Neffenger spoke loud and clear.

His number one priority is to improve test scores.

He believes low test scores can be attributed to TSOs trying to work too quickly. He believes that long lines and slow screenings are indicators of more thorough screening that will result in higher test scores.

I suspect he could pick a couple target airports and insist that every single pax receive a grope and every single bag be searched and he would still get poor test scores.

Having two and three times the staff you need cluttering up checkpoints with their presence, their cellphones and their distracted personal chatter, often with other screeners actively involved in doing something, is a part of the problem he refuses to address. Refusing to acknowledge that the current application of 'screener discretion' (ie, no rules, anything goes, zero oversight) is another reason why TSOs will continue to 'find' deadly threats like well-frosted cupcakes, nitro pills, Buzz Lightyear Grip Toys and funky high heels while missing the Red Team threats.

If wait times double and there's still no significant improvement in test scores (especially with all these academy-trained TSOs), then what? Send them all back to the academy for refresher training?