TSA urges passenger cooperation for faster check-in

The Transportation Security Administration blamed yesterday the long lines at the baggage screening and passenger checkpoint areas on the federal agency’s manpower shortage and the simultaneous arrival of tour buses at the airport.

Acting federal security director Viola Sablan said she sees no immediate solution to TSA’s staffing problem. But she maintained that the screening process could be made more efficient with the help of travel agencies and passengers.

In an interview, Sablan said it may take a few more months before TSA can have much-needed additional screeners on board. Currently, TSA has only 48 screeners working at the Saipan International Airport—far less than the ideal 80-member staff.

Sablan reported that some 25 applicants have already passed the first two phases of the hiring process, which include aptitude and physical tests. However, they have yet to go through the final phase, which includes the drug examination and background check.

The actual number of new screeners to be hired remains indefinite, Sablan added.

She noted that TSA’s central office in Washington, D.C. has set a cap of only 45,000 screeners for all U.S. airports. Headquarters will also decide how many screeners TSA-Saipan can have, she said.

“Meantime, we’re asking for everybody’s cooperation to expedite the screening process,” Sablan said.

According to her, travel agencies can help by staggering the arrival of their tour buses at the airport.

“One of our main problems is [that] tour buses deliver passengers all at once. If you do that, tourists are definitely going to wait under the sun, or in the rain. If tour agencies can schedule their buses with at least a 15-minute time difference, we can prevent long lines at the airport,” she said.

Sablan also sought the cooperation of passengers, giving them tips to make the screening procedure faster, especially during the holidays.

“Air travelers can make a significant contribution to security and to make travel experience smooth for everyone,” Sablan said.

She said travelers can start by ensuring that they do not bring any prohibited items to the airport such as weapons, explosives, and incendiaries. These include box cutters, knives, ice picks, razor-type blades, metal scissors with pointed tips, swords, baseball bats, spear guns, oversized umbrellas, bullet replicas, and empty bullet shell case.

Other items not allowed in carry-on or checked bags include fireworks, flares, fuels/lighter fluids, gas torches/turbo lighters, strike-anywhere matches, paints, tear gas, spillable batteries, and gas cartridges (for hairdryers).

Travelers should not over-pack their bags, as opening and closing overstuffed bags can be difficult and result in delays.

Sablan also urged travelers not to bring wrapped presents, as screeners will need to unwrap them if the package alarms. She recommended instead that passengers either wrap their gifts when they get to their final destinations, or ship wrapped packages ahead of time.

Further, passengers are asked to avoid wearing shoes, clothing, jewelry and accessories that contain metal, as these may set off the alarm on the metal detector.

Sablan also gave the following tips to avoid secondary screening:

* Get to the airport ahead of time.

* Check the contents of your pockets and bags, particularly carry-on luggage to ensure no prohibited items are inadvertently packed.

* Place all undeveloped film and cameras with film in the carry-on baggage to avoid being damaged by the checked baggage screening equipment.