Security Screening: Update In the
November 12, 2010, FastRead, the National Security Committee (NSC)
published Security Alert Bulletin 2010-4 on advanced imaging technology (AIT)
and procedures in the United States. A number of security screening procedural
questions were addressed, but the NSC made a commitment to update the membership
with answers to additional questions on this subject. Accordingly, the NSC
provides the following FAQs, which were coordinated with the Transportation
Security Administration (TSA):
Q. Are Transportation Security Officers instructed to use hand-wand metal
detectors or pat-downs to resolve any anomalies from walk-through metal detector
screening?
A. The standard pat-down is used to resolve alarms created by a walk-through
metal detector.
Q. Are there any U.S. airports that have only AIT machines and no
walk-through metal detectors?
A. TSA is unaware of any airports that do not have walk-through metal detectors.
Q. Are uniformed flight attendants required to submit to
AIT screening and pat-downs?
A. No, uniformed flight attendants with company ID are not required to submit to
AIT screening and pat-downs. They are processed at security screening
checkpoints in the same manner as uniformed pilots with company ID.
Q. Are individuals who are selected for a pat-down search permitted to
request a private screening with a witness during this process?
A. Yes, they may request a private screening, and they may request that a
witness accompany them to that screening.
Pilots are reminded to report any security screening discrepancies or
problems to their MEC Security chairman/coordinator. |