Logan Airport Wait Times: TSA's New 10-Point Plan

By DAN TAYLOR (Patch Staff)

Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson has a new plan to cut TSA wait times at airport across the country, including Boston's Logal Airport.

Security checkpoints have ballooned to an hours-long wait in some cases, with airlines joining passengers in openly calling for reforms as a growing number of passengers are missing flights due to the delays.

Johnson says he and TSA Administrator Pete Neffender have developed "an aggressive plan to deal with it and to provide continued aviation security for the American people," according to a statement.

The proposals will "not compromise the security of aviation or the American people," but there are things the administration can do to cut down on wait times at airports.

Johnson said the effort to fix the TSA was made easier by Congress' decision to maintain staffing size and not downsize the TSA workforce, saving 1,600 positions.

And now, the agencies have developed a 10-point plan to "keep passengers moving," Johnson said.

The 10-point plan includes:

1. Maximizing the use of overtime for TSA officers to meet checkpoint demands
2. Expediting the hiring of more TSA officers, adding another 768 this year
3. Deploying additional K-9 teams
4. Allowing Federal Security Directors at airports to use "increased flexibility" in providing additional trained TSA staff for screening
5. Developing specific plans to alleviate wait times at the nation's busiest airports
6. Reducing the size and number of carry-on luggage
7. Asking airlines for help in non-security tasks
8. Increasing research and development in technology to increase passenger flow
9. Encouraging air travelers to sign up for TSA Pre✓
10. Working with Congress to get additional resources for the TSA

Image by U.S. Federal Government (Transportation Security Administration) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons