The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) was created as part of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act passed by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President George W. Bush on November 19, 2001. The TSA was originally organized in the U.S. Department of Transportation but was moved to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in 2003.
The agency was created in response to the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and The Pentagon. The organization was charged, in the midst of much confusion over appropriate safety procedures, with developing policies to ensure the safety of U.S. air traffic and other forms of transportation. Airport security and the prevention of aircraft hijacking is an integral part of the TSA mission. The TSA does not currently operate the Federal Air Marshal program as this program has been transferred to Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
TSA's mission and vision, according to its official U.S. Government web site:
- Mission
- The Transportation Security Administration protects the Nation's transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce.
- Vision
- The Transportation Security Administration will continuously set the standard for excellence in transportation security through its people, processes, and technologies.
In addition to its other duties, the TSA established an official list of Permitted and Prohibited Items for carry-on and stowed luggage. Among other things, this re-allowed such items as knitting needles and crochet needles , that were temporarily banned by some airports and airlines after September 11, 2001. The TSA is also charged with the administration of the controversial Computer Assisted Passenger Prescreening Systems intended to identify suspected or potential terrorists.
The TSA employees over 36,000 personnel used as security screeners.
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