TSA Tips Off Screeners To "Undercover" FAA/DOT Test

[Matt Molnar]

TSA thwarts government check on airport screeners

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Transportation Security Administration touts its programs to ensure security by using undercover operatives to test its airport screeners. In one instance, however, the agency thwarted such a test by alerting screeners across the country that it was under way, even providing descriptions of the undercover agents.

The government routinely runs covert tests at airports to ensure that security measures in place are sufficient to stop a terrorist from bringing something dangerous onto an airplane. Alerting screeners when the undercover officer is coming through and what the person looks like would defeat the purpose.

But that's exactly what happened on April 28, 2006, according to an e-mail from a top TSA official who oversees security operations. More...

[emshighway]

If you read the story the email was sent to the FSDs. FSDs are notified of the presence of Red Teams and results. They do not advise the screening staff. The security staff mentioned at the time were not TSA staff but airline contracted ticket checkers (which are now being replaced by TSA).

This story is nothing but sensationalizing a non issue.