it relied on the Processes listed below including pat-down, cargo screening and behavior observation officers to enhance security (Cohen, 2011). Recently, TSA introduced new procedures aimed at security enhancement. Some of the major changes include the following: TSA Pre TM This is a security initiative that allows travelers to volunteer information about themselves in order to expedite screening at check-points in various airports. The service is available to U. S citizens provided they are members of the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Traveler organization as well as frequent air travelers of other selected airlines in the country. The trusted traveler programs include Global Entry, Nexus and Sentri. Already implemented is a new TSA policy on screen procedures for children under 12 years old. The traditionally conducte d shoe scan security check for travelers has been eliminated for children under 12 years. TSA also has developed expedited screening procedures for airline plots as well as revised screening procedures for senior citizens 75 years old and above, as well as active members of the U. S military. The organization may, however, still conduct random security measures within the airport from which no one is expedited. So these risk based approaches point towards a more flexible security system in which certain levels of trust are allowed between the TSA and travelers where strict security procedures for certain categories of travelers are conducted only when needed.