The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is responsible for screening all checked baggage in U.S. airports for explosives and has deployed explosive detection systems and developed standard procedures for their use. TSA also allows alternative screening procedures to be used for short-term, special circumstances. This report addresses (1) how TSA prioritized the use of checked baggage screening procedures and identified trade-offs in security effectiveness and operational efficiencies; (2) how TSA reported use of the procedures and ensured that standard procedures are used whenever possible; and (3) what steps TSA took to reduce airports' need to use alternative screening procedures and to establish performance measures to monitor their use. To address these issues, GAO interviewed TSA officials, reviewed information from TSA's database on checked baggage screening operations; and conducted airport site visits.


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    Title :

    Aviation Security: TSA Oversight of Checked Baggage Screening Procedures Could Be Strengthened


    Publication date :

    2006


    Size :

    58 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English