DATE: December 23, 2019
TO: All Personnel, LGA, HPN, ISP, SWF
FROM: FSD Robert Duffy, LGA, HPN, ISP, SWF
SUBJECT: Weekly Update
As I write this update, we are now at the start of the holiday season. The holiday travel period began December 15, and so far we have seen high volumes of passengers on most of the days since last week. We have an effective plan to maintain the staffing needs at our four airports and receive rapid response from our service providers designed to minimize the down time of our screening equipment when it breaks down. We stopped much of the training classes during this busy time to ensure sufficient staffing at all checkpoints. As with Thanksgiving, we have the benefit of additional K-9 teams from Burlington, VT, Fort Lauderdale, FL and Boston, MA. I want to thank all of the visiting K-9 teams for coming to LGA over the holidays when they could have stayed at home with their families. Their personal sacrifice, dedication and devotion to the TSA mission are truly admirable and greatly appreciated. We had an excellent Thanksgiving travel period due to your exceptional effort and teamwork. I expect an equally successful Christmas-New Year’s travel period as well, again due to your professionalism, innovation and teamwork.
Last Friday we held our annual awards ceremony in which we recognized the outstanding efforts of our men and women at all four of our airports. The actions and accomplishments, individually and as a team, are inspiring and reflect the very best of the TSA as well as the professionalism of our workforce at LGA, HPN, ISP and SWF. Congratulations to all of the award recipients for a job well done.
As of today, we have a budget, and we have been able to pay out IPI and IBI awards. Included in the new budget is a 12 week paid parental leave, which emphasizes the importance of family and affording parents time to spend with their new children. Looking back to this time one year ago, we were in the opening days of what was to become a 35-day government shut-down due to the government not having a budget. What a difference a year makes.
At LGA, we have begun to receive the new Terminal B checkpoint screening equipment. The new equipment includes 14 MacDonald/Humphries Automated Screening Lanes (ASL), 8 Rhode and Schwartz body scanners which will replace the AIT machines (1 unit per mod-set), and we will receive 2 Computer Tomography (CT) units which will replace the AT-2 x-ray units. The CT units use the same technology found in our CT-80 and 9800 units for checked baggage. There will be a total of 16 lanes in the new checkpoint with two “legacy” lanes for wheelchairs. If there is a need to expand, there is space to increase to 20 lanes. All of the new equipment is expected to be in place by mid-February. We have already received the new Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) units for use at the TDC positions. Those units will verify the validity of a state driver’s license or state issued ID card. They will also verify the authenticity of passports. Additionally, the CAT units will determine if a passenger receives standard screening, Pre Check screening or if they are a selectee or no fly. The training for CAT units will start after the first of the year. Training for the new Terminal B checkpoint equipment will start after the installation of all equipment is completed. Presently, we expect the opening of the new checkpoint to be in the April/May time period.
At SWF, the new Federal Inspection Station (FIS) is still on schedule to be completed in June, 2020. Upon completion, CBP can move into that new facility. At some time after the opening of the FIS, I expect to see planning for an expansion of the checkpoint to increase beyond the current two lanes.
Effective December 19, we saw the approval of officers to wear PEDs while on-duty at the checkpoints or in training. This was in response to the recognition that in an emergency situation, our officers need to have the means to call for help when lives are at risk. An active shooter situation is an example. Please understand that this is not an authorization to use any PED while on duty at the checkpoint or in training for personal business. That prohibition is still in effect. For those who carry or wear a PED, please take the time to program into your PED, the phone number of the police department having jurisdiction at your airport, and any other airport you work at, such as ISP and HPN officers working at LGA, or SWF officers working at HPN. In a true emergency seconds count. During an emergency at your airport, 911 will get to an emergency dispatch, but it may not be to the police department at your airport. The time it takes to transfer a call is critical, so prepare yourself now.
Three weeks ago, I had the pleasure of spending some time with our newest STSOs. I have also had the opportunity to spend time with most of our STSOs and LTSOs at the weekly BD training courses. In all occasions, we spent a good amount of time discussing leadership. To everyone in a position of leadership, in Screening, Inspections and Mission Support, I expect you to make looking out for those people in your charge your first priority. You are in those positions to serve the needs of your subordinates. You have a social contract with each person in your charge to care for them, and attend to their needs so that they in turn can focus on the TSA mission every day. Set a good example for the men and women in your charge every day in your words, actions and attitude. We discussed that you set the tone for everyone in your charge. The best performing units have the best leadership. You are all capable of being great leaders. Great leadership starts with trust. Trust must be earned every day and is the foundation of all successful relationships.
Establish an environment that fosters innovation and initiative. Mistakes will be made. Use them as a learning tool. We are all smarter from the lessons learned from the mistakes we have all made throughout time. After reviewing a mistake and addressing the root cause, place that person back into the same position or situation so they can apply their new found knowledge and gain valuable experience which will drive improvement and build confidence. Always favor action over inaction. Those willing to take reasonable, calculated risks are the people who will create new paths rather than follow the same worn out trails. There are plenty of opportunities waiting to be discovered. Use your initiative and innovation to find them and take advantage of them. As I said at the awards ceremony on Friday and at many of our class graduations, don’t be afraid to fail, be afraid not to try. Follow the British SAS motto: Who dares wins.
I want to send a big thank you to all who will be working this holiday season protecting the lives and well-being of the thousands of travelers passing through our four airports this season to spend the holidays with loved ones while you are away from home. Your sacrifice is greatly appreciated and inspiring. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Kwanzaa to all.
Respectfully,
Bob Duffy
