Weekly Update 11/25/2020

DATE:        November 25, 2020

TO:             All Personnel, LGA, HPN, ISP, SWF

FROM:       Robert A. Duffy, Federal Security Director, LGA, HPN, ISP, SWF    

SUBJECT: Weekly Update 

 

I will start this week’s update with some great news.  I received notification that LGA won the DHS Secretary’s Award this year for the COVID-19 Award.  This is obviously a new award based on the pandemic.  The criteria were based on the response of an agency or unit to the pandemic.  The leadership team felt sure we had a very compelling case for this award, so I sent the nomination in earlier this fall.  The nomination included the fact that we had over half of our workforce out of work at the peak of the pandemic’s impact in April.  To compound our problems, the MTA closed the subways from 0100 – 0500 daily which affected out first shift getting to work, and still has an impact on our officers arriving for first shift.  An explanation was given as to the creation of our Task Force and the outstanding effort they made to keep our personnel protected and also how we have managed to keep in contact with everyone affected by the pandemic.  I added that we never had to close LGA due to a lack of staffing at the peak of impact, and that all flights departed as scheduled because you came to work every day.  You overcame the fear of becoming sick with COVID-19, overcame the closure of the subways overnight, you overcame the threatening conditions on the subways, overcame the rioting and civil unrest and we also helped to open the new Terminal B on time after completing over 12,000 hours of training for over 260 officers.  We also helped keep Liberty Airport (EWR) operational at the peak of the pandemic’s impact to that airport by sending officers to EWR.  You deserved this award and the national recognition that goes with it for your incredible effort through unprecedented times, and I am extremely proud of all of you.  Thank you all for your fortitude, determination and patriotism to continue to carry on the TSA mission through such difficult times. 

 

At LGA we now have all 17 lanes in Terminal B operational.  We also received the first two CT units at LGA.  They are in Terminals B, Lane 17 and C, Lane 4.  We will be receiving additional CT units in 2021.  We now have CT units at ISP and LGA.  We now have the Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) units at LGA, ISP and HPN.  We expect to add SWF to the new equipment list in 2021. 

 

We are currently working with the PANYNJ and LGP to establish a VIP lane in Terminal B at LGA.  It will be located on the first floor next to the employee screening area.  Passengers using the lane will pass through a regular screening lane (non-ASL) and then take an elevator to the 5th floor in the sterile area where the restaurants and retail stores are located.  The Concept of Operations plan is in progress. 

 

Lastly, I want to take this time to wish all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving.  We all have much to be thankful for in spite of the serious hardships and heartbreaks many of us have had to endure this year.  Difficult times do bring people closer together as a result of the common bond developed in helping each other through the challenges and hardships faced together.  I hope you all take time to reflect on what you have to be thankful for while overcoming so much adversity this year.

I am thankful for the honor and privilege to know you, lead you and serve you. 

 

All the best to you and your loved ones this Thanksgiving.   

 

Regards,

Bob Duffy

2020 Federal Benefits Open Season

The 2020 Federal Benefits Open Season Begins November 9, 2020 Ends on December 14, 2020

 

Please see the LGA iShare for further information. 

 

The last day employees can enroll, make changes, or cancel benefits for the 2020 Federal Open Season is Monday November 9, 2020 thru  Monday December 14, 2020. Take advantage of this opportunity and review your options that will be effective in January 2021.

FSD WEEKLY UPDATE

DATE: November 10, 2020 

TO: All Personnel: LGA, ISP, HPN, SWF 

FROM: Robert A. Duffy, Federal Security Director: LGA, ISP, HPN, SWF 

SUBJECT: Weekly Update 

    I hope this Weekly Update finds you and your families in good health. For those who have contracted the Corona Virus, best wishes for a quick recovery. I have been there and appreciate what you are going through. Please continue to wear all of your PPE and take the same precautions when away from work. We all need to protect ourselves, our families, friends and co-workers. We are all in this together and need to take care of each other. 

     This week, we will have the Acting DHS Secretary, Chad Wolf, visit LGA on Thursday afternoon. A number of you will have the opportunity to meet him when he visits Terminal B with an interest in our responsibilities and the new equipment we are using. Secretary Wolf will also take the time to address our personnel. 

    

    This week at LGA we are having two CT units being installed in Terminal B and Terminal C, Lane 4. ISP received the CT technology last month, and have been complimentary of the new equipment. The CAT training at ISP and HPN is going well, and as with the CT technology, our officers appreciate the capabilities of the CAT units and how they improve our detection. Our ATLAS teams at all four airports are doing well and continue to provide their important service in furtherance to the TSA mission daily as we deter the insider threat. It is important to note that HPN continues to help LGA ATLAS teams and SWF officers work at HPN to maintain coverage. Thank you all for your exceptional teamwork. 

    

    We recently went through a OSHE safety inspection at ISP, HPN and SWF. The results were excellent and I want to say a big thank you to Roxana Rosario and all of our Collateral Duty Safety Officers (CDSO) for a job well done. While on the subject of safety and health, please remember that the alcohol we have at the checkpoints is for cleaning the screening equipment and work areas to keep them disinfected. The alcohol is not to be used for hand cleaning. Please use the hand sanitizer for cleaning your hands. 

     While talking to many of you at LGA, I was asked about the recent removal of one Weather and Safety Day during each pay period. At LGA, this was necessary to meet our staffing obligations, training and ATLAS requirements. We have cancelled all W&S days during Thanksgiving week and the Christmas – New Year’s Day time frame as we expect passenger volume to increase. All of our airports will have plenty of staffing for the holidays. We will also cancel training during the Thanksgiving and Christmas peak periods so we have the maximum number of officers available to keep our airports safe and secure. 

    The pilot programs in Terminal B are still in the preparation stage. The remote resolution room for all x-ray operators should be ready to go operational in January. The Ultra-Violet lighting in Terminal B Lanes 10 and 11 should start in December along with the anti-microbial bins on Lane 12. 

     Another concern that was brought to my attention was the rumor that TSA personnel will not be allowed to park in the Terminal C garage. I asked PANYNJ-LGA General Manager Tony Vero about this concern. Tony assured me that is not going to happen. 

     I want to take this opportunity to wish all of you a Happy Veteran’s Day tomorrow. This important day gives us all reason to say thank you to all of our military veterans for your service to maintain our freedom and liberty. From the brave patriots who faced the strongest military force in the world on the morning of April 15, 1775 in Lexington and Concord at the start of the Revolutionary War, to the War of 1812, the Civil War, the Spanish/American War, World War I, World War II, Korea, Viet Nam, Afghanistan and Iraq as well as many shorter term conflicts, our Nation has been protected and inspired by our military veterans. Many nations around the world owe their freedom to our military veterans. Your service has freed millions of people and given hope countless more people. You have projected American power around the world to deter evil forces, and saved lives through humanitarian efforts. You all represent the very best of America. 

     As a tribute to our veterans this year, we have asked LaGuardia Gateway Partners to allow us to post photos of our TSA personnel, who are military veterans, in both their TSA uniform and military uniform, on the giant video board in the sterile area of the Terminal B checkpoint next to the escalator. When DHS Secretary Wolf visits LGA on Thursday, we will have him recognize a number of our veterans during a town hall meeting. Thank you to all of our veterans for your service. We are proud of you. 

    Lastly, in the spirit of Veteran’s Day, I want to wish all of our Marines a very Happy 245th Birthday today. The US Marine Corps was founded on November 10, 1775 in Tun Tavern in Philadelphia, PA. Semper Fidelis and enjoy your day. Thank you all for your incredible dedication to protecting our beloved Nation by continuing to protect and defend our Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic. With great respect, Bob Duffy

Great Catch by LGA TSA

On Monday Officers detected what resembled a pipe bomb. While it ultimately was discovered to be a homemade humidor this could have easily have been mistaken by the flight crew or passengers. 

Below are links to some news stories:

 

News release: https://www.tsa.gov/news/press/releases/2020/11/09/tsa-officers-laguardia-airport-stop-suspicious-device-carry-bag

 

ABC News: https://abcnews.go.com/US/homemade-cigar-humidor-resembling-pipe-bomb-confiscated-major/story?id=74122297

 

WNBC TV 4: https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/homemade-cigar-humidor-confused-for-pipe-bomb-at-laguardia-checkpoint-tsa/2713033/

 

Fox News: https://www.foxnews.com/us/homemade-cigar-humidor-pipe-bomb-laguardia

 

International Business Times: https://www.ibtimes.com/what-pipe-bomb-airport-mistakes-humidor-suspicious-device-3079206

 

Mid-Hudson News: https://midhudsonnews.com/2020/11/09/tsa-at-laguardia-stops-dutchess-man-with-suspicious-package/

 

Telemundo 47 New York: https://www.telemundo47.com/noticias/local/humidor-casero-para-puros-confundido-con-bomba-en-punto-de-control-de-laguardia/2116740/

 

NY Post: https://nypost.com/2020/11/09/lga-security-confiscates-cigar-humidor-confusing-it-for-a-pipe-bomb/

 

WCBS Radio 880: https://www.radio.com/wcbs880/news/local/homemade-cigar-humidor-mistaken-for-pipe-bomb-at-laguardia

 

WCSI Radio 1010: https://1010wcsi.com/fox-news/homemade-cigar-humidor-mistaken-for-pipe-bomb-at-laguardia-airport-tsa-gate/

 

Sioux County Radio 93.9: https://siouxcountyradio.com/news/2020/11/09/homemade-cigar-humidor-mistaken-for-pipe-bomb-at-laguardia-airport-tsa-gate-1

 

KQMS Newstalk Radio 1670 AM: https://www.kqms.com/news/homemade-cigar-humidor-mistaken-for-pipe-bomb-at-laguardia-airport-tsa-gate/

 

FlyerTalk: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/checkpoints-borders-policy-debate/2028300-lga-security-confiscates-cigar-humidor-after-confusing-pipe-bomb.html

 

WFTL 850 Radio: https://www.850wftl.com/homemade-cigar-humidor-resembling-pipe-bomb-confiscated-at-major-airport/

 

Radio Jamestown KJTN and WKSN (Media One Radio Group) : https://radiojamestown.com/news-and-closings/national-headlines/9e62fa21e815aba72f55ad67fa8595b6

VETERANS DAY BREAKFAST

TSA LGA would like to Honor those who served.

CTB Conference Room

Sunday, November 8th

0800 – 1100

All Military personnel, past and present, are

welcome!

***Due to COVID-19 this year’s breakfast will be a Grab and Go. We have limit the seating capacity to allow for social distancing. ***