While it has been fun watching the TSA, media and a Congress committee lose their collective minds over this security breach, I think it is time we buckle down and dissect the SOP.
I am placing this discussion here to separate it from the media watch the SOP discussion has become. (Don't get me wrong we need the media watch)
We already know that
TSO screenings before work don't happen in some airports in violation of 4.3.13 (A) of the SOP and in violation of Title 49 §1540.107 (A)
But what about all the people listed in 4.3.13 (C)?
How can the TSA even pretend the sterile area is not a muddy pit when a large portion of the people that are allowed in under the guise "working" without being screened.
4.3.13.TSA PERSONNEL
A.TSOs who enter the sterile area through the screening checkpoint must undergo screening at the beginning of their shift. TSOs who exit the screening checkpoint to perform work within the scope of their screening duties (such as assisting with passengers or collecting divest bins) need not be rescreened upon reentering the screening checkpoint. Where the FSD has waived TSO rescreening, TSOs who leave the screening checkpoint area and are completely out of sight for rest breaks, lunch, etc. need not be rescreened upon returning to the screening checkpoint after presenting their TSA employee ID or local airport ID for review by a TSO or designated TSA representative. However, where the FSD has elected to waive TSO rescreening, the FSD must implement random screening of TSOs returning from breaks.
B.FSDs may exempt themselves, DFSDs, AFSDs/DAFSDs for Screening, training coordinators, training specialists, scheduling operations officers, TSMs, Stakeholder Managers/Liaisons, STSOs, and LTSOsfrom screening, while on duty, after presenting their TSA employee ID or local airport ID for review by a TSO or TSA representative designated by the FSD. On duty includes meals and rest breaks.
C.The following credentialed TSA employees on official business at an airport with a valid TSA credential (and badge, if issued) are exempt from screening while performing official duties at that airport after presenting the credential (and badge) for review by a TSO. TSA credentialed employees are NOT exempt from screening when boarding an aircraft as part of official duty travel. These TSA credentialed employees are not permitted to escort individuals around or through the screening checkpoint to bypass screening unless otherwise permitted by this SOP.
1)TSA Inspector (credential only)
2)TSA Executive (credential only)
3)TSA Critical Personnel (credential only)
4)TSA Transportation Security Specialist (credential only)
5)Federal Security Director (credential and badge)
6)Deputy Federal Security Director (credential and badge)
7)Assistant Federal Security Director for Law Enforcement (credential and badge)
8)Assistant Federal Security Director for Inspections (credential and badge) 9)Other Assistant Federal Security Directors (credential only)
10)TSA Office of Inspection Special Agent (credential and badge)
11)TSA Office of Inspection Inspector (credential and badge)
12)TSA Explosives Security Specialist (credential only)
13)Bomb Appraisal Officer (credential only)
14)Attorney Advisor (credential only)
15)TSA Investigator (credential only)
16)TSA Field Intelligence Officer (credential and badge)
Title 49 §1540.107 Submission to screening and inspection.
(a) No individual may enter a sterile area or board an aircraft without submitting to the screening and inspection of his or her person and accessible property in accordance with the procedures being applied to control access to that area or aircraft under this subchapter.
p.s. I can't post from work anymore, my boss got paranoid because of the way the media is portraying us.
