Earlier today, the United States Transportation Security Administration (TSA) published a statement highlighting its major accomplishments for 2022. Last year was a record year for firearm interception, with over 6,500 firearms apprehended throughout the country, and passenger screening numbers increased significantly.
2022 Highlights
The TSA is the agency in charge of airport security in the United States, screening passengers and their bags, among much more. Agents are responsible for keeping American airspace safe by staying alert and keeping their eyes peeled for suspicious and illegal items in bags. Today's report highlights the efforts of Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) around the US, having screened over 2 million passengers daily in 2022 and apprehending a record number of firearms.
Record firearm apprehension
Between 2010 and 2020, the highest number of firearms the TSA apprehended in one year was 4,432 in 2019. In 2020 there was a significant drop in firearm apprehensions that directly correlated with the sharp decline in passenger numbers due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and 3,257 firearms were seized at TSA checkpoints. As travel began to rebound in 2021, 5,972 guns were found in carry-on bags. 2022 was a record year for the agency, with more than 6,500 firearms apprehended, 88% of which were loaded.
Strong increase in passenger screenings
Last year marked the 20-year anniversary of checkpoint federalization in the US, an action taken after the events of 9/11, and more than 400 airports reached this milestone. While last year was not a record year for passenger screenings, travel rebounded significantly, and the TSA performed 736 million screenings with a daily average of more than two million.
Almost all passengers in regular screening lines waited less than 30 minutes on average, while those in PreCheck lines waited for less than 10.
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Increased wages
Late last month, President Joe Biden signed a bill that included a wage increase for TSA agents, whose salaries will be near the same level as other federal agencies. David Pekoske, TSA Administrator, said,
"I am incredibly proud of our dedicated TSA employees who perform the critical task of securing our nation's transportation systems each day. We had a very successful year that ended with the enactment of the FY 2023 Omnibus Appropriations Bill, which included funding to bring TSA employee compensation to a level commensurate with other federal employees, in addition to funding to expand collective bargaining rights for our non-supervisory screening workforce."
Pekoske added that TSOs have not been paid fairly for years,
"For years, our employees have not been paid fairly, and securing pay parity was necessary from an operational standpoint as we continue to see increasing travel volumes, and will also help our ability to recruit and hire new employees and retain the talent we have."
And more...
The TSA had a lot to celebrate last year, including the implementation of new technologies, heightened cybersecurity, the 60th anniversary of the Federal Air Marshal Service, additional canine teams, and the list goes on. In 2022, the agency also lowered the fee for its PreCheck program, which gives passengers access to a shorter security line with less scrutiny and requirements.