by Donald Wood
Last updated: 10:20 AM ET, Mon July 8, 2024
Update: July 9, 2024, at 8:05 a.m. ET
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas
released the following statement following yesterday’s record three million
passenger screenings by the Transportation Security Administration.
“Yesterday, for the first time since its founding in
November 2001, Transportation Security Administration officers screened more
than three million travelers on a single day at airports across the country. It
was an extraordinary achievement: TSA fully, unerringly, and efficiently
checked 35 passengers every second, along with all their luggage and carry-on
baggage, while demonstrating unwavering professionalism and respect for
travelers during the intensely busy holiday weekend. Congratulations to the entire
TSA workforce and Administrator David Pekoske.”
“Every day, the men and women of TSA enable millions of
travelers to reach their destinations safely and securely. Yet, for decades, TSA officers received less
pay for their service than their government counterparts did. One year ago, our
Department, together with our partners in Congress, finally ended this
injustice and secured long-overdue pay fairness. Its impact is already evident:
In just the last year, TSA workforce attrition has been cut in half, recruitment
rates are rising, and surveys report improved morale and job satisfaction
across the agency.”
“Now, with record-breaking travel spurred by our nation’s
strong economy expected to continue in the months ahead, it is imperative that
Congress ensure pay fairness for TSA permanently. It is the smart thing to do
for everyone who depends on TSA to keep our skies and our country safe, and it
is the right thing to do for these great public servants.”
Original Text
The busy Independence Day holiday travel period has come to
a close, but not before the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) set a
new record for the number of travelers screened in a single day.
TSA officials revealed that security officers screened a record
3,013,413 people at checkpoints around the United States on Sunday, July 7. On
the same date the previous year, agents only screened 2,644,639 people.
Sunday’s stunning total surpassed the previous record set of
2,996,193 on June 23, 2024.
“If you flew yesterday, congratulations as you were part of TSA
history,” TSA Spokesperson Lisa Farbstein said on Twitter. “For the first time
ever in TSA’s 22 years, more than three million travelers were screened at
checkpoints nationwide.”
“Yep, we hit a milestone and it was one for the record books,”
Farbstein continued.
“We expect this summer to be our busiest ever and summer
travel usually peaks over the Independence Day holiday,” TSA
Administrator David Pekoske said earlier this month.
“Compared to last year, we have cut our attrition rates by
almost half and increased our recruiting as a result of the TSA Compensation
Plan that was funded in the budget passed by Congress and signed into law by
President Biden,” Pekoske continued.
Last week, the TSA
expanded its PreCheck program to include four new global airlines: Aer
Lingus, Air New Zealand, Ethiopian Airlines and Saudia. With this addition, almost
100 carriers participate in the expedited screening program, offering travelers
a faster and more efficient airport security experience.
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