Airport Security: TSA Agents Too Concerned With Efficiency Instead of Security, Administrator Says
Internal investigation failed after 67 of 70 undercover agents beat the security system, including instances involving potential weapons and fake explosive devices.
The TSA will run more internal tests to identify other security issues.
SIOUX FALLS, N.D. — Passing through airport security can be a long and, at times, frustrating task. However, the general public abides by the process in favor of safety.
But is the process as safe as once thought?
TSA Administrator Peter Neffenger explained TSA agents are too concerned with moving people efficiently through security as opposed to taking time to diligently check items and people passing through for potential weapons or other dangerous equipment.
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A failed internal investigation earlier this year found that TSA agents failed to discover potential weapons and fake explosive devices on many occasions, according to the Argus Leader. Homeland Security employees went undercover through security to try and beat the system and managed to do so 67 out of 70 times.
“The pressure to move more people through the line efficiently became more of a focus than it should have been,” Neffenger said.
Neffenger took over the job following the investigation, and said the TSA will run more internal tests to identify other issues before others can.
“I want the good guys to break the system, not the bad guys,” Neffenger said. “And I want the good guys to learn how to fix it.”
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