8/9/23
Today, our guest speaker was George Prescott from the TSA.
The mission of the TSA is to protect the nation's transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce. TSA is an agency of the Department of Homeland Security that has authority over the security of transportation systems within, and connecting to the United States. It was created as a response to the 9/11/2001 terrorist attacks to improve airport security procedures and consolidate air travel security under a dedicated federal agency.
While the TSA's primary focus is on the prevention of aircraft hijacking (including air cargo aircraft), its responsibilities extend to our highways, railroads, buses, mass transit systems, ports, pipelines, and intermodal freight facilities. It fulfills this mission in conjunction with other federal, state, and local agencies. It is responsible for screening passengers and baggage at more than 450 U.S. airports, employing screening officers in airports, armed Federal Air Marshalls on planes, mobile teams of dog handlers, and explosives specialists.
Things you may not know:
- For frequent air travelers, he recommends the PreCheck program (as well as the Global Entry program for international travelers) to expedite clearance in airports.
- At the Illinois airports there annually are some 50 loaded handguns found in carry-on luggage.
- Pilots are encouraged to be armed.
- Dogs are great snifters for explosives.
- TSA employees do not have arrest authority.
- Non-medical drugs in luggage: if it is illegal locally, TSA will notify airport or local law enforcement, and detain offenders. If it is legal locally, they will force you to dispose of it because it is still illegal federally.
TSA has a very informative website: https://www.tsa.gov/
