No holiday leave for TSA screeners

Vacation eave is restricted for Transportation Security Administration employees to ensure checkpoints are fully staffed during the holidays.

Assistant federal security director Viola Sablan said the restriction will be effective for the entire month of December until after New Year’s Day, in view of the expected influx of tourists to the Northern Marianas.

She said TSA employees may only take leave for medical or other emergency purposes. “We’re restricting all vacation leave,” she added.

She also noted that the federal agency cannot afford to lose screeners to leave filings. TSA-Saipan currently has only 47 screeners, a number way lower than the 80 screeners ideal for the Saipan International Airport.

Citing TSA’s staffing problem, Sablan reiterated her call for passengers to help TSA make the screening process faster and more efficient.

She said travelers can start by ensuring that they do not bring any prohibited items to the airport. Travelers are also urged not to over-pack their bags, as opening and closing overstuffed bags can be difficult and result in delays.

Sablan also encouraged travelers not to bring wrapped presents, as screeners will need to unwrap them if the package alarms. Instead, she recommended 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 them from being damaged by the checked baggage screening equipment.
* Have your valid passport and boarding pass available for presentation.
* Unlock your bags. Do not fasten the belts. Do not strap the bags with strings.
* Remove old airline tags.
* Have luggage keys ready upon completion of the screening procedure.
* While waiting in line, place all metal items in a carry-on bag. These include cigarette cases, jewelry, loose change, keys, mobile phones, pagers, and personal data assistants, or PDAs.
* Take out laptop computers and outer coats, and place them in separate bins.

In related news, Sablan said TSA-Saipan host its 1st Annual Awards Ceremony. To be recognized are employees “whose performance has met or exceeds expectation level in the areas of leadership, customer service, administration and technical support and equal employment opportunity and diversity.”

Sablan said TSA will also honor community agencies, legislators, individuals, and other people who have supported TSA’s mission and vision.

At least 100 people are expected to attend the function, which will be held starting 9am, tomorrow, at Aqua Resort Club.