GovernmentExecutive.com

Transportation Security Administration officials said Monday that they will increase baggage inspections, but do not plan to hire additional workers to conduct them.

"We're fine where we are," said TSA Assistant Secretary Kip Hawley when asked if more staff would be needed. "We are continuing to make efficiency gains."

Hawley estimated that about 20 percent of carry-on bags are physically inspected after being screened via various technologies, but did not say how much that would increase. In an effort to better protect travelers against liquid explosives in response to the plot to bomb U.S.-bound airliners foiled in August, TSA also is trying out new detection machines.

"We have ordered additional prototype machines," Hawley said. He did not comment when asked how many machines were ordered. A TSA spokesman did not respond to requests for information.

Lawmakers have been critical of TSA's explosives detection machines in general and of contracts to companies providing them; Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., called failure rates "potentially disastrous" and claimed the agency is overpaying contractors.

The announcements on Monday regarding inspections and explosives detection came as officials made another proclamation that will come as a relief to travelers: TSA is easing its ban on liquids, aerosols and gels that can be taken aboard aircraft.

Beginning Tuesday, small, travel-size toiletries with three ounces or less of liquids or gels will be permitted in carry-on luggage, provided they can collectively fit into a plastic bag that is roughly the size of a sandwich bag.

In addition, travelers will be allowed to carry beverages on board if they purchase the drinks after passing through the security checkpoint.

"A total ban is no longer needed [on liquids in carry-on luggage], from a security point of view," Hawley said.

The decision ease the restriction came after explosives tests were run in collaboration with the FBI that showed three-ounce containers would pose no threat to planes and passengers. U.S. government officials conferred with intelligence officers from the United Kingdom as well, before concluding that the ban on liquids and gels could be relaxed. The Canadian government will make a similar switch to its air travel policy, DHS Deputy Secretary Michael Jackson said.

Jackson said travelers should not consider the threat level against aircraft to be diminished, however. "We are not talking about changing our threat level," which is orange, the second-highest of five color-coded categories, he said.

COMMENTS

• "Explosives tests were run...?" You mean nobody in the FBI, or the military, or the defense industry previously knew what amount of explosives (in liquid or any other form) would be able to take down an airplane? I find that hard to believe, given the billions spent on research and development in the weapons industry, the investigations of Pan Am 103 and other bombing incidents, etc. Let's face it, the Brits did a great job and stopped a real threat. What is conveniently overlooked by the politically correct media is who the threat was from. Hint: the same folks who have been attacking us for decades! Instead of inconveniencing millions of innocent travelers, and costing the airlines and the economy billions of dollars, TSA should focus its efforts on the real threat. If TSA can't figure out what that is, just look at the 9/11 hijackers! Unless we stop everybody for a 100 percent search, we won't be able to stop all threats. Let's put our resources where we get the biggest bang for the buck, and do what is right, and stop worrying about who may be offended. And if the terrorists step outside their well known ethnic and national backgrounds, then we can modify our search parameters. Until then, let's get on with our lives, like the Israelis do (who by the way, have proven that profiling works), and stop being intimidated by the threat of terrorism. While hundreds of thousands of law enforcement officials are on the lookout for a relative handful of terrorists, other criminals are getting a free pass. Just look at the latest FBI statistics, which show that crime is up nationwide! GovExec.com reader Posted September 29, 2006 12:43 PM
• DHS ICE got part of it right. The TSA is still scrambling to understand its job, let's give them a break. They were simply reacting to a verified threat discovered by the Brits, not us! Banning potentially explosive liquids is not overreaction, but commonsense. As a retired Customs senior inspector, I spent thousands of hours examining passengers’ bags at a large East Coast airport, and have discovered drugs, live hand grenades, knives, firearms, explosives, dynamite, hazmat stuff, etc. Also, remember that the Pan Am 103 flight was brought down by an IED in the checked luggage compartment. Profiling is still one of the best ways to prevent terrorism -- we all know that. Confusion regarding prohibited items is sad, but understandable. Give TSA a little slack. GovExec.com reader Posted September 27, 2006 2:20 PM
• DHS, At least they are trying something. You would be the first person to complain if they did nothing and an attack would occur in this fashion (oh wait, no you wouldn't, you'd be dead!). Think about it! Tom Posted September 27, 2006 12:24 PM