Pre-Check to Continue Expanding After Pistole Retires

Pre-check has been good for the TSA and growth should continue, the agency’s director told attendees at an industry conference.

With 675,000 people now enrolled in the TSA’s Pre-check program, outgoing Administrator John Pistole said there’s room to expand participation. Pistole, speaking at an American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) conference, said the agency has been working with contractors and plans to “privately recruit millions more participants,” as reported by USA Today.

The success of the program has allowed the TSA to focus on “greater threats,” Pistole said, and led to a budget reduction of $500 million a year, a 7 percent reduction in security officers, and a reduction in security directors from 120 to 80.

“We’re a leaner, more efficient organization,” Pistole said.

TSA’s Pre-check program expedites security screening for travelers in airline loyalty programs, airline crew members, members of the military, as well as young and old travelers. Travelers wishing to apply for Pre-check must pay an $85 fee for five years.

Pistol said the continued success of the Pre-check program will depend on whether or not there is another terrorist attack. “The challenge is, if there is an attack — something bad happens — is everyone going to run for cover?” he asked. “People could say, ‘That TSA Pre-check, that’s gone too far.’ That would be an important challenge in sustaining and continuing [risked-based security] initatives.”

Pistole told conference attendees that the biggest frustration for him was the growing number of guns and weapons that continue to show up at TSA checkpoints—1,928 so far this year and, according to Pistole, likely to break the record set in 2013 of 1,956.

“It’s a distraction from our primary mission,” Pistole noted.

Pistole, the longest-serving head of TSA, will retire on December 31. No announcements have been made as to who is being considered to replace him.

[Photo: iStock]