Testimony

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August 7, 2002

Progress in Implementing Provisions of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act

Project ID: 
CC2002203
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Alexis M. Stefani, Assistant Inspector General for Auditing, testified during a hearing of the House Committee on Government Reform in Atlanta, GA, regarding TSA’s progress in implementing the Aviation and Transportation Security Act. Key points of her testimony were:


  • TSA estimates it needs up to 33,000 screeners and screener supervisors to meet the November 19 deadline for a federalized work force.

  • As of July 31, TSA had only about 4,000 passenger screeners on board, with another 6,800 who had accepted employment offers.

  • The next 30 days will be crucial in determining if TSA will meet the November 19 deadline. TSA needs to hire and train more than 8,000 passenger screeners a month to meet the goal; this does not include the estimated 21,600 checked baggage screeners who will be needed.

  • TSA is having the most difficulty hiring screeners in large metropolitan areas such as New York, Boston, and Chicago.

  • The number of explosives detection system devices needed to meet the December 31 goal of screening 100 percent of checked baggage is at least 3 times the amount of equipment deployed worldwide.