Many of you are asking about the news involving an individual who made it through two different checkpoints, apparently using another passenger's outdated boarding pass. First, it’s important to point out that our approach is designed so we don’t depend on any single layer of security. Together, the 21 different layers provide a strong, formidable system that gives us the best chance to detect and prevent attacks before they occur. Every day we screen nearly 2 million passengers and utilize many layers of security to keep our nation's transportation systems secure.
Additionally, TSA has begun lab testing of technology systems that will verify passenger boarding passes and IDs in order to make travel safer for all passengers, and we anticipate purchasing a limited number of systems for deployment beginning this fall. More to come on that in the coming months…
With regards to this incident, due to the ongoing FBI investigation, we're extremely limited in what we can say – but I can tell you that every passenger that passes through security checkpoints is subject to many layers of security including thorough physical screening.
In this case, TSA did not properly authenticate the passenger’s documentation. That said, it’s important to note that this individual received the same thorough physical screening as other passengers, including being screened by advanced imaging technology (body scanner). As we continue to review this particular matter, disciplinary action is being considered for the security officers involved and all appropriate actions will be taken.
Blogger Bob
TSA Blog Team
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