tsa checkpoint

TSA Faces Record-Low Numbers of Travelers, Coronavirus Outbreak Among Employees

More than 370 employees have tested positive for COVID-19 as TSA security screeners experience nearly empty airports due to the pandemic.

  • By Haley Samsel
  • Apr 15, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a massive toll on airline travel, leading to a record low in airport screenings conducted by the Transportation Security Administration.

Only 90,510 passengers were screened by TSA agents on April 12. Compare that to the number of travelers who were screened on the same day in 2019: 2,446,801 people, according to Fox News.

The new record came only four days after the previous record low was set on April 8, when the numbers dipped beneath 100,000. The numbers actually increased on April 9 and 10 to over 100,000 per day but dipped back into the 90,000s over the course of the two following days.

TSA is also grappling with the deaths of three TSA employees due to coronavirus complications. As of April 13, 373 employees had tested positive and 23 have recovered, USA TODAY reported.

The first employee, Francis “Frank” Boccabella III of Newark, died on April 2 at 39 years old. He worked for the TSA since 2004, most recently serving as an explosive detection canine handler.

The following day, Alberto Camacho, a branch manager at the TSA Systems Integration Facility in Arlington, Virg., died from coronavirus. He first joined the TSA in 2005 and was a transportation security industry veteran of more than 20 years, according to a TSA press release.

“Every day, he worked closely with TSA’s partners to ensure the nation’s aviation security technology remained cutting edge and ahead of the threat," a TSA statement reads. "We offer our heartfelt condolences to Alberto’s family, friends and his TSA colleagues."

Dian Phipps, who most recently worked at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, died on April 13, becoming the third agency employee to die from the virus. His 14-year career in airport security took him from the Virgin Islands to Juneau International Airport in Alaska, the agency said.

The TSA described him as a “kind and humble person who was always fun to be around, as well as being a talented singer.”

"For over 14 years Dian dedicated his career to protecting the traveling public, and his contributions to TSA and our mission will not be forgotten," the TSA statement reads.

The agency said that it is committed and determined to work “ever more closely” with its partners to stop the spread of coronavirus. In March, leading TSA union representatives pushed for more effective masks for airport security screeners, fearing that spread could be imminent.

About the Author

Haley Samsel is an Associate Content Editor for the Infrastructure Solutions Group at 1105 Media.

Featured

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

  • Survey: 48 Percent of Worshippers Feel Less Safe Attending In-Person Services

    Almost half (48%) of those who attend religious services say they feel less safe attending in-person due to rising acts of violence at places of worship. In fact, 39% report these safety concerns have led them to change how often they attend in-person services, according to new research from Verkada conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,123 U.S. adults who attend a religious service or event at least once a month. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.