Editing Transportation Security Administration (section)

== Criticism and controversy ==

=== Effectiveness of screening procedures ===
[[File:TSA Red Team logo.png|thumb|200x200px|The logo of TSA's [[red team]] which includes a [[Black swan theory|black swan]]]]
Undercover operations to test the effectiveness of airport screening processes are routinely carried out by the TSA's Office of Investigations,<ref name="Elias2010">{{cite book |last=Elias |first=Bart |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nW3kZay_eKEC&pg=PT11 |title=Airport Passenger Screening: Background and Issues for Congress |date=April 2010 |publisher=DIANE Publishing |isbn=9781437923223 |pages=11– |access-date=April 7, 2013}}</ref> TSA's [[red team]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=TSA Inspections |date=November 5, 2019 |title=TSA Inspection: Red Team Overview |url=https://alert.northeastern.edu/assets/adsa/adsa21_presentations/12_Pinegar.pdf |website=[[Northeastern University]]}}</ref> and the [[Department of Homeland Security]] [[Inspector General]]'s office.

A 2004 report by the [[Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General]] found that TSA officials had collaborated with [[Covenant Aviation Security]] (CAS) at [[San Francisco International Airport]] to alert screeners to undercover tests.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dhs.gov/xoig/assets/mgmtrpts/OIG_07-04_Oct06.pdf |author=Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General |title=Review of Allegations Regarding San Francisco International Airport, OIG-07-04 |date=October 2006 |access-date=November 22, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527231442/https://www.dhs.gov/xoig/assets/mgmtrpts/OIG_07-04_Oct06.pdf |archive-date=May 27, 2010 |author-link=Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General }}</ref> From August 2003 until May 2004, precise descriptions of the undercover personnel were provided to the screeners. The handing out of descriptions was then stopped, but until January 2005 screeners were still alerted whenever undercover operations were being undertaken.<ref>[http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/11/17/BAG72MESP91.DTL San Francisco International Airport Screening tests were sabotaged]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111114083057/http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2006%2F11%2F17%2FBAG72MESP91.DTL |date=November 14, 2011 }}, ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'', November 17, 2006</ref> When no wrongdoing on the part of CAS was found, the contract was extended for four years. Some CAS and TSA workers received disciplinary action, but none were fired.<ref name="sfgate2006">{{cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/SAN-FRANCISCO-INTERNATIONAL-AIRPORT-Screening-2484529.php|author= Jim Doyle|title=San Francisco International Airport / Screening tests were sabotaged / Security workers were warned when undercover agent arrived  |work=The San Francisco Chronicle|date=November 17, 2006 |access-date=November 22, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Aaron C. Davis |url=http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2006Nov17/0,4670,SanFranciscoAirport,00.html |title=SF Airport Cheated Security Tests |publisher=FOX News |date=November 17, 2006 |access-date=November 22, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110730075020/http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2006Nov17/0%2C4670%2CSanFranciscoAirport%2C00.html |archive-date=July 30, 2011 }}</ref>

A report on undercover operations conducted in October 2006 at [[Newark Liberty International Airport]] was leaked to the press. The screeners had failed 20 of 22 undercover security tests, missing numerous guns and bombs. The [[Government Accountability Office]] had previously pointed to repeated covert test failures by TSA personnel.<ref>[http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=screeners28&date=20061028 Airport screeners fail to see most test bombs] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080131175452/http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=screeners28&date=20061028 |date=January 31, 2008 }}, ''[[The Seattle Times]]'', October 28, 2006</ref><ref>[http://www.consumerist.com/consumer/airlines/newark-airport-screeners-fail-to-find-hidden-weapons-in-federal-test-211044.php?mail2=true Screeners at Newark fail to find 'weapons'] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070301181902/http://www.consumerist.com/consumer/airlines/newark-airport-screeners-fail-to-find-hidden-weapons-in-federal-test-211044.php?mail2=true |date=March 1, 2007 }}{{spaced ndash}}Agents got 20 of 22 'devices' past staff. ''[[The Star-Ledger]]'', October 27, 2006.</ref> Revealing the results of covert tests is against TSA policy, and the agency responded by initiating an internal probe to discover the source of the leak.<ref>[http://www.whistleblower.org/content/press_detail.cfm?press_id=663 TSA seeks source of leaks on airport security tests], ''The Star-Ledger'', October 31, 2006 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927221915/http://www.whistleblower.org/content/press_detail.cfm?press_id=663 |date=September 27, 2007 }}</ref>

In July 2007, the ''[[Times Union (Albany)|Times Union]]'' of [[Albany, New York]] reported that TSA screeners at [[Albany International Airport]] failed multiple covert security tests conducted by the TSA. Among them was a failure to detect a fake bomb.<ref>{{cite news |title=Fake Bomb Eludes Airport Test |url=http://archives.timesunion.com/mweb/wmsql.wm.request?oneimage&imageid=6466589 |work=Times Union |location=Albany, NY |date=July 4, 2007 }}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

In December 2010, ABC News Houston reported in an article about a man who accidentally took a forgotten gun through airport security, that "the failure rate approaches 70 percent at some major airports".<ref name="quinn">{{cite news|last=Quinn|first=Kevin|title=Man boards plane at IAH with loaded gun in carry-on|url=https://abc13.com/archive/7848683/|access-date=May 12, 2011|newspaper=ABC News KTRK-TV/DT Houston|date=December 17, 2010|archive-date=June 29, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629051305/http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news%2Flocal&id=7848683|url-status=live}}</ref>

In June 2011, TSA fired 36 screeners at the [[Honolulu International Airport|Honolulu airport]] for regularly allowing bags through without being inspected.<ref>Poole, Robert (September 19, 2011) [http://www.cnn.com/2011/TRAVEL/06/10/tsa.screeners/index.html Massive firing at HNL Honolulu Airport], [[CNN]]</ref>

In 2011, an artist, Geoff McGann, was detained by the TSA, arrested, and charged for wearing a watch which contained visible wiring and fuse-like elements, despite containing no explosive ingredients.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Stampler |first1=Laura |title=This Adman Was Arrested At An Airport For Having A Bomb-Like Watch |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/geoff-mcgann-arrested-in-airport-for-his-watch-2012-11 |website=Business Insider |access-date=11 January 2023}}</ref>

In March 2012, American attorney Jonathan Corbett published video demonstrating a vulnerability in TSA's body scanners that would allow metallic objects to pass undetected.<ref>{{cite news |title=Blogger shows the world how to sneak anything past TSA's nude body scanners [video] |url=https://bgr.com/general/blogger-shows-the-world-how-to-sneak-anything-past-tsas-nude-body-scanners-video/ |work=BGR |date=March 7, 2012 }}</ref> TSA downplayed, though did not deny, the vulnerability,<ref>{{cite magazine |title=TSA Pooh-Poohs Video Purporting to Defeat Airport Body Scanners |url=https://www.wired.com/2012/03/bodyscanner-video/ |magazine=Wired |date=March 7, 2012 }}</ref> and researchers later confirmed its existence.<ref>{{cite news |title=Security Analysis of a Full-Body Scanner |url=https://radsec.org/secure1000-sec14.pdf |work=RadSec |date=August 20, 2014 }}</ref>

In May 2012, a report from the [[Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General]] stated that the TSA "does not have a complete understanding" of breaches at the nation's airports, with some hubs doing very little to fix or report security breaches. These findings will be{{update inline|date=September 2021}} presented to Congress.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/15/us/tsa-breaches/index.html?hpt%3Dhp_bn1 |title=Report: TSA security breaches mishandled |website=[[CNN]] |date=May 15, 2012 |access-date=May 16, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305091656/http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/15/us/tsa-breaches/index.html?hpt=hp_bn1 |archive-date=March 5, 2016 }} Report: TSA Security Breaches Mishandled</ref> Rep. [[Darrell Issa]], then-chairman of the [[House Oversight and Government Reform Committee]], and Rep. [[John Mica]], then-chairman of the [[House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee]], were reported in 2012 to have had several joint hearings concerning the cost and benefits of the various safety programs including full-body scanners, the [[Transportation Worker Identification Credential]] (TWIC), and the behavior detection program, among others.<ref>[https://archive.today/20130421173438/http://www.hstoday.us/single-article/joint-house-hearing-questions-effectiveness-of-tsa-aviation-security-measures/a25e6380c21445a2d31eb9d54b2b6f66.html Joint house hearing]- Retrieved August 19, 2012</ref>

A 2015 investigation by the Homeland Security Inspector General revealed that undercover investigators were able to smuggle banned items through checkpoints in 95% of their attempts.<ref>{{cite web |author=Fishel |first=Justin |last2=Thomas |first2=Pierre |last3=Levine |first3=Mike |last4=Date |first4=Jack |date=2015-06-01 |title=TSA failure: Investigators able to smuggle weapons past airport checks in 95 percent of tests |url=http://www.newsnet5.com/news/national/tsa-failure-investigators-able-to-smuggle-weapons-past-airport-checks-in-95-percent-of-tests |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150601165024/http://www.newsnet5.com/news/national/tsa-failure-investigators-able-to-smuggle-weapons-past-airport-checks-in-95-percent-of-tests |archive-date=June 1, 2015 |work=[[WEWS-TV|NewsNet5]]}}</ref>

Some measures employed by the TSA have been accused of being ineffective and fostering a false sense of safety.<ref>{{cite news |author=Robert W. Poole Jr. |title=False Security |work=[[New York Post]] / [[Reason Foundation]] |date=December 5, 2001 |url=http://reason.org/news/show/122531.html |access-date=August 3, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=[[Ron Paul]] (U.S. Congressman) |title=TSA- Bullies at the Airport |work=Ron Paul's Texas Straight Talk |publisher=house.gov |date=November 29, 2004 |url=http://www.house.gov/paul/tst/tst2004/tst112904.htm |access-date=August 3, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080802162924/http://www.house.gov/paul/tst/tst2004/tst112904.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = August 2, 2008}}</ref> This led security expert [[Bruce Schneier]] to coin the term ''[[security theater]]'' to describe those measures.<ref>{{cite book
  | last = Schneier
  | first = Bruce
  | author-link = Bruce Schneier
  | title = Beyond Fear: Thinking Sensibly about Security in an Uncertain World
  | publisher = Copernicus Books
  | year = 2003
  | isbn = 978-0-387-02620-6
  | page = [https://archive.org/details/beyondfearthinki00schn_0/page/38 38]
  | url-access = registration
  | url = https://archive.org/details/beyondfearthinki00schn_0/page/38
  }}</ref>

====Unintended consequences of screening enhancements====
Two studies by a group of [[Cornell University]] researchers asserted that increased airport security may have increased road fatalities, as would-be air travelers decide to drive and are exposed to the far greater risk of dying in a car accident.<ref name="cornell1" /><ref name="cornell2" /> In 2005, the researchers looked at the immediate aftermath of the attacks of September 11, 2001, and found that the change in passenger travel modes led to 242 added driving deaths per month.<ref name="cornell1">{{cite journal|last=Blalock|first=Garrick|author2=Vrinda Kadiyali |author3=Daniel H. Simon |date=February 10, 2005|title=The Impact of 9/11 on Road Fatalities: The Other Lives Lost to Terrorism|journal=SSRN Working Paper Series|issn=1556-5068|doi=10.2139/ssrn.677549|ssrn=677549|s2cid=166297695}}</ref> In all, they estimated that about 1,200 driving deaths could be attributed to the short-term effects of the attacks. The study attributes the change in traveler behavior to two factors: fear of terrorist attacks and the wish to avoid the inconvenience of strict security measures; no attempt is made to estimate separately the influence of each of these two factors.

In 2007, the researchers studied the specific effects of a change to security practices instituted by the TSA in late 2002. They concluded that this change reduced the number of air travelers by 6%, and estimated that consequently, 129 more people died in car accidents in the fourth quarter of 2002.<ref name="cornell2">{{cite web|url=http://aem.cornell.edu/faculty_sites/gb78/wp/JLE_6301.pdf |title=AEM.cornell.edu |access-date=January 16, 2012}}</ref> Extrapolating this rate of fatalities, ''New York Times'' contributor [[Nate Silver]] remarked that this is equivalent to "four fully loaded Boeing 737s crashing each year."<ref>{{cite news|last=Silver |first=Nate |url=http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/18/the-hidden-costs-of-extra-airport-security/?partner=rss&emc=rss |title=The Hidden Costs of Extra Security - NYTimes.com |publisher=Fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com |date= November 18, 2010|access-date=November 19, 2010}}</ref> The 2007 study also noted that strict airport security hurts the airline industry; it was estimated that the 6% reduction in the number of passengers in the fourth quarter of 2002 cost the industry $1.1 billion in lost business.<ref name="Blalock2007">{{cite journal|last=Blalock|first=Garrick|author2=Vrinda Kadiyali |author3=Daniel H. Simon |year=2007|title=The Impact of Post-9/11 Airport Security Measures on the Demand for Air Travel|journal=The Journal of Law and Economics|volume=50|issue=4|pages=731–755|issn=0022-2186|doi=10.1086/519816|s2cid=681649}}</ref>

===Sexual assaults===

In April 2015, NBC Denver news ran a story on two related employees coordinating amongst themselves to falsely flag attractive passengers for groping. According to NBC, while the TSA fired the employees, it took steps to protect the identity of the employees, which NBC suggested was an effort to shield them from state prosecution. The state prosecutor eventually declined to charge the individuals, as none of the unknowingly groped passengers had come forward to complain. Following the incident, Time magazine ran a story quoting a former TSA employee, who claimed groping is business as usual.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-04-20 |title=TSA Screeners Fired In Groping Scandal Both In 20s, No Criminal Records - CBS Colorado |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/tsa-screeners-fired-in-groping-scandal-both-in-20s-no-criminal-records/ |access-date=2023-10-02 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=2015-04-15 |title=Former TSA Agent: Groping Scandal Is Business as Usual |url=https://time.com/3822487/tsa-sexual-assault-denver/ |access-date=2023-10-02 |magazine=Time |language=en}}</ref>

In August 2015, a TSA agent was charged for sexually assaulting a Korean exchange student at New York LaGuardia Airport. After the woman complied with his order to go into the restroom for further screening, the agent assaulted her. TSA in a press release after firing the worker stated passengers should be aware it does not screen people after the pass through security — this despite TSA having dogs in secure areas sniffing luggage for contraband that would require a human inspection.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-08-28 |title=TSA Agent Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Woman In LaGuardia Airport Bathroom - CBS New York |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/tsa-agent-sex-assaultlaguardia-airport/ |access-date=2023-10-02 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Sachs |first=Andrea |date=2023-04-12 |title=Don't mind the wet nose: TSA enlists more dogs to screen passengers |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/dont-mind-the-wet-nose-tsa-enlists-more-dogs-to-screen-passengers-for-explosives/2016/01/20/26e11d98-b983-11e5-829c-26ffb874a18d_story.html |access-date=2023-10-02 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref>

In 2021, former TSA agent Jonathan Lomeli was convicted of assault after an incident where he tricked a woman into showing her breasts under the guise of it being part of a security screening.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-01-24 |title=Former TSA agent convicted for tricking woman into showing breasts at LAX |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/former-tsa-agent-convicted-tricking-woman-showing-breasts-lax-n1255456 |access-date=2024-05-26 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref>

=== Smuggling drugs and weapons ===
In 2012, a number of people including TSA employees were arrested in Los Angeles Airport after they were found to be a part of a drug smuggling gang.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ex-tsa-chief-on-la-drug-smuggling-this-is-betrayal-this-is-treason/|title=Ex-TSA chief on L.A. Drug smuggling: "This is betrayal, this is treason"|website=[[CBS News]]|date=April 26, 2012 }}</ref>

In 2021, a TSA employee was arrested at JFK Airport after she tried to smuggle guns through a metal detector.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/ny-tsa-employee-busted-jfk-airport-queens-20210622-3vzvxshsrzfw3chvnr2ogymbiu-story.html?outputType=amp|title = TSA employee busted for trying to smuggle illegal gun through JFK Airport checkpoint|website = [[New York Daily News]]}}</ref>

=== Baggage theft ===
[[File:Tsa notice of baggage inspection.jpg|thumb|150px|Notice of Baggage Inspection]]
The TSA has been criticized for an increase in baggage theft after its inception.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.concierge.com/cntraveler/articles/5984|title=Stop Press: Case Closed?|author=William J. McGee|date=January 2005|work=[[Condé Nast Traveler]]|access-date=February 19, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110825034105/http://www.concierge.com/cntraveler/articles/5984|archive-date=August 25, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> Reported thefts include both valuable and [[dangerous goods]], such as laptops, jewelry,<ref name="exposed">{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tsa-baggage-screeners-exposed/|title=TSA Baggage Screeners Exposed|date=September 13, 2004|access-date=August 2, 2008|publisher=[[CBS Evening News]]}}</ref> guns,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/national/BO25420/|title=Guns stolen from O'Hare Airport police|date=August 16, 2006|work=[[WHDH-TV]]|access-date=February 18, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718035328/http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/national/BO25420/|archive-date=July 18, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> and knives.<ref name="pleadguilty">{{cite news|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/3-ex-TSA-workers-plead-guilty-to-theft-1183643.php|title=3 ex-TSA workers plead guilty to theft|date=September 24, 2005|access-date=August 2, 2008|newspaper=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]}}</ref> Such thefts have raised concerns that the same access might allow bombs to be placed aboard aircraft.<ref name="AirportInsecurity">{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/1095349001.html?dids=1095349001%3A1095349001&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS%3AFT&type=current&date=Aug+15%2C+2006&author=Chicago+Tribune&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=Airport+insecurity+%3B+Several+guns+have+been+stolen+from+baggage+at+O%27Hare&pqatl=google|title=Airport insecurity; Several guns have been stolen from baggage at O'Hare|date=Aug 15, 2006|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|access-date=April 11, 2011|quote=In addition, the apparent ease with which employees have opened checked baggage already screened for explosives raises concerns that a bomb could be planted ......|archive-date=May 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120504124903/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/1095349001.html?dids=1095349001%3A1095349001&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS%3AFT&type=current&date=Aug+15%2C+2006&author=Chicago+Tribune&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=Airport+insecurity+%3B+Several+guns+have+been+stolen+from+baggage+at+O%27Hare&pqatl=google|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2004, over 17,000 claims of baggage theft were reported.<ref name="exposed" /> As of 2004, 60 screeners had been arrested for baggage theft,<ref name=exposed/> a number which had grown to 200 screeners by 2008.<ref name="tipsswipe">{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/24187702|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130305111251/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/24187702|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 5, 2013|title=Tips to ensure the TSA doesn't swipe your stuff|last=Elliott|first=Christopher|date=April 21, 2008|access-date=August 2, 2008|publisher=[[NBC News]]}}</ref> 11,700 theft and damage claims were reported to the TSA in 2009, a drop from 26,500 in 2004, which was attributed to the installation of cameras and conveyor belts in airports.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2010/03/18/US-reports-big-drop-in-baggage-claims/UPI-50861268922239/#ixzz1EN4D23HM|title=U.S. reports big drop in baggage claims|date=March 18, 2010|work=[[UPI]]|access-date=February 19, 2011}}</ref> A total of 25,016 thefts were reported over the five-year period from 2010 to 2014.<ref name="hidden">{{cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2015/04/13/us/airport-luggage-theft/|title=Hidden cameras show airport workers stealing from bags - CNN.com|last=Zamost|first=Scott|date=April 13, 2015|work=[[CNN]]|access-date=April 14, 2015|author2=Drew Griffin|author3=Curt Devine}}</ref>

{{As of|2011}}, the TSA employed about 60,000 screeners in total (counting both baggage and passenger screening)<ref>{{cite news|url=http://atwonline.com/international-aviation-regulation/news/tsa-sets-framework-airport-screeners-collectively-bargain-020|title=TSA sets 'framework' for airport screeners to collectively bargain|last=Karp|first=Aaron|date=February 7, 2010|work=[[Air Transport World]]|access-date=February 19, 2011}}</ref> and approximately 500 TSA agents had been fired or suspended for stealing from passenger luggage since the agency's creation in November 2001. The airports with the most reported thefts from 2010 to 2014 were [[John F. Kennedy International Airport]], followed by [[Los Angeles International Airport]] and [[Orlando International Airport]].<ref name="hidden" />

In 2008, an investigative report by [[WTAE-TV|WTAE]] in Pittsburgh discovered that despite over 400 reports of baggage theft, about half of which the TSA reimbursed passengers for, not a single arrest had been made.<ref name="wtae">{{cite news|url=http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/4530735/detail.html|title=Team 4: Airport Baggage Theft Claims|last=Parsons|first=Jim|date=May 25, 2005|access-date=August 2, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616070943/http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/4530735/detail.html|archive-date=June 16, 2008|url-status=dead|publisher=[[WTAE-TV]]|location=Pittsburgh}}</ref> The TSA does not, as a matter of policy, share baggage theft reports with local police departments.<ref name=wtae/>

In September 2012, ABC News interviewed former TSA agent Pythias Brown, who admitted to stealing more than $800,000 worth of items during his employment with the agency. Brown stated that it was "very convenient to steal", and that poor morale within the agency led agents to steal from passengers.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/convicted-tsa-officer-reveals-secrets-thefts-airports/story?id=17339513&page=2#.UGZq3lHGjs0|title=Convicted TSA Officer Reveals Secrets of Thefts at Airports|date=September 28, 2012|work=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]}}</ref>

In September 2023, NBC Miami ran a story regarding 3 TSA employees who were arrested for grand theft after being filmed on security cameras stealing cash, and goods from handbags.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Guirola|first=Jamie |date=2023-09-12 |title=New surveillance footage shows Miami TSA officers accused of stealing from passengers |url=https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/new-surveillance-footage-shows-miami-tsa-officers-accused-of-stealing-from-passengers/3109762/ |access-date=2023-10-02 |work=[[NBC 6 South Florida]] |language=en-US |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011214829/https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/new-surveillance-footage-shows-miami-tsa-officers-accused-of-stealing-from-passengers/3109762/ |archivedate=2023-10-11}}</ref>

The TSA has also been criticized for not responding properly to theft and failing to reimburse passengers for stolen goods. For example, between 2011 and 2012, passengers at [[Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport]] reported $300,000 in property lost or damaged by the TSA. The agency only reimbursed $35,000 of those claims.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/hundreds-complaints-filed-tsa-over-lost-items-hart/nWHZ4/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130208054723/http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/hundreds-complaints-filed-tsa-over-lost-items-hart/nWHZ4/|url-status=dead|title=Hundreds of complaints filed with TSA over lost items at Hartfield|archive-date=February 8, 2013}}</ref> Similar statistics were found at Jacksonville International Airport – passengers reported $22,000 worth of goods missing or damaged over the course of 15 months. The TSA only reimbursed $800 total of this amount.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.actionnewsjax.com/mostpopular/story/Passengers-lose-thousands-at-JIA/Iy2f9vU5gUq4chBdPovfmQ.cspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130211082350/http://www.actionnewsjax.com/mostpopular/story/Passengers-lose-thousands-at-JIA/Iy2f9vU5gUq4chBdPovfmQ.cspx|url-status=dead|title=Passengers lose thousands at JIA|archive-date=February 11, 2013}}</ref>

===Data security incidents===

====Employee records lost or stolen====
In 2007, an unencrypted computer [[hard drive]] containing [[Social Security Administration|Social Security]] numbers, bank data, and payroll information for about 100,000 employees was lost or stolen from TSA headquarters. Kip Hawley alerted TSA employees to the loss, and apologized for it. The agency asked the [[FBI]] to investigate. There were no reports that the data was later misused.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/18497134 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630143931/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/18497134/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 30, 2015 |title=TSA Computer Hard Drive Missing |agency=Associated Press |author=Matt Apuzzo |date=May 4, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-07-16-tsa-missing-drive_N.htm|title=TSA: Missing hard drive left unprotected|date=July 16, 2007|work=[[USA Today]]|access-date=April 7, 2013}}</ref>

====Unsecured website====

In 2007, [[Christopher Soghoian]], a blogger and security researcher, said that a TSA website was collecting private passenger information in an unsecured manner, exposing passengers to [[identity theft]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://paranoia.dubfire.net/2007/02/tsa-has-outsourced-tsa-traveler.html |title=TSA has outsourced the TSA Traveler Identity Verification Program? |access-date=June 16, 2007 |last=Soghoian |first=Christopher |date=February 13, 2007 |work=Slight paranoia }}</ref> The website allowed passengers to dispute their inclusion on the [[No Fly List]]. The TSA fixed the website several days after the press picked up the story.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2007/02/homeland_securi.html |title=Homeland Security Website Hacked by Phishers? 15 Signs Say Yes |access-date=June 16, 2007 |last=Singel |first=Ryan |date=February 14, 2007 |work=Threat Level – Wired News |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070429123014/http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2007/02/homeland_securi.html |archive-date=April 29, 2007 }}</ref> The U.S. House [[Committee on Oversight and Government Reform]] investigated the matter,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://oversight.house.gov/Documents/20070223122534-10589.pdf |title=Letter Requesting Documents from TSA: Oversight Committee Requests Information on TSA Traveler Identity Verification Website |access-date=June 16, 2007 |last=Waxman |first=Henry |date=February 23, 2007 |work=House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070328233646/http://oversight.house.gov/Documents/20070223122534-10589.pdf <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = March 28, 2007}}</ref> and said the website had operated insecurely for more than four months, during which more than 247 people had submitted personal information.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tsa.dhs.gov/press/happenings/tsa_site.shtm |title=Background on Committee Report Regarding TSA's Redress Web Site |access-date=March 5, 2008 |date=January 11, 2008 |publisher=Transportation Security Administration |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219111732/http://www.tsa.dhs.gov/press/happenings/tsa_site.shtm |archive-date=February 19, 2008 }}</ref> The report said the TSA manager who awarded the contract for creating the website was a high-school friend and former employee of the owner of the firm that received the contract.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/01/cronyism-led-to.html |title=Vulnerable TSA Website Exposed by Threat Level Leads to Cronyism Charge |access-date=March 5, 2008 |last=Singel |first=Ryan |date=January 11, 2008 |work=Wired News}}</ref> It noted:<blockquote> Neither Desyne nor the Technical Lead on the traveler redress website have been sanctioned by TSA for their roles in the deployment of an insecure website. TSA continues to pay Desyne to host and maintain two major web-based information systems. TSA has taken no steps to discipline the Technical Lead, who still holds a senior program management position at TSA.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://oversight.house.gov/story.asp?ID=1680 |title=Chairman Waxman Releases Report on Information Security Breach at TSA's Traveler Redress Website |access-date=March 5, 2008 |date=January 11, 2008 |publisher=[[United States House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform]] |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080131042333/http://oversight.house.gov/story.asp?ID=1680 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = January 31, 2008}}</ref></blockquote>

In December 2009, someone within the TSA posted a sensitive manual titled "Screening Management [[Standard Operating Procedures|SOP]]" on secret airport screening guidelines to an obscure URL on the FedBizOpps website. The manual was taken down quickly, but the breach raised questions about whether security practices had been compromised.<ref>{{cite news
 |title       = House to hold hearings on breach of TSA screening guidelines
 |author      = Eric Zimmermann
 |url         = https://thehill.com/homenews/ap/ap-entertainment/news-executive-richard-wald-who-helped-build-abc-news-dies/ <!-- http://thehill.com//blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/71443-house-to-hold-hearings-on-tsa-breach -->
 |work        = [[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]
 |publisher   = <!-- Capitol Hill Publishing Corp. -->
 |location    = Washington, DC
 |date        = December 11, 2009
 |url-status     = live
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20101031082514/http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/71443
 |archive-date = October 31, 2010
}}</ref> Five TSA employees were placed on [[administrative leave]] over the manual's publication, which, while [[wikt:redact|redacted]], had its [[Sanitization (classified information)|redaction]] easily removed.<ref>{{cite news
| title = TSA puts 5 on leave after security manual hits Internet
| url = http://www.cnn.com/2009/TRAVEL/12/09/tsa.training.manual
| work = CNN Travel
| date = December 10, 2009
}}</ref>

===Other criticisms===

Other common criticisms of the agency have also included assertions that TSA employees have slept on the job,<ref>{{cite news |title=TSA fires screener caught sleeping in Seattle |url=http://www.cnn.com/2003/TRAVEL/01/06/airport.screener/ |date=January 6, 2003 |publisher=[[Cable News Network|CNN]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Report: Air Marshal Caught Sleeping on Flight |date=June 7, 2006 |url=http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/9335428/detail.html |publisher=TheDenverChannel.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070125180216/http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/9335428/detail.html |archive-date=January 25, 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2003/TRAVEL/03/11/sleeping.screener.ap/index.html|title=Security screener suspended for sleeping|date=March 11, 2003|work=[[CNN]]|access-date=November 27, 2010|location=Windsor Locks, Connecticut|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618075026/http://www.cnn.com/2003/TRAVEL/03/11/sleeping.screener.ap/index.html|archive-date=June 18, 2008|agency=Associated Press}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=TSA Has Fired 112 Honolulu Employees Since 2002 |url=http://www.thehawaiichannel.com/news/6692360/detail.html |date=February 2, 2006 |publisher=TheHawaiiChannel.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060511215746/http://www.thehawaiichannel.com/news/6692360/detail.html |archive-date=May 11, 2006 }}</ref> bypassed security checks,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.local6.com/news/10958681/detail.html |title=TSA Workers Skipping Orlando Airport Security Causes Concern |publisher=Local6.com |date=February 7, 2007 |access-date=November 19, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080615004859/http://www.local6.com/news/10958681/detail.html |archive-date=June 15, 2008 }}</ref> and failed to use good judgment and common sense.<ref>{{cite web|title=TSA Officers Hassle Female Passenger with Toddler at Reagan National Airport over Sippy Cup? |work=Myth Busters |publisher=Transportation Security Administration |date=June 17, 2007 |url=http://www.tsa.dhs.gov/approach/mythbusters/dca_incident.shtm |access-date=August 2, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705093104/http://www.tsa.dhs.gov/approach/mythbusters/dca_incident.shtm |archive-date=July 5, 2008 }}<!--The date at the URL is June 19, so maybe the story was updated with relevant videos and documents--></ref><ref>{{cite video |people=[[Keith Olbermann]] (host), Andrew Thomas (guest), Monica Emmerson (seen in [[Closed-circuit television|CCTV]] clip/s and photos) |title=Olbermann covers *The sippy-cup terrorist* – "Countdown w/ Keith Olbermann" |medium=Television production |publisher=[[MSNBC]] via [[YouTube]] |date=June 18, 2007 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4Fu_qvm8dw |access-date=August 2, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Teen Says TSA Screener Opened Sterile Equipment, Put Life In Danger |publisher=[[WFTV]].com |location=Orlando, [[Florida|Fla.]] |date=March 6, 2008 |url=http://www.wftv.com/irresistible/15511359/detail.html |access-date=August 2, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080929145100/http://www.wftv.com/irresistible/15511359/detail.html |archive-date=September 29, 2008 }}</ref>

TSA agents are also accused and convicted of having mistreated passengers; having sexually harassed passengers;<ref>{{cite news |last=Reed |first=Keith |title=US eases patdown policy for air travelers |work=The Boston Globe |date=December 23, 2004 |url=https://www.boston.com/business/articles/2004/12/23/us_eases_patdown_policy_for_air_travelers |access-date=August 3, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Plan to snoop on fliers takes intrusion to new heights |work=Editorial/Opinion |publisher=[[USA Today]] |date=March 11, 2003 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/2003-03-11-our-view1_x.htm |access-date=August 3, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |title=Phoenix airport to test X-ray screening |newspaper=USA Today |date=December 1, 2006 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2006-12-01-airport-screening_x.htm |access-date=August 3, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Ritchie |first=Jim |title=TSA officials being probed |work=Pittsburgh Tribune-Review |date=April 29, 2005 |url=http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_329096.html |access-date=October 8, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013074505/http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_329096.html |archive-date=October 13, 2008 }}</ref> having used invasive screening procedures, including touching the genitals, along with those of children;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20101111/us_nm/us_usa_security_patdowns_1 |title=Pilots and passengers rail at new airport patdowns |publisher=Yahoo! |access-date=November 19, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101114071050/http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20101111/us_nm/us_usa_security_patdowns_1 |archive-date=November 14, 2010 }}</ref> misusing body scanners to ogle female passengers;<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/2012/02/female-body-scans/|title=Female Passengers Say They Were Targeted for TSA Body Scanners|first=Kim|last=Zetter|magazine=Wired|date=February 14, 2012|access-date=August 23, 2020|via=www.wired.com}}</ref> having searched passengers or their belongings for items other than weapons or explosives;<ref>{{cite news
| title = Is Tougher Airport Screening Going Too Far?
| author = Scott McCartney
| url = https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204556804574261940842372518
| newspaper = Wall Street Journal
| date = July 16, 2009
}}</ref> and having stolen from passengers.<ref name="wtae"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Jamieson |first=Bob |author-link=Bob Jamieson |title=TSA Under Fire for Rising Theft by Baggage Screeners |publisher=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |date=November 19, 2004 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=266573 |access-date=August 2, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=3 ex-TSA workers plead guilty to theft |work=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]] |date=September 24, 2005 |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/3-ex-TSA-workers-plead-guilty-to-theft-1183643.php |access-date=August 2, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=TSA Baggage Screeners Exposed |work=[[CBS Evening News]] |date=September 13, 2004 |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tsa-baggage-screeners-exposed/ |access-date=August 2, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Goo |first=Sara Kehaulani |title=TSA Under Pressure To Stop Baggage Theft |pages=A01 |newspaper=Washington Post |date=June 29, 2003 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A45823-2003Jun28?language=html |access-date=August 2, 2008 }} (Registration required). Full text [http://www.msasecurityservices.com/airportnews.html#TSA_Under_Pressure_To_Stop_Baggage_Theft here.] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080809233445/http://www.msasecurityservices.com/airportnews.html#TSA_Under_Pressure_To_Stop_Baggage_Theft |date=August 9, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=TMJ4 staff |date=October 14, 2006 |title=TSA Screener Arrested |url=http://www.todaystmj4.com/_content/news/topstories/story_4773.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061104200942/http://www.todaystmj4.com/_content/news/topstories/story_4773.asp |archive-date=November 4, 2006 |work=[[WTMJ-TV]] |location=Milwaukee}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=10News Exclusive: Are TSA Employees Stealing? |work=10News |publisher=[[KGTV]] |location=San Diego, California |date=February 7, 2007 |url=http://www.10news.com/news/10958212/detail.html |access-date=August 2, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Elliott |first=Christopher |title=Tips to ensure the TSA doesn't swipe your stuff |publisher=[[NBC News]] |date=April 21, 2008 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/24187702 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130305111251/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/24187702 |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 5, 2013 |access-date=August 2, 2008}}<!--Sometimes does not open in Mozilla Firefox 2.0, so IE should be handy.--></ref>
The TSA fired 28 agents and suspended 15 others after an investigation determined they failed to scan checked baggage for explosives.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.kitv.com/Some-TSA-HNL-Employees-Escape-Firing-In-Baggage-Scandal/5341048|title=Some TSA HNL Employees Escape Firing In Baggage Scanda|last=Kerr|first=Keoki|date=September 16, 2011|publisher=KITV Honolulu|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909041416/http://www.kitv.com/Some-TSA-HNL-Employees-Escape-Firing-In-Baggage-Scandal/5341048|archive-date=September 9, 2015}}</ref>

The TSA was also accused of having spent lavishly on events unrelated to airport security,<ref>{{cite news |last=Miller |first=Leslie |title=Lavish party spurs criticism of agency |work=[[Deseret News]] |date=October 13, 2004 |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/595098094/Lavish-party-spurs-criticism-of-agency.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101031080425/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/595098094/Lavish-party-spurs-criticism-of-agency.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 31, 2010 |access-date=August 4, 2008}}</ref> having wasted money in hiring,<ref name="Traveler0307">{{cite news |last=Peterson |first=Barbara S. |title=Inside Job: My Life as an Airport Screener |work=[[Condé Nast Traveler]] |date=March 2007 |url=http://www.concierge.com/cntraveler/articles/10624?pageNumber=3 |access-date=August 4, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080620083812/http://www.concierge.com/cntraveler/articles/10624?pageNumber=3 |archive-date=June 20, 2008 }}</ref> and having had [[Conflict of interest|conflicts of interest]].<ref>Poole, Robert (April 13, 2010) [http://reason.com/archives/2010/04/13/get-the-government-out-of-airp Get the Government Out of Airport Screening: The TSA's conflicts of interest prevent better, cheaper security] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160712033126/http://reason.com/archives/2010/04/13/get-the-government-out-of-airp |date=July 12, 2016 }}, ''[[Reason Magazine|Reason]]''</ref>

The TSA was accused of having performed poorly at the [[First inauguration of Barack Obama|2009 Presidential Inauguration]] viewing areas, which left thousands of ticket holders excluded from the event in overcrowded conditions, while those who had arrived before the checkpoints were in place avoided screening altogether.<ref>{{cite web |title=TSA Helps Secure Inauguration |publisher=Transportation Security Administration |date=January 21, 2009 |url=http://www.tsa.gov/press/happenings/2009_inauguration.shtm |access-date=January 22, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090510123416/https://www.tsa.gov/press/happenings/2009_inauguration.shtm |archive-date=May 10, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=And Then We Knew It Was Too Late |newspaper=Washington Post |date=January 20, 2009 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/20/AR2009012003362.html |access-date=January 22, 2009 | first1=Pamela | last1=Constable | author-link=Pamela Constable}}</ref>

In 2013, dozens of TSA workers were fired or suspended for illegal gambling at [[Pittsburgh International Airport]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2013/09/19/dozens-of-tsa-employees-fired-suspended-for-illegal-gambling-ring-at-pittsburgh-intl-airport/|title=Dozens Of TSA Employees Fired, Suspended For Illegal Gambling Ring At Pittsburgh Int'l Airport|date=September 19, 2013}}</ref> and eight TSA workers were arrested in connection with stolen parking passes at [[Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport]].{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}

A 2013, [[GAO]] report showed a 26% increase in misconduct among TSA employees between 2010 and 2012, from 2,691 cases to 3,408.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/31/travel/tsa-misconduct/|title=Government report: TSA employee misconduct up 26% in 3 years - CNN.com|author1=Michael Pearson | author2= Ed Payne | author3=Rene Marsh|date=July 31, 2013|work=CNN}}</ref> Another GAO report said that there is no evidence that the Screening of Passengers by Observation Techniques (SPOT) behavioral detection program, with an annual budget of hundreds of millions of dollars, is effective.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/gao-says-there-is-no-evidence-that-a-tsa-program-to-spot-terrorists-is-effective/2013/11/13/fca999a0-4c93-11e3-be6b-d3d28122e6d4_story.html|title=GAO says there is no evidence that a TSA program to spot terrorists is effective|author=Ashley Halsey III|date=November 13, 2013|newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref>

A 2013 report by the Homeland Security Department Inspector General's Office charged that TSA was using criminal investigators to do the job of lower-paid employees, wasting millions of dollars a year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/25/politics/tsa-investigators-pay/|title=Audit shows highly paid TSA investigators perform lesser tasks|author1=Mike M. Ahlers | author2=Rene Marsh|date=October 25, 2013|work=CNN}}</ref>

On December 3, 2013, the United States House of Representatives passed the [[Transportation Security Acquisition Reform Act (H.R. 2719; 113th Congress)]] in response to criticism of the TSA's acquisition process as wasteful, costly, and ineffective.<ref name=techreform1>{{cite news|last=Kasperowicz|first=Pete|title=House to push tech reform at TSA|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/technology/191721-house-to-push-tech-reform-at-tsa/|access-date=December 4, 2013|newspaper=The Hill|date=December 2, 2013}}</ref><ref name="18 July 2013">{{cite web|title=Bipartisan Legislation Introduced to Reform TSA's Acquisition Process|url=http://homeland.house.gov/press-release/bipartisan-legislation-introduced-reform-tsa-s-acquisition-process|publisher=Committee on Homeland Security of the US House of Representatives|access-date=December 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140802085801/http://homeland.house.gov/press-release/bipartisan-legislation-introduced-reform-tsa-s-acquisition-process|archive-date=August 2, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> If the bill became law, it would require the TSA to develop a comprehensive technology acquisition plan and present regular reports to Congress about its successes and failures to adhere to this plan. An April 2013 report from the [[Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General]] indicated that the TSA had 17,000 items with an estimated cost of $185.7 million stored in its warehouses on May 31, 2012.<ref name=oigreportonwarehouse>{{cite web|last=Richards|first=Anne L.|title=Transportation Security Administration Logistics Center - Inventory Management|url=http://www.oig.dhs.gov/assets/Mgmt/2013/OIG_13-82_Apr13.pdf|publisher=Office of Inspector General - Department of Homeland Security|access-date=December 4, 2013|date=April 26, 2013|archive-date=March 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210323002750/https://www.oig.dhs.gov/assets/Mgmt/2013/OIG_13-82_Apr13.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> The auditors found that "TSA stored unusable or obsolete equipment, maintained inappropriate safety stock levels, and did not develop an inventory management process that systematically deploys equipment."<ref name="oigreportonwarehouse"/>

In January 2014, [[Jason Edward Harrington]], a former TSA screener at [[O'Hare International Airport]], said that fellow staff members assigned to review body scan images of airline passengers routinely joked about fliers' weight, attractiveness, and penis and breast sizes. According to Harrington, screeners would alert each other to attractive female passengers with the code phrase "Hotel Papa" so that staff would have an opportunity to view the passengers' nude form in body scanner monitors and retaliated against rude flyers by delaying them at the checkpoint. TSA Administrator John Pistole responded by saying that all the scanners had been replaced and the screening rooms were disabled. He did not deny that the behaviors described by Harrington took place.<ref>{{cite web|title='New TSA in town,' agency says in response to screener's charges|url=http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2014/01/31/22527381-new-tsa-in-town-agency-says-in-response-to-screeners-charges?lite&lite=obinsite|publisher=NBC News|access-date=December 4, 2013}}</ref>

In May 2016, actress [[Susan Sarandon]] claimed that during the entire time of the Bush administration she was "harassed every time I came into the country". She said that she hired two lawyers to contact the TSA to determine why she had been targeted but that she assumed it was because she was critical of the Bush administration. She said the harassment stopped after her attorneys followed up a second time with the TSA.<ref>Interview on The Late, Late Show with James Corden. CBS Corporation. May 3, 2016.</ref>

In July 2018, a case heard in the [[United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit|Third Circuit Appeals Court]] ruled that TSA agents are not "investigative or law enforcement officers" and thus are not liable under the [[Federal Tort Claims Act]] (FTCA). The case extended from a woman who had been detained and arrested by TSA in 2006 but later the criminal charges were acquitted in court; she had sought damages under the FTCA for damages related to the false arrest and related matters.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-tsa-lawsuit/tsa-screeners-win-immunity-from-abuse-claims-appeals-court-idUSKBN1K125W | title = TSA screeners win immunity from abuse claims: appeals court | first = Jonathan | last = Stempel | date = July 11, 2018 | access-date = July 11, 2018 | work =[[Reuters]] }}</ref>

An [[ACLU]] study found that the TSA disproportionately targets Arabs, Muslims and Latinos, despite DHS claims to the contrary.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/feb/08/tsa-screening-racial-religious-profiling-aclu-study|title=TSA screening program risks racial profiling amid shaky science – study|first=Spencer|last=Ackerman|newspaper=The Guardian |date=February 8, 2017|via=www.theguardian.com}}</ref>

===Public opinion===
A CBS telephone poll of 1137 people published on November 15, 2010, found that 81% percent of those polled approved TSA's use of full-body scans.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20101124133835/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/11/15/politics/main7057902.shtml Poll: 4 in 5 Support Full-Body Airport Scanners] [[CBS]] News, November 15, 2010.</ref> An ABC/Washington Post poll conducted by Langer Associates and released November 22, 2010, found that 64% of Americans favored the full-body X-ray scanners, but that 50% think the "enhanced" pat-downs go too far; 37% felt so strongly. Besides, the poll states opposition is lowest among those who fly less than once a year.<ref>Nate Silver, [http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/22/new-poll-suggests-shift-in-public-views-on-t-s-a-procedures/ New Poll Suggests Shift in Public Views on T.S.A. Procedures] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160521033700/http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/22/new-poll-suggests-shift-in-public-views-on-t-s-a-procedures/ |date=May 21, 2016 }}, ''[[The New York Times]]'', November 22, 2010.</ref> A later poll by [[Zogby International]] found 61% of likely voters oppose the new measures by TSA.<ref>[http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/money_co/2010/11/new-poll-says-61-oppose-new-airport-security-measures.html Poll finds 61% oppose new airport security measures] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806213843/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/money_co/2010/11/new-poll-says-61-oppose-new-airport-security-measures.html |date=August 6, 2016 }}, ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', November 23, 2010.</ref> In 2012, a poll conducted by the Frequent Business Traveler organization found that 56% of frequent fliers were "not satisfied" with the job the TSA was doing. 57% rated the TSA as doing a "poor job," and 34% rated it "fair." Only 1% of those surveyed rated the agency's work as excellent.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/business/la-xpm-2012-sep-11-la-fi-mo-tsa-survey-20120911-story.html|title=Many frequent travelers say TSA is doing poor job|last=Martin|first=Hugo|date=September 11, 2012|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 7, 2013}}</ref> On the contrary, a 2018 Rasmussen Reports telephone poll of 1,000 Adult Americans found that 45% of respondents had an opinion of the TSA ranging from somewhat favorable to very favorable, while 39% had an unfavorable opinion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/lifestyle/general_lifestyle/august_2018/tsa_is_on_the_up_and_up_with_americans|title=TSA Is On the Up-And-Up With Americans - Rasmussen Reports®|website=www.rasmussenreports.com|access-date=November 15, 2019}}</ref>

===Investigations of the TSA===
In 2013, The Office of Inspector General published a report titled "TSA's Actions Insufficient to Address Inspector General Recommendations to Improve its Office of Inspection". The report touched upon several topics of misconduct but the main focus of the report was of the TSA criminal investigators who received a premium on their pay despite not meeting the minimum qualification to be eligible for this pay.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.oig.dhs.gov/assets/Mgmt/2013/OIG_13-123_Sep13.pdf | title=Transportation Security Administration - Office of Inspection's Efforts To Enhance Transportation Security | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125013533/https://www.oig.dhs.gov/assets/Mgmt/2013/OIG_13-123_Sep13.pdf | archive-date=January 25, 2021 | publisher=[[United States Department of Homeland Security]]}}</ref>

The TSA Office of Accountability Inspection Act of 2015 published by the Committee of Commerce, Science, and Transportation, was based on a report of an investigation that found issues with the TSA. The act also followed up the Office of Inspector General's 2013 report, mandating that the TSA should comply with Federal Regulation and correct the wage of the TSA's Criminal Investigators.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CRPT-114srpt111/pdf/CRPT-114srpt111.pdf|title=TSA Office of Accountability Act|access-date=August 23, 2020}}</ref> Had no action been taken this misuse of funds was estimated to cost taxpayers, in a span of five years, $17 million.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-114publ53/pdf/PLAW-114publ53.pdf | title=Public Law 114–53 - An Act to require the Transportation Security Administration to conform to existing Federal law and regulations regarding criminal investigator positions, and for other purposes | date=2015-09-30 | publisher=[[114th United States Congress]] | website=www.govinfo.gov}}</ref>

In response, the TSA contracted a consulting firm to assist the TSA with the Office of Inspector General recommendations. However, the Office of Inspector Generals has found the TSA's response lacking as they have yet to fix a majority of the issues brought up in the report.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.oig.dhs.gov/assets/pr/2015/oigpr_071315.pdf | title=TSA's Actions Insufficient to Address Inspector General - Recommendations to Improve its Office of Inspection  | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126104045/https://www.oig.dhs.gov/assets/pr/2015/oigpr_071315.pdf | archive-date=November 26, 2020 | date=2015-07-13 | website=www.oig.dhs.gov | publisher=[[United States Office of Inspector General]]}}</ref>

===Calls for abolition===
Numerous groups and figures have called for the abolition of the TSA in its current form by persons and groups which include Sen. [[Rand Paul]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0512/75896.html|title=Rand Paul's TSA fix: Pull the plug|work=POLITICO|date=May 3, 2012 }}</ref> (R-KY), Rep. [[John Mica]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20110913/10465415931/guy-who-created-tsa-says-its-failed-its-time-to-dismantle-it.shtml|title=Guy Who Created The TSA Says It's Failed, And It's Time To Dismantle It|work=Techdirt.|date=September 14, 2011}}</ref> (R-FL), The [[Cato Institute]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cato.org/publications/policy-analysis/privatizing-transportation-security-administration|title=Privatizing the Transportation Security Administration|work=Cato Institute}}</ref> [[Downsize DC Foundation]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://downsizedc.org/etp/tsa/|title=Abolish the TSA|access-date=April 20, 2015|archive-date=July 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160730232856/https://downsizedc.org/etp/tsa/|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[FreedomWorks]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.freedomworks.org/content/top-10-reasons-abolish-transportation-security-administration-tsa|title=Top 10 Reasons to Abolish the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)|date=May 11, 2012}}</ref> and opinion columnists from ''[[Forbes]],''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/artcarden/2010/11/14/full-frontal-nudity-doesnt-make-us-safer-abolish-the-tsa/|title=Full Frontal Nudity Doesn't Make Us Safer: Abolish the TSA|author=Art Carden|date=November 14, 2010|work=Forbes}}</ref> ''[[Fox News]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/congress-should-abolish-the-tsa-its-time-to-privatize-airport-screening/|title=Congress should abolish the TSA -- it's time to privatize airport screening|author=Chris Edwards|work=Fox News|date=March 9, 2015}}</ref> ''[[National Review]],''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/365365/abolish-tsa-veronique-de-rugy|title=National Review Online|author=Veronique de Rugy|website=[[National Review]]|date=December 3, 2013}}</ref> ''[[USA Today]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2013/12/02/tsa-department-homeland-security-patriot-act-column/3796127/|title=Abolish the TSA: Column|date=December 2, 2013|work=USA TODAY}}</ref> ''[[Vox (website)|Vox]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/2014/5/26/5750764/the-case-for-abolishing-the-tsa|title=The case for abolishing the TSA|author=Dylan Matthews|date=May 26, 2014|work=Vox}}</ref> ''[[The Washington Examiner]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/abolish-the-tsa/article/2543245|title=Abolish the TSA|author=Charles Hoskinson|work=Washington Examiner|date=January 31, 2014}}</ref> and ''[[The Washington Post]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2015/04/16/abolish-the-tsa/|title=Abolish the TSA|author=CJ Ciaramella|date=April 16, 2015|newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref>

The TSA's critics frequently cite the agency as "ineffective, invasive, incompetent, inexcusably costly, or all four" as their reasons for seeking its abolition.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Mann |first=Charles C. |author-link=Charles C. Mann |date=December 20, 2011 |title=Does Airport Security Really Make Us Safer? |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2011/12/tsa-insanity-201112 |journal=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |location=New York, NY |publisher=[[Condé Nast Publications]] |access-date=April 20, 2015}}</ref> Those seeking to abolish the TSA have cited the improved efficacy and cost of screening provided by qualified private companies in compliance with federal guidelines.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://archives.republicans.transportation.house.gov/Media/file/112th/Aviation/2011-06-03-TSA_SPP_Report.pdf |title=TSA Ignores More Cost-Effective Screening Model |access-date=April 20, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160907012004/http://archives.republicans.transportation.house.gov/Media/file/112th/Aviation/2011-06-03-TSA_SPP_Report.pdf |archive-date=September 7, 2016 }}</ref>