BACKGROUNDER

BWI April 30, 2002 Rollout of Federal Screening Force

The deployment of the nation’s first fully federalized team of federal screening personnel is scheduled for April 30, 2002 at Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI). TSA Special Agents, serving as national mobile screeners, will supervise more than 200 federal screeners at Piers A and B at BWI Airport. The federal screening workforce is scheduled to be in place at all five security checkpoints at BWI in six weeks.

Events Surrounding the Mobilization

On Saturday, April 27, more than 200 members of our Mobile Screening Force (MSF) arrived at Baltimore. They were met by TSA staff members and check-in for an over-the-weekend orientation session. These screeners have successfully completed 40-hours of classroom training in Oklahoma City, and demonstrated mastery of course content by passing a final examination.

Sunday evening, April 28, Under Secretary of Transportation for Security John W. Magaw personally welcomed the group and spoke to them at length.

At 12:01 a.m., April 30, TSA took responsibility for the check points at Piers A & B. At 4:00 a.m., Maryland State Police opened the checkpoints, which were manned by TSA MSF screeners.

At 11:00 a.m., Under Secretary Magaw will be making remarks and taking questions from the media at a press event on the Observation Deck at BWI airport.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q Will BWI be the first airport to have federal screeners?

A Yes. The deployment of the nation’s first fully federalized team of federal screening personnel is scheduled for April 30, 2002 at Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI).

Q Is this the group of screeners that are flying around the country?

A Yes. TSA Special Agents, serving as national mobile screeners, will supervise more than 200 federal screeners at Piers A and B at BWI Airport.

Q Will federal screeners be working at other piers?

A Yes. In six weeks, the federal screener workforce will be in place at all five security checkpoints at BWI.

Q Why are federal screeners only at Piers A and B at the moment?

A This first group of federal screeners has passed the federal assessment and completed testing and classroom training. They will complete the 60-hours of on-the-job training under the supervision of the mobile screeners and after graduation, they “roll out” as teams to other security checkpoints at BWI.

Q What does screener training include?

A Each screener receives a minimum of 40-hours of classroom training, which is five times the amount they received under the previous system, and will have to pass a tough final examination as a requirement for graduation.

In addition, screeners also will receive 60-hours of on-the-job training.

Q Will the federal screeners operate the EDS machines?

A Not initially. The federal screeners will be screening passengers and carry-on luggage at the security checkpoints and, on a random basis, at the gates before passengers board their flights.