Secretly Keeping Track Of People Who Might Pose A Threat To TSA Staff At Airport Checkpoints

The TSA is reportedly keeping a secret list of passengers who have the potential to pose a threat to its officers and other TSA personnel at airport checkpoints.

The Washington Post cites an article in the New York Times which indicates that the "watch list" includes passengers that the agency has determined to have interacted with a TSO in ways deemed to be offensive or threatening by the agency. People see hanging around checkpoints "suspiciously" could also find themselves on the list.

TSA spokesperson Lisa Farbstein told the Washington Post that the agency took the steps to protect its officers from unruly passengers, and so far there are only about 50 people on the watch list nationwide. She said that in fiscal year 2017, there were more than 34 assaults on TSOs.

“TSA is committed to its people and wants to ensure there are safeguards in place to protect TSA officers and others from any individual who has previously exhibited disruptive or assaultive behavior at a screening checkpoint and is scheduled to fly,” Farbstein said in an email to the paper.

Of course, there have been thousands of complaints about the treatment of passengers by TSA agents.

The ACLU has raised concerns about the existence of the list, saying that too often innocent people are included and there are not clear ways for people to challenge their being placed on such a list.

(Image from file)

FMI: Original report