by Donald Wood
Last updated: 11:30 AM ET, Thu November 9, 2017
The Transportation Security Administration is under heavy scrutiny after officers working at airports across the United States reportedly failed to detect 80 percent of the test weapons smuggled through security checkpoints.
According to NBCNews.com, the Department of Homeland Security sent undercover inspectors through several U.S. airports to review the performance of TSA officers, the screening equipment and their procedures.
Homeland Security was trying to find the vulnerabilities at security checkpoints, and the report claims TSA agents only discovered and stopped the smuggling of 20 percent of the unpermitted items inspectors attempted to get past them.
The results of the tests were leaked following a House Committee meeting on Homeland Security Wednesday. Members of Congress blasted the TSA for the continued failures and called the results "disturbing."
According to ABCNews.com, government officials have offered at least eight recommendations to the TSA to improve checkpoint security, but no details were provided about which specific measures would be taken to improve.
The most recent tests come two years after former TSA administrator Melvin Carraway was replaced due to undercover Homeland Security agents successfully smuggling more than 95 percent of explosives, weapons and other banned items past screeners.
As a result of the failed tests, lawmakers are pushing for new scanner equipment and tighter security measures from the TSA. The agency has started testing some of the new procedures already, but it has yet to install the innovative products at airports across the country due to software and installation problems.
"We take the OIG's findings very seriously and are implementing measures that will improve screening effectiveness at checkpoints," TSA administrator David Pekoske told ABC News. "We are focused on staying ahead of a dynamic threat to aviation with continued investment in the workforce, enhanced procedures and new technologies."
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
