	Background

ATSA created TSA as an agency within the Department of Transportation  (DOT) to ensure security for all modes of transportation, to include  aviation. Recurrent and Supervisory Training Programs Not Fully Developed

TSA developed basic and remedial screener training programs, but has not  fully developed or deployed a recurrent or supervisory training program to  ensure that screeners are effectively trained and supervised. Comprehensive and frequent training is key to passenger screeners’ ability  to detect threat objects. Recurrent Training

TSA has not fully developed or deployed a recurrent training program, but  has recognized that ongoing training of screeners on a frequent basis is  critical to maintaining and enhancing screener skills. As a result of the task force’s suggestions,  TSA is developing six recurrent training modules—the first of which TSA  plans to deploy to all airports beginning in October 2003. FSDs and TSA headquarters officials  recognize the need to enhance the skills of screening supervisors through  supervisory training.TSA is currently working with USDA to tailor its off- the-shelf supervisory course to the specific needs of TSA’s screening  supervisors. Little Information Exists to Measure Screeners’ Performance in Detecting Threat Objects

Currently, the results of TSA’s OIAPR’s operational, or covert, testing is  the only indication of screener performance in detecting threat objects. In addition to conducting operational testing, TSA  plans to fully activate the Threat Image Projection system and implement a  screener certification program in October 2003 to collect additional  information on screener performance. TSA does not view the results of OIAPR’s  covert testing as a measure of screener performance, but rather a  “snapshot” of a screener’s ability to detect threat objects at a particular  point in time and as an indicator of systemwide screener performance. TIP places images of  threat objects on x-ray screens during actual operations and records  whether screeners identify the threat object. Screener Performance Improvement Study

TSA is taking steps to improve screener performance. An Assessment of the Contract Screening Pilot Program Has Not Yet Begun

TSA has implemented a pilot program using contract screeners at  5 airports, but has not determined how to evaluate and measure the  performance of the pilot program airports. The purpose of the 2-year pilot  program is to determine the feasibility of using private screening  companies rather than federal screeners. While TSA has not yet determined how to evaluate and measure the  performance of the pilot program airports, it plans to award a contract by  October 1, 2003, to compare the performance of pilot screeners with  federal screeners and determine the reasons for any differences. Although ATSA allows airports to apply to opt-out of using federal  screeners beginning in November 2004, TSA has not begun to plan for the  possible transition of airports from a federal system to a private screening  company. Airports Council International officials said that numerous  airports have contacted them expressing an interest in obtaining more  information to assist in their decision regarding opting-out. We  plan to review TSA’s efforts to determine appropriate staffing levels for  passenger screeners during the remainder of our evaluation.
Why GAO Did This Study

Passenger screening is critical to the security of our nation's aviation system, particularly in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is tasked with securing all modes of transportation, including the screening of airline passengers. TSA has met numerous requirements in this regard, such as deploying more than 50,000 federal screeners at over 440 commercial airports nationwide. To determine whether TSA's passenger screening program is achieving its intended results, GAO is conducting an ongoing evaluation of TSA's efforts to (1) ensure that passenger screeners are effectively trained and supervised, (2) measure screener performance in detecting threat objects, and (3) implement and evaluate the contract screening pilot program.

What GAO Found

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) was tasked with the tremendous challenge of building a large federal agency responsible for securing all modes of transportation, while simultaneously meeting ambitious deadlines to enhance the security of the nation's aviation system. Although TSA has made significant progress related to its passenger screening program, challenges remain. TSA recognized that ongoing training of screeners on a frequent basis, and effective supervisory training, is critical to maintaining and enhancing skills. However, TSA has not fully developed or deployed recurrent or supervisory training programs. Although TSA has not yet deployed these programs, it has taken steps in establishing recurrent and supervisory training, including developing six recurrent training modules that will soon be deployed to all airports, as well as working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Graduate School to tailor its off-the-shelf supervisory course to the specific training needs of TSA's screening supervisors. TSA currently collects little information regarding screener performance in detecting threat objects. The primary source of information collected on screener's ability to detect threat objects is covert testing conducted by TSA's Office of Internal Affairs and Program Review. However, TSA does not consider the results of these tests as a measure of screener performance, but rather a "snapshot" of a screener's ability to detect threat objects at a particular point in time. Additionally, TSA does not currently use the Threat Image Projection system, which places images of threat objects on x-ray screens during actual operations and records whether screeners identify the threat. However, TSA plans to fully activate the Threat Image Projection system with significantly more threat images than previously used, as well as implement an annual screener certification program in October 2003. TSA also recently completed a screener performance improvement study and is taking steps to address the deficiencies identified during the study. As required by the Aviation and Transportation Security Act, TSA implemented a pilot program using contract screeners in lieu of federal screeners at 5 commercial airports. However, TSA has not yet determined how to evaluate and measure the performance of the pilot program airports, or prepare for airports potentially applying to opt-out of using federal screeners, as allowed by the act, beginning in November 2004. Although TSA has not begun evaluating the performance of the pilot program airports, it plans to award a contract by October 1, 2003, to compare the performance of pilot screeners with federal screeners and determine the reasons for any differences. Numerous airport operators have contacted TSA to express an interest in obtaining more information to assist in their decision regarding opting-out of using federal screeners.