[ad_1]
Discussion points sent by Jim Gregory, Assistant Deputy Public Affairs Administrator, TSA, revealed that the agency was working behind the scenes to monitor messages about the impact of the government closure during four weeks on the agency and its security screening activities. .
"You can talk to the media and discuss topics that affect your workforce, such as how they work in general but some areas you can not talk about," says the e-mail.
"Do not offer call data specific to your airport," adds the e-mail. "You can say that you have had more outgoing calls, but in partnership with the airport and the airlines, you are able to manage people and resources to ensure the maintenance of a effective security. "
Headquarters are commonplace, and on Friday Gregory told CNN that a small group of TSA leaders had sought advice.
"In short, it is suggested to use a wording if the situation allows it Yesterday, our operations center asked if they could forward my talking points to all (Federal Security Directors), and thought it might be helpful, so I agreed, "Gregory told about his email.
The TSA released this week releases with national percentages of what it calls "unplanned absences". On Friday, TSA said 6.4% of its workforce did not show up for work because of the closure, compared to 3.8% last year.
However, as TSA provides only national averages, it is difficult for air passengers to know which airports are most affected by the calls.
Although TSA issued national dialing numbers, the Cy Agen declined a request regarding the actual number of employees calling at specific airports since the start of the closure, citing problems with security.
"We consider that call numbers are sensitive and do not publish them publicly because we believe that adversaries could use this information to exploit perceived vulnerabilities," Gregory told CNN. "In addition, the call numbers do not tell the whole story, because it's about whether the FSDs are able to handle the checkpoints properly." In any case, we want to make sure that security will not be compromised by TSA and we will meet security standards. " [19659002] Gregory also said in an email to the TSA management: "Do not talk about what happened at other airports." Earlier this week, gun articles missed at ATL January 2 has been published You can say that we are taking security incidents seriously, but I will send you back to our headquarters to inform you of this specific incident. "
The TSA, Department of Homeland Security, has been reviewed by the public since the start of the closure and CNN has announced that hundreds of controllers were calling patients at major airports.
On Monday, waiting times at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport reached a maximum of 88 minutes, according to the TSA. Last weekend, Miami International Airport announced that incoming calls were double the normal fare. At one point, a hall was closed. And George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston closed a checkpoint for six days.
In a tweet on Thursday, TSA chief David Pekoske acknowledged the increase in the number of calls. "Officers who say they can not get to work for financial reasons are more and more numerous, I understand that and if necessary, we will implement emergency plans using the resources and staff available. "
Internal email discussion points and news releases from agencies indicate that airports "are implementing our emergency plans to ensure and maintain effective security due to calls received and to be heard". a high volume expected ".
The agency does not disclose the details of any emergency plans for security reasons, but CNN learned that part of the plan involves the deployment of reserve officers TSA to strengthen the airport workforce.
The General Manager of Atlanta Airport announced Wednesday that 20 TSA officers had been recruited. CNN also learned that at least six TSA agents had been sent to the Newark Liberty International Airport.
Gregory's e-mail indicates that members of the public who took the plane expressed their gratitude to the screening officers working without pay.
He advises TSA officials to say, "Public support of passengers for airport staff and other people traveling to terminals." It is greatly appreciated. "
Other line:" Officers of the TSA TSA can not accept gifts at checkpoints, but they are grateful for everyone's gratitude, which makes a difference. "
Source link
