Editing Transportation Security Administration (section)

==Operations==
{{over-quotation|section|date=November 2018}}
The center for operations is located at the [[Freedom Center (TSA)|Freedom Center]] in [[Herndon, Virginia]], and was built in 2003.<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2019 |title=Request for Information (RFI) Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Services at the TSA Systems Integration Facility (TSIF) and Freedom Center |url=https://imlive.s3.amazonaws.com/Federal%20Government/ID99007088778006739321755400249590203219/RFI_-_OM_Services.pdf |access-date=January 22, 2025 |website=www.tsa.gov |publisher=Transportation Security Administration |quote=The Freedom Center is housed in Herndon, VA and consists of 104,014 rentable / 103,502 usable (BOMA) sq. ft. in a single story building. The Freedom Center (FC) was established in response to the direction provided by the National Strategy for Combating Terrorism, as part of the President’s Management Strategy. The Freedom Center became operational in July 2003 and serves as the 24 hours a day/7 days a week coordination center for transportation security- related operations, incidents, or crises for TSA within the Department of Homeland Security.}}</ref>

=== Finances ===
For fiscal year 2020, the TSA had a budget of roughly $7.68 billion.<ref name=FY-2020-budget>{{cite web |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-116publ93/pdf/PLAW-116publ93.pdf |title=Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=December 20, 2019 |website=govinfo.gov |publisher=[[United States Government Printing Office]] |access-date=December 31, 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104023613/https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-116publ93/pdf/PLAW-116publ93.pdf |archive-date=November 4, 2020 |quote=For necessary expenses of the Transportation Security Administration for operations and support, $7,680,565,000, to remain available until September 30, 2021}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Budget<ref name=FY-2020-budget />
! $ Million
! Share
|- align="RIGHT"
| align="left" |Operations and Support
| 4,850
| 63%
|- align="RIGHT"
| align="left" |Procurement, Construction, and Improvements
| 110
| 1.4%
|- align="RIGHT"
| align="left" |Research and Development
| 23
| 0.3%
|- align="RIGHT"
| align="left" |Not specified
| 2,697
| 35%
|- align="RIGHT"
| align="left" |'''Total'''
| 7,680
| 100%
|}

Part of the TSA budget comes from a $5.60 per-passenger fee, also known as the [[September 11 attacks|September 11]] Security Fee, for each one-way air-travel trip originating in the United States, not to exceed $11.20 per round-trip. In 2020, this passenger fee totaled $2.4 billion or roughly 32% of the budget allocated by Congress that year.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tsa.gov/for-industry/security-fees |title=Security Fees - Transportation Security Administration |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=www.tsa.gov |publisher=Transportation Security Administration |access-date=December 31, 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201223224501/https://www.tsa.gov/for-industry/security-fees |archive-date=December 23, 2020 |quote=The Passenger Fee, also known as the September 11 Security Fee, is collected by air carriers from passengers at the time air transportation is purchased.  Air carriers then remit the fees to TSA. The fee is currently $5.60 per one-way trip in air transportation that originates at an airport in the U.S., except that the fee imposed per round trip shall not exceed $11.20. Passenger Fee Fiscal Year 2020 Total Collection $2,456,587,000}}</ref>

Additionally, a small portion of TSA's budget comes from the loose change and small denomination cash left behind by travelers at airport security checkpoints, which TSA has been allowed to retain since 2005 under Section 44945 of title 49, United States Code. From FY 2008 through FY 2018, a total of $6,904,035.98 has been left behind, including a record $960,105.49 in FY 2018.<ref>{{cite book |last=Gayden |first=Greg |date=2017 |title=Commercial Aviation 101|url=http://www.dfwtower.com/101/CommercialAviation101.pdf |location=Dallas |publisher=443 Critical |page=43 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108092337/http://www.dfwtower.com/101/CommercialAviation101.pdf |archive-date=November 8, 2020}}
</ref> In fiscal year 2019, $926,030.44 was unclaimed.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tsa.gov/sites/default/files/loose-chanage-report-2019-3.18.20.pdf |title=Unclaimed Money at Airports in Fiscal Year 2019 |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=March 18, 2020 |website=www.tsa.gov |publisher=Transportation Security Administration |access-date=December 31, 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120174240/https://www.tsa.gov/sites/default/files/loose-chanage-report-2019-3.18.20.pdf |archive-date=November 20, 2020 |quote=In FY 2019, TSA collected $926,030.44. On September 30, 2019, TSA had a total of $3,618,696 in resources remaining from unclaimed money collected in FY 2019 and prior years. Of this, TSA has: Obligated $2,100,000 for training and development, of which $996,475.51 was expended during the year, and Spent $32,150 from prior-year obligations on printing and distributing bookmarks at checkpoints nationwide to publicize the TSA Pre✓® program.}}</ref>

=== Airport screening ===
Private screening did not disappear entirely under the TSA, which allows airports to opt-out of the federal screening and hire firms to do the job instead. Such firms must still get TSA approval under its [[Screening Partnership Program]] (SPP) and follow TSA procedures.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://content.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1228247,00.html |title=An Airport Screener's Complaint |author=Greg Fulton |date=August 17, 2006 |access-date=November 19, 2010 |website=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226000315/https://content.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1228247,00.html |archive-date=February 26, 2020}}</ref> Among the handful of U.S. airports with privately operated checkpoints are [[San Francisco International Airport]], [[Kansas City International Airport]], [[Greater Rochester International Airport]], [[Tupelo Regional Airport]], [[Key West International Airport]], and [[Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dot.gov/affairs/tsa2902.htm |title=TSA Announces Private Security Screening Pilot Program |author=TSA press release |date=June 18, 2002 |publisher=[[United States Department of Transportation]] |access-date=December 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050904192312/http://www.dot.gov/affairs/tsa2902.htm |archive-date=September 4, 2005 |url-status=dead |quote=The Aviation and Transportation Security Act, Section 108, requires TSA to establish the pilot program.  The Act requires that the private screening company be owned and controlled by a citizen of the United States.  The Act also sets forth the provision that TSA may terminate any contract entered into with a private screening company that has repeatedly failed to comply with any standard, regulation, directive, order, law, or contract applicable to hiring or training personnel or to the provision of screening at the airport.  Also, contractors are required to meet the same employment standards and requirements as federal security screeners.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tsa.gov/press/releases/2007/press_release_01042007.shtm |title=TSA Awards Private Screening Contract to US Helicopter and McNeil Security Under Screening Partnership Program |author=TSA press release |date=January 4, 2007 |website=www.tsa.gov |publisher=Transportation Security Administration |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120916061700/http://www.tsa.gov/press/releases/2007/press_release_01042007.shtm |archive-date=September 16, 2012 |url-status=dead |quote=Under today's unique three-party contract, US Helicopter agreed to provide for and fund all screening personnel at the East 34th Street facility through a contract negotiated with McNeil Security.  TSA will provide security oversight and certified screening equipment to ensure that passengers, their accessible property, and checked baggage are thoroughly screened for explosives and other dangerous items before departure.  TSA has enacted a Heliport Security Plan, which will ensure that the East 34th Street Heliport, like the Wall Street facility, adheres to all TSA regulatory requirements and applicable security directives.}}</ref>
However, the bulk of airport screening in the U.S. is done by the TSA's 46,661 (as of FY 2018) Transportation Security Officers (TSOs).
<ref name=Gayden-Commercial-Aviation-101>{{cite book |last=Gayden |first=Greg |date=2017 |title=Commercial Aviation 101 |url=http://www.dfwtower.com/101/CommercialAviation101.pdf |location=Dallas |publisher=443 Critical |page=16 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108092337/http://www.dfwtower.com/101/CommercialAviation101.pdf |archive-date=November 8, 2020}}</ref> They examine passengers and their baggage, and perform other security duties within airports, including controlling entry and exit points, and monitoring the areas near their checkpoints.

=== 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>
}}

===Uniforms===
In 2008, TSA officers began wearing new uniforms that have a [[royal blue]] duty shirt, dark blue (almost black) pants, and black belt.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tsa.gov/assets/pdf/foia/TSA_MD_1100_73_2_FINAL_070621.pdf |title=TSA Management Directive No. 1100.73-2 – TSO Dress and Appearance Responsibilities |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=June 21, 2007 |website=www.tsa.gov |publisher=Transportation Security Administration |access-date=May 26, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322224740/http://www.tsa.gov/assets/pdf/foia/TSA_MD_1100_73_2_FINAL_070621.pdf |archive-date=March 22, 2012}}</ref> The first airport to introduce the new uniforms was [[Baltimore-Washington International Airport]]. Starting on September 11, 2008, all TSOs began wearing the new uniform. One stripe on the outer edge of each [[shoulder board]] denotes a TSO, two stripes a Lead TSO, and three a Supervisory TSO.

Officers are issued badges and shoulder boards after completing a trainee period including 3-week academy at the [[Federal Law Enforcement Training Center]] (FLETC) in [[Glynco, Georgia]].

[[File:TSO Shoulder Boards.jpg|thumb|129x129px|A Transportation Security Officer shoulder board]]

=== Personnel system and pay ===
The personnel system used by TSA was originally based on the FAA's personnel system.<ref>{{USCSub|49|114|n}}</ref>

Unlike a majority of the federal government, TSA employees are not on the [[General Schedule]] pay system. Instead, a [[pay band]] system with performance-based increases was used.

In June 2021, Secretary of Homeland Security [[Alejandro Mayorkas]] issued a memorandum which directed the TSA Administrator among other items to pay employees "at a level that is no less than that of their counterparts on the General Schedule pay scale." It also directed that TSOs be offered expanded [[collective bargaining]] rights mirroring [[Title 5 of the United States Code]], and appeals of adverse actions to the [[Merit Systems Protection Board]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ogrysko |first1=Nicole |title=Biden administration orders TSA to expand union rights, explore pay reform for screeners|url=https://federalnewsnetwork.com/workforce/2021/06/biden-administration-orders-tsa-to-expand-union-rights-explore-pay-reform-for-screeners/ |website=federalnewsnetwork.com |publisher=Federal News Network |access-date=7 September 2024 |date=3 June 2021}}</ref>

In July 2023, a new pay system mirroring the General Schedule was introduced following appropriations made by the [[Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023]]. For TSOs, the career ladder begins at the D band and progresses to F band. Lead TSOs and supervisory TSOs are at the F and G band levels.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Doubleday |first1=Justin |title='Long overdue' TSA pay raises bring salaries in line with rest of federal workforce |url=https://federalnewsnetwork.com/pay/2023/07/long-overdue-tsa-pay-raises-bring-salaries-in-line-with-rest-of-federal-workforce/ |website=federalnewsnetwork.com |publisher=Federal News Network |access-date=7 September 2024 |date=27 July 2023}}</ref> Career ladders are also being worked on for non-TSOs.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Friedman |first1=Drew |title=TSA looking beyond 'honeymoon phase' for frontline workforce |url=https://federalnewsnetwork.com/workforce/2024/07/tsa-looking-beyond-honeymoon-phase-for-frontline-workforce/ |website=federalnewsnetwork.com |publisher=Federal News Network |access-date=7 September 2024 |date=8 July 2024}}</ref>

In 2011, former Administrator John Pistole granted limited collective bargaining rights to Transportation Security Officers following a union election between two federal employee unions, the [[American Federation of Government Employees]] and the [[National Treasury Employees Union]].<ref>{{cite web |title=TSA workers granted collective bargaining rights |url=https://federalnewsnetwork.com/budget/2011/02/tsa-workers-granted-collective-bargaining-rights/ |website=federalnewsnetwork.com |publisher=Federal News Network |access-date=7 September 2024 |date=4 February 2011}}</ref> In May 2024, an expanded collective bargaining agreement with a 7-year term was signed between TSA and AFGE.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Friedman |first1=Drew |title=TSA, AFGE aim to expand workforce options in new 7-year contract |url=https://federalnewsnetwork.com/unions/2024/03/tsa-afge-aim-to-expand-workforce-options-in-new-7-year-contract/ |website=federalnewsnetwork.com |publisher=Federal News Network |access-date=7 September 2024 |date=12 March 2024}}</ref>

In February 2025, Secretary of Homeland Security [[Kristi Noem]] issued a memorandum that cancelled the 2024 collective bargaining agreement. AFGE called it a "retaliatory action" for challenging President [[Donald Trump]]'s [[2025 United States federal mass layoffs|mass layoffs of the federal workforce]] and vowed to fight it.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Santana |first1=Rebecca |last2=Sisak |first2=Michael |title=Homeland Security ends TSA collective bargaining agreement, in effort to dismantle union protections |url=https://apnews.com/article/collective-bargaining-agreement-tsa-homeland-security-e3eb1d5e0ae8e1b4a6fdb87cd7f6bd39 |website=AP News |publisher=Associated Press |language=en |date=7 March 2025}}</ref>

===Incidents===
====2013 Los Angeles airport shooting====
{{main|2013 Los Angeles International Airport shooting}}
On Friday, November 1, 2013, TSA officer Gerardo I. Hernandez, age 39, was shot and killed by a lone gunman at the Los Angeles International Airport. Law enforcement officials identified the suspect as 23-year-old Paul Anthony Ciancia, who was shot and wounded by law enforcement officers before being taken into custody.<ref>{{cite news |title=LAX shooting: Slain TSA Officer identified as Gerardo I. Hernandez |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-lax-shooting-slain-tsa-agent-identified-as-gerardo-i-hernandez-20131101-story.html |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date=November 2, 2013 |first1=Brian |last1=Bennett |first2=Richard |last2=Winton |first3=Scott |last3=Gold |date=November 1, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140817095700/http://articles.latimes.com/2013/nov/01/local/la-me-ln-lax-shooting-slain-tsa-agent-identified-as-gerardo-i-hernandez-20131101 |archive-date=August 17, 2014}}</ref> Ciancia was wearing fatigues and carrying a bag containing a hand-written note that said he "wanted to kill TSA and pigs". Hernandez was the first TSA officer to be killed in the line of duty.<ref>{{cite news |last=Jansen |first=Bart |date=November 1, 2013 |title=TSA workers mourn first death on duty |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/news/2013/11/01/tsa-mourning-lax-shooting/3360655/ |url-status=live |work=[[USA Today]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025140500/https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/news/2013/11/01/tsa-mourning-lax-shooting/3360655/ |archive-date=October 25, 2020 |access-date=December 31, 2020}}</ref>

====2015 New Orleans airport attack====
On March 21, 2015, 63-year-old Richard White entered the [[Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport]] armed with six [[Molotov cocktail]]s, a gasoline lighter, and a [[machete]]. White began assaulting passengers and Transportation Security Administration officers by spraying them with a can of wasp killer, then started swinging his machete. A TSA agent blocked the machete with a piece of luggage, as White ran through a metal detector. A [[Jefferson Parish, Louisiana|Jefferson Parish]] deputy sheriff shot and killed White as he was chasing a TSA officer with his machete.<ref name="USAToday">{{cite news |last=Toppo |first=Greg |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/03/21/new-orleans-airport-attack-scene/25136201/ |title=New Orleans airport machete suspect is dead |work=[[USA Today]] |date=March 21, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707192745/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/03/21/new-orleans-airport-attack-scene/25136201/ |archive-date=July 7, 2017 |access-date=September 17, 2017 }}</ref>

==== COVID-19 pandemic in the United States ====
TSA continued working throughout the [[2020 coronavirus pandemic in the United States|COVID-19 pandemic in the United States]]. As of December 31, 2020, TSA cumulatively had 4,978 federal employees test positive for [[Coronavirus disease 2019|COVID-19]]: 4,219 of those employees recovered, and 12 died as a result of the virus.<ref name="tsa-covid">{{cite web |url=https://www.tsa.gov/coronavirus/ |title=Coronavirus (COVID-19) information |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=December 31, 2020 |website=tsa.gov/ |quote=TSA has cumulatively had 4,978 federal employees test positive for COVID-19. 4,219 employees have recovered, and 12 have unfortunately died after contracting the virus. We have also been notified that one screening contractor has passed away due to the virus |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424164020/https://www.tsa.gov/coronavirus/ |archive-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref>