US to Enhance Screening of All Airport-Based Employees

US Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson announced that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will conduct criminal history background checks for all aviation workers and will increase the number of random employee screenings throughout the day.

 

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will strengthen the vetting of aviation workers at US airports in order to reduce potential security vulnerabilities, US Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said on Monday.

“I am announcing that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will take additional steps to address the potential insider threat vulnerability at US airports,” Johnson said in a statement.

Under the new enhanced security practices, TSA will conduct criminal history background checks for all aviation workers and will increase the number of random employee screenings throughout the day.

Moreover, all airport and airline employees traveling as passengers will be screened prior to travel, according to the statement.

“I have also directed TSA to continue analyzing the recommendations of the ASAC [Aviation Security Advisory Committee] report, and identify additional mitigating measures for future implementation,” Johnson added.

The ASAC is TSA’s advisory committee that provides recommendations for improving aviation security methods, equipment and procedures.

The new measures follow ASAC conducting a 90-day comprehensive review, according to the statement.

Johnson ordered the review after the December 2014 incident at the Atlanta, Georgia Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, when US federal agents uncovered that an airline employee was involved in a gun smuggling operation.