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2012 Archives

21 December 2012

Pan Am Flight 103 Memorial Service, Arlington National Cemetery

Press Release

Good afternoon. It is an honor to be with you today. For the families who have once again come together on this small piece of sacred ground, thank you for allowing us to join you. This date – the twenty-first of December – will forever connect us; one to another and each to the silent stone memorial behind me.

Our words can do little to repair the damage caused by such a callous and cowardly act of terrorism, but we offer them with hope. We offer them as a tribute to each of the 270 lives cut short, as a way to help carry their lives forward as we continue living ours. Our world is strengthened and fortified whenever loved ones lost are remembered in unison.

19 December 2012

TSA Pre✓™ Now Available at 35 Airports Nationwide: Expedited Screening Begins at John Wayne Airport

Press Release

WASHINGTON – The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) today announced that John Wayne Airport (SNA) is the 35th airport in the nation to offer TSA Pre✓™ to eligible passengers. Under TSA Pre✓™ U.S. citizens traveling domestically who are select Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and US Airways frequent travelers or members of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Traveler programs are now eligible to participate and may receive expedited screening benefits.

18 December 2012

TSA to Conduct an Independent Study with National Academy of Sciences on Backscatter X-ray Advanced Imaging Technology

In The News

In November 2011, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator John. S. Pistole made a commitment at the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing to conduct an independent study on the effects of backscatter Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT). TSA is working to deliver on that commitment and a contract will be awarded to the National Academy of Sciences to further understand the effects of backscatter X-ray AIT. TSA’s statement is as follows:

12 December 2012

No-Hassle Flying Act of 2012 (S.3542)

In The News

The U.S. House of Representatives today passed TSA supported legislation that would enable the Transportation Security Administration to waive re-screening of checked bags on connecting domestic flights originating from select international airports. The bill now will go to President Obama for his signature. The Senate passed their bill in November. TSA's response below:

12 December 2012

TSA Pre✓™ Begins at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport

Press Release

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.  – The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) today announced the expansion of TSA Pre✓™ operations to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). Under TSA Pre✓™ U.S. citizens traveling domestically who are select Delta Air Lines frequent travelers or members of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Traveler programs, are now eligible to participate and may receive expedited screening benefits. The TSA Pre✓™ lane is located in Terminal 2 at the East Checkpoint.

11 December 2012

TSA Screening Procedures

In The News

TSA screening procedures are governed by federal law and designed primarily to detect threats to aviation security. TSA officers do not specifically search for illegal drugs. If an officer discovers an item that may violate the law during security screening, even in states where marijuana is legal, TSA will refer the matter to law enforcement to make a determination on how to proceed.

The new states laws have not changed any procedures for TSA.

11 December 2012

Remarks Prepared for Delivery TSA Deputy Administrator John W. Halinski 6th Annual SARMA Conference, Arlington, VA

Speech

Good morning.  Thank you, Phil (Lacombe), for the kind introduction, and thank you all for inviting me to help open the conference.  Given the delay caused by last month’s devastating storm, I am pleased to see so many of you were able to adjust your schedules to be here today.  Before I get started I would also like to thank Kerry Thomas and everyone at SARMA for helping build the strong relationship our two organizations enjoy. When it comes to advancing matters of national security, cooperation and collaboration are vital.

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