We’re vetting aviation workers

As we approach the busiest holiday travel season in recent history, I assure the public that the Transportation Security Administration ( TSA) is taking every measure to protect the millions of air travelers and our aviation system.

Recently, several news media reports have included inaccurate accounts of how TSA assesses aviation security at our airports in the vetting of airport and airline workers. TSA has long recognized the importance of vetting airport workers and flight crews, among others. In fact, TSA vets millions of transportation workers daily, including aviation workers who have access to secure areas of airports and airplanes.

Earlier this year, a Department of Homeland Security inspector general report stated that 73 airport workers vetted by TSA should have been flagged for having ties to known or suspected terrorists. After review, in collaboration with the FBI, TSA determined that none of the vetted individuals met the standards for watchlisting and are not known or suspected terrorists.

That same report points out that TSA does have access to government watchlists, as well as the government databases used by our intelligence community in identifying threats to our nation. We continue to work with other federal government agencies to improve the effectiveness by which we access this information. Airport operators also play a crucial part in ensuring the integrity of their workforce.

Using the government’s Terrorist Screening Database, TSA continuously vets individuals from their initial airport application throughout the time they have airport access. We receive a real- time feed of this information from the Terrorist Screening Center. We know instantly when a person has been added or when his or her status has changed. These workers also are subject to immigration and criminal checks. Suggestions to the contrary are inaccurate.

The world remains a dangerous place with terrorists intent on doing harm to the American people, demanding our continued vigilance in keeping the traveling public safe. At TSA, that is our core mission.