News / Society

US airport screening equipment improperly managed: Report

Tuesday, 12 May 2015 9:54 AM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 12 May 2015 10:07 AM ]

TSA’s improper management of US airport screening equipment risks the safety of millions of airline passengers, a new report shows.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is not properly maintaining airport screening equipment, potentially risking the safety of millions of airline passengers, said a government watchdog.

The TSA, which deals with airport screening and safety regulations in hundreds of airports across all the 50 states in the US, has not issued adequate rules and procedures to airports, according to a report by the Homeland Security.

“Because TSA does not adequately oversee equipment maintenance, it cannot be assured that routine preventative maintenance is performed or that equipment is repaired and ready for operational use. Without diligent oversight … TSA risks shortening equipment life and incurring costs to replace equipment,” stated the report on Monday.

“Consequently, the safety of airline passengers and aircraft could be jeopardized,” the Homeland Security’s report added.

"As the agency charged with protecting nearly 1.8 million passengers who travel through US airports every day, we take seriously the responsibility to ensure the operational use of screening equipment," the report read.

The government watchdog is now demanding that the TSA implement precautionary repairs process to ensure that such improper handling of equipment does not happen again.

In response to the statement, the TSA said it "recognizes the importance of identifying new methods for improving oversight of equipment contracts and maintenance," pledging to start working on the necessary changes and implement them by the end of 2015.

Kevin McCarthy, TSA security director at Midway Airport, said “on average, six firearms are found every single day at checkpoints across the country.”

Equipment failures usually lead to longer wait times and delays for passengers at the nation’s 450 airports.

TSA criticized for making heavy airport traffic leading to many people missing their flights.

The TSA, which was created after the 9/11 attacks, is an agency of the US Department of Homeland Security that exercises authority over the security of the traveling public in the US.

The agency has been widely accused of mistreating passengers and sexually harassing them. Its employees have also been accused of numerous failures and misconduct on the job.

In December 2014, dozens of people missed their flights because lines at some airports reportedly stretched all the way out of the terminals, and in one case in Chicago, to the city's train stop and back in again.

HDS/AT

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk