WASHINGTON – This week, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) called on the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to increase staffing at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP). On Tuesday, Klobuchar and Smith led a press conference at MSP and sent a letter to TSA Administrator David Pekoske, urging officials to increase the authorized staffing levels at MSP to reduce wait times.

“Security lines at MSP have become front page news in Minnesota, as the passenger mix for the north and south checkpoints changed to accommodate a terminal construction project. While the construction project precipitated the decision to change the checkpoint passenger mix, the fact is, the number of security lanes provided for TSA’s use has not been impacted by the construction. And no construction had even begun on the Monday when lines grew out of control,” the senators wrote.

“The situation is exacerbated by the fact that MSP is on track to experience its third consecutive year of record-breaking passenger levels. In addition, while historically only 55 percent of passengers began or ended their flight at MSP, now 64 percent of passengers do, creating a significant increase in demand for screening services.

“As demand for screening services at MSP continue to rise, so does our need for a significantly larger number of screening staff.

“We appreciate your consideration in this matter and look forward to your response.”

Full text of the letter can be found below:

August 21, 2019
The Honorable David P. Pekoske
Administrator
Transportation Security Administration
601 South Twelfth Street
Arlington, VA 20598
Dear Administrator Pekoske:

We appreciate the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) willingness in the past to work with us to address security wait time issues at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP). Unfortunately, security wait times at the airport have increased and we request that TSA review the authorized staffing allocation at MSP to ensure the airport has the resources that it needs.

Unfortunately, the continued lack of adequate screener staffing at MSP Airport has created an untenable situation for travelers there. Lines have often stretched across the ticketing lobby in recent months. It is not uncommon that lines for the north security checkpoint overlap with those for the south security checkpoint. We continue to hear horror stories from travelers regarding security wait times. While such anecdotes are not always a reliable source of actual wait times, the message is clear: Travelers using MSP Airport are frustrated and fed up with the long security lines.

Security lines at MSP have become front page news in Minnesota as the passenger mix for the north and south checkpoints has been changed to accommodate a terminal construction project. While the construction project precipitated the decision to change the checkpoint passenger mix, the fact is, the number of security lanes provided for TSA’s use has not been impacted by the construction. And no construction had even begun on the Monday when lines grew out of control.

The long lines and wait times MSP continues to experience have one primary cause: inadequate staffing to operate all the lanes available for the screening process at MSP during peak demand. One remote checkpoint frequently used by business travelers with only carry-on luggage has been closed entirely for months due to the shortage of TSA screeners at MSP. When checkpoint lines get long, there are frequently unstaffed security lanes that could be in service if there were adequate TSA staffing levels at MSP.

In the past, use of Explosive Ordinance Detection canines augmented staff and helped speed security processing. Changes in the procedures for how the dogs are used have resulted in the canines slowing rather than speeding security processing. While the dogs still provide an added layer of security, the fact that they no longer lead to a more efficient screening process means we need more screeners to fill the gap left by changes in canine use.

The situation is exacerbated by the fact that MSP is on track to experience its third consecutive year of record-breaking passenger levels. In addition, while historically only 55 percent of passengers began or ended their flight at MSP, now 64 percent of passengers do, creating a significant increase in demand for screening services.

As demand for screening services at MSP continue to rise, so does our need for a significantly larger number of screening staff.

We appreciate your consideration in this matter and look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

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