There’s been a bunch written of late about the Transportation Security Administration’s recent announcement that it’s moving toward “risk-based” security – focusing resources to home in on the real bad actors out there, while “improv[ing] the passenger experience at security checkpoints.”
Among the most ballyhooed benefits might eventually be the ability for some “pre-screened” fliers to keep their shoes on, to pass less impeded though security. Four years ago this reporter spoke with the then chief technology officer for TSA. The official’s conclusion: “don’t-break-stride” security lanes could be close at hand. Less hassle, less intrusiveness.
Four years later, and it still hasn’t happened.
One well-known critic of the present set-up is aviation and travel observer Mike Boyd, president of Colorado-based Boyd Group International. His take on TSA’s announcement? “To make a comment that they are moving toward risk-based security shows what a failure the TSA has been. [Real] security is risk-based. That’s the difference between security and willy-nilly screening…To come up with this now and say, ‘We’re moving to risk-based,’ it says, ‘Good grief, for the last ten years you’ve wasted our time.’”
Boyd contends the aim should be to determine “What is the risk tomorrow?” and whether “we have risk mitigation? We’ve done none of that. All we’ve done is look for your toothpaste.”
While critical of the TSA bureaucracy, Boyd is supportive of the people on the front line, those manning the screening checkpoints. “I have to give them accolades,” he says. “The people they’ve hired to do that screening, by and large, are the nicest people you’ll find at any airport. They put airlines to shame when it comes to customer service.”
One way TSA hopes to improve service, and become more efficient in the process, is by deploying Behavior Detection Officers, or BDOs on a pilot basis. TSA writes, “The vast majority of passengers at the pilot checkpoints will experience a ‘casual greeting’ conversation with a Behavior Detection Officer…as they go through identity verification.” The idea here is to see whether a passenger should be subject to more screening. This is one of TSA’s cornerstone “risk-based” techniques.
Whether or not it works to better ferret out the bad guys, while easing security for the rest of us, remains to be seen. What do you think?
Will risk-based screening work? Is TSA committed to the idea? Tell us your thoughts.
Story by Jerry Chandler
(Image: Inha Leex Hale)
