UPDATE: TSA reports signficant progress amid security line scrutiny

The Transportation Security Administration (“TSA”) has reported significant progress in shortening screening lines after scrutiny this spring. Thousands of frustrated passengers across the country had reported missing their flights.

Data from the busy Memorial Day Weekend was presented at a hearing Tuesday before the Senate Homeland Security Committee; however, ranking members including Delaware Senator Tom Carper say the job is not done yet.

It’s tough balancing security screenings across airports with convenience for passengers, according to Senator Carper but it does not fully fall on the TSA.

“This is a shared responsibility,” Senator Carper said on the panel. “Each of us needs to do our part. If we do, we’ll be much safer as a nation.”

At the hearing, TSA administrator Peter Neffenger reported 99 percent of passengers in the U.S. waited less than 30 minutes over the busy Memorial Day Weekend. More 90 percent reportedly waited less than 15 minutes.

Neffenger credited more lanes, more staff and thousands of over-time hours.

“We were able to convert people from part-time to full-time,” explains Neffenger. “We moved additional K9 units into the largest airports.”

Senator Carper says he recognizes staffing is a problem.

According to Carper, TSA staffing has dropped by more than two percent since 2011. The TSA website currently claims a workforce of about 60,000 employees.

In that same time period, Carper says passenger volume has increased by more than ten percent. He believes both lawmakers and the agency need work together to ensure there’s enough resources.

“Funding levels in appropriations bills awaiting action in the Senate move us and TSA in the right direction,” says Carper. “We need to enact them.”

Neffenger also says the TSA is exploring better screening technology. It’s expected to help speed up lines as much as 30 percent.