TSA Says Pay Raise Helping Recruitment, Retention in Record-Breaking Year
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator David Pekoske hailed 2023 as
“another year of progress” as the agency released its 2023 year in review.
“I am very proud of the work we accomplished together as an agency and with our partners in 2023,” said Administrator Pekoske.
Among the accomplishments highlighted by Administrator Pekoske: the implementation of the pay raise that brought TSA employees in line with federal counterparts.
TSA says the raise, provided in the fiscal year (FY) 2023 omnibus legislation, led to a “significant reduction in attrition and improvement in the ability to recruit for open positions.”
The agency hired and trained more than 9,000 new Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) and Security Support Assistants during 2023. It also retained a record 88 percent of frontline employees and implemented expanded collective bargaining rights for non-supervisory TSOs.
Morale is also improving as TSA improved on its Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) metrics, posting a 15 percent improvement in its Global Satisfaction Index Score and a four percent increase in its employment engagement and morale score.
The agency also held its first ever DEIA Strategic Planning Meeting to exchange ideas and best practices on local DEIA initiatives.
Record-Breaking Year
In 2023, TSA screened a record 858 million plus passengers, an average of 2.4 million a day at airports across the country. Seven out of the top ten busiest days in agency history occurred in 2023, including the Sunday after Thanksgiving, which set a record with 2.9 million passengers screened.
TSOs screened 484 million checked bags and 1.9 billion carry-on items.
Agents intercepted 6,737 firearms in 2023, 93 percent of which were loaded. That is also a record and surpasses 2022’s 6,542 firearms intercepted.
Still, that amounts to 7.8 firearms per million passengers in 2023, which is a drop from 8.6 per million passengers in 2022.
“We are still seeing far too many firearms at TSA checkpoints, and what’s particularly concerning is the amount of them loaded, presenting an unnecessary risk to everyone at the TSA checkpoint,” said Administrator Pekoske.
Technology Upgrades
TSA implemented new teams and technology throughout the year.
TSA deployed 141 new explosives detection canine teams and more than 2,000 Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) machines that use optional facial recognition technology.
TSA also added 267 Computed Tomography X-ray scanners which allow for a more thorough visual analysis of a bag’s contents and updated an algorithm to improve the performance of machines that screen passengers for metallic and non-metallic threats. The algorithm is said to reduce the need for unnecessary pat-downs.
The agency implemented new performance-based cybersecurity requirements for airports.
It also highlighted a new National Amendment on Aviation Worker Screening which is designed to stop insider threats. The amendment requires certain airport operators to conduct enhanced screening of aviation workers.
As for training, TSA trained over 5,000 air crew members in self-defense tactics.