Rep. Van Epps Questions Airport Industry CEOs on Counter Drone Safety in TSA Hearing
Rep. Van Epps Questions Airport Industry CEOs on Counter Drone Safety in TSA Hearing
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Van Epps participated in a Homeland Security Committee hearing titled
“TSA Modernization: Perspectives on Key Security and Travel Reforms 25 Years After 9/11.” The purpose of this hearing was to explore opportunities to modernize aviation security and improve passenger screening technology.
Watch Rep. Van Epps’ remarks here or read them below.
“Thank you, Chairman Garbarino, for holding this hearing, and thank you to our witnesses for working with us as we ensure TSA continues safeguarding our skies while adapting to evolving threats and the needs of the traveling public.
As former administrator David Pekoske said, ‘TSA’s mandate is not only to mitigate the threats of today but to preempt evolving threats as our adversaries continue to adapt.’ For 25 years, TSA has sought to prevent another attack like 9/11 and has navigated a world filled with increasingly sophisticated adversaries.
Today, TSA’s no-fail mission benefits from screening technologies that didn’t exist a few decades ago, but as both technology and the nature of modern threats change, TSA must stay ahead of the curve. Strong partnerships with airports and airlines will remain critical to ensuring the federal government can respond effectively and keep Americans safe.
The mission of this committee today is to ensure TSA has what it needs to continue meeting the demands of that challenge––to keep Americans safe––and to do it in a way that both encourages and utilizes American innovation.
Today, travelers expect technological solutions to the inconveniences of the past. While TSA’s priority is security, we must continue optimizing and modernizing to serve the American people while not compromising safety.
To that end, I want to again thank our witnesses for joining us today to lend us their insights as key partners in the industry TSA serves.
Rep. Van Epps also had the opportunity to ask several questions.
Watch here or read below.
The Congressman asked: “TSA aims to lead on counter-unmanned aircraft capabilities by securing airports. Do you believe TSA should have expanded statutory authorities to coordinate with airports and surrounding areas on c-UAS standards and regulations?”
President and CEO, Airlines for America, Christopher T. Sununu said, “So I would just say that a lot of the UAS regulations will fall under the FAA. The most important thing we need is communication. We need our agencies to not live in silos, whether it's TSA, FAA, the airports themselves, the private and public aspects. They all need much better communication as this potential threat grows. I think that's one area where we have seen it fall apart a little bit, on that communication side.”
CEO, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Chris McLaughlin said, “I would add that under the FAA airport rulemaking committee work that was done a few years ago, I was proud to participate in that committee on counter UAS. There's a framework that exists, and I think that, yes, it's okay for TSA to perform as the lead federal agency in terms of response, but it can't be done in a silo. They must rely on the knowledge and experience of their local partners. At DFW, we have a standing SWAT team and a standing bomb squad. We have a cadre of drone pilots that are all well-trained and equipped to participate in our counter-UAS mission in conjunction with our federal partners. We're excited about the opportunity to do that. We represent about 7.5% of the daily flights in the NAS, and it's important that we have the opportunity to protect DFW as it protects transportation through the NAS.”
The Congressman then asked, “How successful do you see TSA’s progress in counter-drone capabilities?”
Mr. McLaughlin said, “Candidly, it's not seen on a day-in and day-out basis. It's still very limited. There's much more that can be done in partnership, again, with local partners, including airports that are interested and willing to participate in joint operations.
Mr. Sununu said, “I would add it’s not just TSA, it's the FAA, Customs and Border Patrol, and the airports themselves, through the TSA regulations and guidance. The airports are really in charge of their perimeters, so everybody has both the responsibility and authority to be at that table and have input. I would even argue the Department of War, given some of the counter-surveillance capabilities that they bring to the table, testing of new innovations and materials, new technologies. Everybody has to be there, and we're just at the very, I think, initial cusp of what can and probably should be done.”
Rep. Van Epps asked, “Federal Air Marshals have a crucial mission to secure high-risk flights, but as we consider what the future of TSA looks like, should the Air Marshals play a larger role in c-UAS mitigation at airports?”
Mr. McLaughlin said, “ Certainly, the federal Air Marshals, from a TSA perspective, do today play a significant role in that work. The issue is that federal Air Marshals aren't everywhere all the time, and we need the capability everywhere all the time.
In a second round of questions, Rep. Van Epps asked, “What model nations do you look at for wins in air travel operations abroad? Where is the gap between U.S. standards and improvements elsewhere overseas?
Mr. Sununu said, “...I think it's best to bring our own subject matter experts. You bring the airports together, you bring the airlines together, and you bring the folks at FAA together as a team. I think we're seeing that. I think in the last year you've seen that tremendously with the Air Traffic Control Modernization Project, where private industry has a lot of input in terms of what works, what doesn't, and how to bring it to bear.”
Rep. Van Epps asked, “Since the implementation of TSA’s One-Stop Security (OSS) pilot program at your airport, have you noticed a significant drop in screening time for international transfer passengers? Do you recommend extending this program to additional airports throughout the United States?”
Mr. McLaughlin said, “Since it's a pilot program and it's limited to Heathrow right now, on a statistical basis I can tell you that 100% of the customers coming off the Heathrow flights are experiencing a significant improvement in wait times. I said earlier the first person off the airplane is waiting seven minutes between leaving the jet bridge and reentering the sterile area. Absolutely, the program should be expanded. It should focus on both passengers and baggage where possible, and we should expand beyond the six original pilot sites that were listed in legislation. Now it should also be made permanent. Right now, it's a pilot program set to expire in 2028, and we would ask you to make that program permanent.”