According to a report from CNN, the Transportation Security Administration is considering a proposal that would eliminate passenger screenings at over 150 airports. The report suggests that if the proposal were to be enacted, passenger screenings would be cut at select airports for planes carrying sixty passengers or fewer. However, the luggage and passengers on these planes would be screened when they arrived at larger airports that have more resources.
According to CNN, several unnamed TSA officials appeared to be very concerned about the alleged proposal. Michael Bilello of TSA responded to the report by stating there has been “no decision to eliminate passenger screening at any federalized U.S. airport.” He also added, “Any potential operational changes to better allocate limited taxpayer resources are simply part of pre-decisional discussions and deliberations and would not take place without a risk assessment to ensure the security of the aviation system.”
While Bilello did seemingly indicate that the CNN report was factual, he did not go into specific details about who proposed the plan, how seriously it was being considered and when it would be implemented if passed. Estimates indicate that the elimination of security at smaller, select airports would affect approximately 0.5% of passengers year round and save the TSA approximately $115 million annually. However, there is still an issue of safety on all flights. What do you think?
