Editing Transportation Security Administration (section)

=== Employees ===
[[File:TSA Officer Carrying Prohibited Items.png|thumb|TSA officer carrying a bin of prohibited items that passengers have surrendered]]
Among the types of TSA employees are:<ref name="dhs.gov">{{cite web |url=https://www.dhs.gov/xoig/assets/mgmtrpts/OIG_08-66_Jun08.pdf |title=TSA's Administration Coordination of Mass Transit Security Programs |access-date=November 19, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528125853/https://www.dhs.gov/xoig/assets/mgmtrpts/OIG_08-66_Jun08.pdf |archive-date=May 28, 2010}}</ref>
{{Unordered list|Transportation Security Officers: The TSA employs around 47,000 Transportation Security Officers (TSOs). They screen people and property and control entry and exit points in airports. They also watch several areas before and beyond checkpoints.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08456t.pdf |title=GAO-08-456T Aviation Security: Transportation Security Administration Has Strengthened Planning to Guide Investments in Key Aviation Security Programs, but More Work Remains |access-date=November 19, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=119467004054325800 |title=TSA needs screeners at PDX |publisher=Portlandtribune.com |access-date=November 19, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081225072334/http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=119467004054325800 |archive-date=December 25, 2008}}</ref> TSOs do not carry weapons, do not have [[arrest]] powers, and are generally not permitted to use force.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/09/politics/tsa-badges/ |title=Bill would strip TSA officers of badges in reaction to alleged strip searches |last=Ahlers |first=Mike M. |date=December 9, 2011 |work=[[CNN]] |access-date=April 6, 2013}}</ref>

[[File:TSA Officer Badge.png|thumb|upright|Badge of a Transportation Security Officer]]
Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) provide security and protection for air travelers, airports, and aircraft. This includes:
* Operating various screening equipment and technology to identify dangerous objects in baggage, cargo, and passengers, and preventing those objects from being transported onto aircraft.
* Performing searches and screening, which may include physical interaction with passengers (e.g., pat-downs, a search of property, etc.).
* Controlling terminal entry and exit points.
* Interacting with the public, giving directions, and responding to inquiries.
* Maintaining focus and awareness while working in a stressful environment which includes noise from alarms, machinery and people, crowd distractions, time pressure, and disruptive and angry passengers, to preserve the professional ability to identify and locate potentially life-threatening or mass destruction devices, and to make effective decisions in both crisis and routine situations.
* Engaging in the continuous development of critical thinking skills, necessary to mitigate actual and potential security threats, by identifying, evaluating, and applying appropriate situational options and approaches. This may include the application of risk-based security screening protocols that vary based on program requirements.
* Retaining and implementing knowledge of all applicable Standard Operating Procedures, demonstrating responsible and dependable behavior, and is open to change and adapts to new information or unexpected obstacles.<ref name="usajobs.gov">{{Cite web|url=https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/454238900/|title=Transportation Security Officer (TSO)|website=USAJOBS|access-date=November 15, 2016|archive-date=November 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115132721/https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/454238900/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The key requirements for employment are:<ref name="usajobs.gov"/>
* Be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National at time of application submission
* Be at least 18 years of age at time of application submission
* Pass a Drug Screening and Medical Evaluation
* Pass a background investigation including a credit and criminal check
* No default on $7,500 or more in delinquent debt (but for some bankruptcies)
* Selective Service registration required
{{as of|2019|9}} the salary range for a TSO is at least $28,668 to $40,954<ref>{{cite web |url=https://hraccess.tsa.dhs.gov/hraccess/pdf/pay_bands.pdf |title=TSA Core Compensation Plan Pay Chart for 2019 |access-date=July 7, 2019 |archive-date=July 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190706021043/https://hraccess.tsa.dhs.gov/hraccess/pdf/pay_bands.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref> per year, not including locality pay (contiguous 48 states) or [[cost of living allowance]] in Hawaii and Alaska. A handful of airports also have a retention bonus of up to 35%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/a9tsa.asp |title=USAJOBS – Search Jobs |publisher=Jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov |access-date=November 19, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110424023350/http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/a9tsa.asp |archive-date=April 24, 2011}}</ref>

[[File:TSA Passenger Screening Canine.png|thumb|right|TSA passenger screening canine sniffing a passenger]]
| Behavior Detection Officers: In 2003, the TSA implemented the [[Screening of Passengers by Observation Technique]] (SPOT), which expanded across the United States in 2007. In this program, Behavior Detection Officers (BDOs), who are TSOs, observe passengers as they go through [[security checkpoint]]s, looking for behaviors that might indicate a higher risk. Such passengers are subject to additional screening.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theintercept.com/2015/03/27/revealed-tsas-closely-held-behavior-checklist-spot-terrorists/|title=Exclusive: TSA's Secret Behavior Checklist to Spot Terrorists|work=The Intercept|date=March 27, 2015}}</ref>

This program has led to concerns about, and allegations of [[Airport racial profiling in the United States|racial profiling]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/12/us/racial-profiling-at-boston-airport-officials-say.html?pagewanted=all|title=Racial Profiling Rife at Airport, U.S. Officers Say|last=Schmidt|first=Michael S.|author2=Eric Lichtblau |date=August 12, 2012|work=The New York Times|page=1|access-date=April 6, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/report-newark-tsa-screeners-targeted-mexicans/|title=Report: Newark TSA screeners targeted Mexicans|date=June 12, 2011|work=[[CBS News]]|access-date=April 6, 2013}}</ref> According to the TSA, SPOT screening officers are trained to observe behaviors only and not a person's appearance, race, ethnicity or religion.<ref name="ZureikLyon2010">{{cite book|last1=Zureik|first1=Elia|last2=Lyon|first2=David|last3=Abu-Laban|first3=Yasmeen|title=Surveillance and Control in Israel/Palestine: Population, Territory and Power|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rBIKE-BOYC4C&pg=PA379|access-date=April 6, 2013|date=December 13, 2010|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=9780203845967|pages=379–}}</ref>

The TSA program was reviewed in 2013 by the federal government's [[Government Accountability Office]], which recommended cutting funds for it because there was no proof of its effectiveness.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/25/science/in-airport-screening-body-language-is-faulted-as-behavior-sleuth.html | work=The New York Times | first=John | last=Tierney | title=At Airports, a Misplaced Faith in Body Language | date=March 23, 2014}}</ref> The [[JASON (advisory group)|JASON]] scientific advisory group has also said that "no scientific evidence exists to support the detection or inference of future behavior, including intent."<ref>{{cite journal |last=Weinberger |first=Sharon |date=May 27, 2010 |title=Intent to Deceive? |url=http://www.nature.com/news/2010/100526/pdf/465412a.pdf |journal=Nature |volume=465 |issue=7297 |pages=412–415 |doi=10.1038/465412a|access-date=March 18, 2015 |pmid=20505706|s2cid=4350875 |doi-access=free}}</ref>
| Transportation Security Specialist – Explosives,<ref name = TSSE>{{cite web |url=https://www.vaforvets.va.gov/vaforvets/docs/events/TSS-Explosive-ELP-18-484781_7_30_2018.pdf |title=Transportation Security Specialist-Explosives |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=July 26, 2018 |website=VA.gov |publisher=Transportation Security Administration |access-date=September 23, 2018}}</ref> formerly known Bomb Appraisal Officers<ref name=BAO /> are explosive specialists employed by TSA. These specialists are required to either be former military Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technicians who attended Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal or an FBI certified Public Safety Hazardous Devices Technician who attended the [[FBI Hazardous Devices School]]. Furthermore, they are required to possess at least 3 years of experience working in an EOD or bomb disposal unit. The TSS-Es provide workforce training to TSA employees, conduct an Advanced Alarm Resolution process when conventional alarm resolution has failed and serve as a liaison between TSA, law enforcement and bomb squads.<ref name=BAO>{{cite web |url=https://www.tsa.gov/blog/2009/07/14/what-heck-does-person-do-tsa-bomb-appraisal-officer-bao |title=What In the Heck Does That Person Do: TSA Bomb Appraisal Officer (BAO) |last=Burns |first=Bob |date=July 14, 2009 |website=TSA.gov |publisher=Transportation Security Administration |access-date=September 23, 2018 |archive-date=September 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923235859/https://www.tsa.gov/blog/2009/07/14/what-heck-does-person-do-tsa-bomb-appraisal-officer-bao |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| Federal Air Marshals: The [[Federal Air Marshal Service]] is the law enforcement arm of the TSA. FAMs are federal [[law enforcement officers]] who work [[undercover]] to protect the air travel system from hostile acts. As a part of the Federal Air Marshal Service, FAMs do carry weapons.<ref name=grinberg>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/TRAVEL/12/30/federal.air.marshals/|title=Federal air marshals back in spotlight after attempted plane bombing|last=Grinberg|first=Emanuella|date=December 30, 2009|work=[[CNN]]|access-date=April 6, 2013}}</ref>

The FAM role, then called "sky marshalls", originated in 1961 with U.S. Customs Service (now [[U.S. Customs and Border Protection]]) following the first US hijacking.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.propublica.org/article/history-of-the-federal-air-marshal-service|title=History of the Federal Air Marshal Service|last=Grabell|first=Michael|date=November 13, 2008|work=Pro Publica|access-date=April 6, 2013}}</ref> It became part of the TSA following the creation of the TSA following the September 11 attacks,<ref name=grinberg/> was transferred to the [[U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement]] in 2003, and back to the TSA in [[fiscal year|fiscal]] 2006.{{Citation needed|date=April 2013}}

In July 2018, the Boston Globe reported on a secret program called "Quiet Skies", under which armed undercover marshals in airports and on planes keep tabs on passenger behaviors and movements they deemed noteworthy – including abrupt change of direction in the airport, fidgeting, having a "cold penetrating stare", changing clothes, shaving, using phones, even using the bathroom – and send detailed observations to the TSA.<ref name="Boton Globe Quiet Skies tracking">{{cite web |last1=Winter |first1=Jana |title=In 'Quiet Skies' program, TSA is tracking regular travelers like terrorists in secret surveillance |url=https://apps.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/graphics/2018/07/tsa-quiet-skies/ |website=BostonGlobe.com |access-date=July 31, 2018 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="NPR Quiet Skies passenger tracking July 2018">{{cite news |last1=Domonoske |first1=Camila |title=TSA's 'Quiet Skies' Program Tracks, Observes Travelers In The Air |url=https://www.npr.org/2018/07/30/633980912/tsas-quiet-skies-program-tracks-observes-travelers-in-the-air |website=NPR.org |date=July 30, 2018 |access-date=July 31, 2018 |language=en}}</ref> The news raised concerns about Constitutional rights by groups like the ACLU and by lawmakers.<ref name="Common Dreams July 2018 Quiet Skies">{{cite web |last1=Corbteett |first1=Jessica |title='Creepy Violation of Constitutional Rights': TSA Uses Armed Undercover Air Marshals to Surveil Unsuspecting Travelers |url=https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/30/creepy-violation-constitutional-rights-tsa-uses-armed-undercover-air-marshals |website=Common Dreams |access-date=July 31, 2018 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Boston Globe July 2018 lawmaker concerns: Quiet Skies">{{cite web |last1=Winter |first1=Jana |title=TSA 'Quiet Skies' program has lawmakers demanding answers - The Boston Globe |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2018/07/30/lawmakers-demand-answers-quiet-skies-surveillance-program-after-globe-report/tQa7Y5SHFJEbo2z1RHwbYM/story.html |website=BostonGlobe.com |access-date=July 31, 2018}}</ref>

| [[Federal Flight Deck Officer]] (FFDOs) are the airline pilots working for the U.S. airlines, who are sworn and deputized as federal [[law enforcement officers]] (FLEOs) to carry out the law enforcement duties within their specific jurisdictions (flight deck) and only from the time their aircraft doors are closed and until they are opened. FFDOs do not have arrest powers but are authorized to carry a federally issued firearm and use force (including deadly force). While the program is voluntary, only active [[Federal Aviation Regulations#Part 121|part 121]] airline pilots are eligible for the FFDO program. FFDO's are trained by the [[Federal Air Marshal Service]] and deputized by the [[Department of Homeland Security]]. Their primary goal is to work with (or without) the FAM team to defend the flight deck from [[Aircraft hijacking|hijacking]], criminal violence, or any other terrorist threats to their aircraft.

| Transportation Security Inspectors (TSIs): They inspect, and investigate passenger and cargo transportation systems to see how secure they are. TSA employs roughly 1,000 aviation inspectors, 450 cargo inspectors,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08959t.pdf |title=GAO-08-959T Aviation Security: Transportation Security Administration May Face Resource and Other Challenges in Developing a System to Screen All Cargo Transported on Passenger Aircraft |access-date=November 19, 2010}}</ref> and 100 surface inspectors.<ref name="dhs.gov"/> As of July 2018, TSA had 97 international inspectors, are primarily responsible for performing and reporting the results of foreign airport assessments and air carrier inspections, and will provide on-site assistance and make recommendations for security enhancements.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gao.gov/assets/700/695693.pdf |title=GAO-19-162 Aviation Security: TSA Uses a Variety of Methods to Secure U.S.-bound Air Cargo, but Could Do More to Assess Their Effectiveness |access-date=July 5, 2019}}</ref>

[[File:Tsa viper csg1.jpg|thumb|right|VIPR team working cars waiting to board a ferry in Portland, Maine]]
| [[National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program]]: These trainers prepare dogs and handlers to serve as mobile teams that can quickly find dangerous materials. {{As of|June 2008}}, the TSA had trained about 430 canine teams, with 370 deployed to airports and 56 deployed to mass transit systems.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08933r.pdf |title=GAO-08-933R TSA's Explosives Detection Canine Program: Status of Increasing Number of Explosives Detection Canine Teams |access-date=November 19, 2010}}</ref>
| [[Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response|Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response (VIPR) teams]]: VIPR teams started in 2005 and involved [[Federal Air Marshals]] and other TSA crew working outside of the airport environment, at train stations, ports, truck weigh stations, special events, and other places. There has been some controversy and congressional criticism for problems such as the July 3, 2007 holiday screenings. In 2011, [[Amtrak]] police chief John O'Connor moved to temporarily ban VIPR teams from Amtrak property. As of 2011, VIPR team operations were being conducted at a rate of 8,000 per year.<ref>Please see [[Visual Intermodal Prevention and Response]] article for references</ref>
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