emshighway
2011-07-14, 02:36 PM
Date: July 14, 2011
From: John S. Pistole - Administrator
Subject: Media Reports About Breaches at Our Nation’s Airports
Several media organizations in the last couple of days have reported that there have been 25,000 “security breaches” at our nation’s airports since 9/11.
As you know, our goal is to report every incident as quickly and accurately as possible – no matter how minor. This reporting is critical in order to ensure that a proper investigation is conducted and issues are resolved. Thank you for your professionalism and integrity in ensuring that all incidents are brought to the attention of your leadership.
A reportable incident can take many different forms and sometimes are accidental misunderstandings by well-meaning passengers. Sometimes they occur outside our control. For instance, if someone tries to climb a perimeter fence but is caught and stopped, that is a reportable incident. If someone accidentally finds their way into a location in an airport where they shouldn't be, but is seen and directed back to where they should be – that’s also a reportable incident.
For 10 years, these and other incidents have added up to less than six per year – including lost bags – per airport. These numbers represent a tiny fraction of one percent of the more than 5.5 billion travelers at the more than 450 airports nationwide that you have screened effectively since 9/11.
I know the constant negative media attention can be disheartening especially when you are putting your all into accomplishing our critical mission. It is important that you know that TSA’s senior leadership team are working hard to support and defend your efforts across the country. In addition, TSA has staff dedicated to doing the same on Capitol Hill and in the media.
From: John S. Pistole - Administrator
Subject: Media Reports About Breaches at Our Nation’s Airports
Several media organizations in the last couple of days have reported that there have been 25,000 “security breaches” at our nation’s airports since 9/11.
As you know, our goal is to report every incident as quickly and accurately as possible – no matter how minor. This reporting is critical in order to ensure that a proper investigation is conducted and issues are resolved. Thank you for your professionalism and integrity in ensuring that all incidents are brought to the attention of your leadership.
A reportable incident can take many different forms and sometimes are accidental misunderstandings by well-meaning passengers. Sometimes they occur outside our control. For instance, if someone tries to climb a perimeter fence but is caught and stopped, that is a reportable incident. If someone accidentally finds their way into a location in an airport where they shouldn't be, but is seen and directed back to where they should be – that’s also a reportable incident.
For 10 years, these and other incidents have added up to less than six per year – including lost bags – per airport. These numbers represent a tiny fraction of one percent of the more than 5.5 billion travelers at the more than 450 airports nationwide that you have screened effectively since 9/11.
I know the constant negative media attention can be disheartening especially when you are putting your all into accomplishing our critical mission. It is important that you know that TSA’s senior leadership team are working hard to support and defend your efforts across the country. In addition, TSA has staff dedicated to doing the same on Capitol Hill and in the media.