New NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law

As per subdivision 3 of section 1229-c of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law as of November 1st 2020 is amended to require that back seat passengers in a motor vehicle who are sixteen years of age or older be restrained by a safety belt. Front seat passengers and  persons sixteen years or younger are already required by existing laws. 

A citation for a violation of this law can be issued to the passenger. The maximum fine for a conviction is $50.00 plus applicable surcharge(s). 

All persons in a government vehicle are to adhere to this law including those utilizing shuttle or utility vans. 

Weekly Update - October 23, 2020

DATE:        October 23, 2020

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

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

SUBJECT:  Weekly Update

 

I hope you are all doing well.  This week was eventful as we had a visit at LGA from TSA Deputy Administrator Miklos on Tuesday; we graduated our fourth session of the LTSO Training Class and we began the ISAT process at Terminal B, in LGA this week to start certifying Lanes 10 – 15.  Upon completion, we will have all lanes operational.  We also received confirmation of deliveries of CAT units to ISP and HPN. 

 

The visit by Deputy Administrator (DADM) Miklos was very successful.  He started his visit by watching a K-9 demonstration by K-9 Unit Manager Nathan Chase, EDCH Jorge Gallo and Mongo on an American Airlines aircraft.  After a meeting with the FAMS, he then met with many of our officers in Terminal B.  I took the opportunity to explain the numerous challenges all of you at LGA have had to work through such as the pandemic, closure of the subways from 0100 – 0500 every night, rioting and civil disobedience across NYC, the opening of a new terminal and the 12,000 hours of required training needed to open on time, and the opening date changing 5 times before finally opening on June 13.  I let the DADM know how proud I am of all of you and of your courage and devotion to the TSA mission and to the oath of office we all took which allowed us to always open on time and no flights were ever cancelled because TSA-LGA are always on the job and keeping the passengers safe.  The DADM was extremely impressed and later mentioned the tremendous respect he has for everyone at LGA who pressed on through the adversity.

 

I want to remind all of you to please take the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) by November 5.  You can take it while at work and we will give you up to 30 minutes of time during the day to get on a computer and complete the survey.  I pay attention to the results.  We will continue to do what we are doing well, and can focus our energy on the areas we need to improve upon.  Your input through the FEVS survey is important in helping us become more successful.

 

I also want to ask all of you to please take the time to donate to the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC).  There are many worthwhile charities that you can contribute to in an effort to help others.  It doesn’t matter the amount you contribute, but the rather the act of giving to help those in need.  

 

We will be receiving new Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) units for the TDC positions at ISP and HPN next week.  LGA will receive two CT units the week of November 9.  ISP already received a CT unit, so LGA can look to ISP for lessons learned to help with the transition.  

 

I want to take this opportunity to thank the officers at HPN and SWF who have been assisting the LGA ATLAS team.  HPN officers have come to LGA and SWF officers have backfilled at HPN.  Your exceptional teamwork is greatly appreciated. 

 

For the past four weeks we have been conducting LTSO training in an effort to set our LTSOs up for success and to become excellent leaders.  I have thoroughly enjoyed the time I spend with each class.  A big thank you goes to TSM Sandra Bissoon for taking on the challenge of creating the training program, STSOs Kerri Ursol, Jonathan Greene, Tahjib Zaman and LTSO Maribel Saltzman of HPN for making the classes so successful.  The focus of my instruction is leadership and the traits I expect in everyone who is a leader at LGA, SWF, HPN and ISP.  Those traits are character, virtue and honor.  All leaders need to possess those qualities in order to be successful.  Character is best described as being a person of honesty and integrity; doing what is inherently right, even when no one is watching.  Virtue is having high moral standards.  Honor is adhering to what is right, even when doing what is right is not popular or easy.  In living by these standards, each person can be a successful leader and enjoy not just a successful career, but a successful and rewarding life.  

 

Since DFSD McKeon has been in Wyoming, we talk and e-mail regularly every week.  He is doing well and has been applying some of our procedures to help improve the Wyoming airports.   

I want to thank you all again for your outstanding effort, professionalism and teamwork throughout this year of immense adversity.  I am proud of all of you and thank you all for your continued efforts in keeping our Nation safe and our citizens secure.

 

Respectfully,

Bob Duffy     

FSD WEEKLY MEMO 10-23-2020

DATE: October 23, 2020 TO: All Personnel: LGA, ISP, HPN, SWF FROM: Robert A. Duffy, Federal Security Director: LGA, ISP, HPN, SWF SUBJECT: Weekly Update I hope you are all doing well. This week was eventful as we had a visit at LGA from TSA Deputy Administrator Miklos on Tuesday; we graduated our fourth session of the LTSO Training Class and we began the ISAT process at Terminal B, in LGA this week to start certifying Lanes 10 – 15. Upon completion, we will have all lanes operational. We also received confirmation of deliveries of CAT units to ISP and HPN. The visit by Deputy Administrator (DADM) Miklos was very successful. He started his visit by watching a K-9 demonstration by K-9 Unit Manager Nathan Chase, EDCH Jorge Gallo and Mongo on an American Airlines aircraft. After a meeting with the FAMS, he then met with many of our officers in Terminal B. I took the opportunity to explain the numerous challenges all of you at LGA have had to work through such as the pandemic, closure of the subways from 0100 – 0500 every night, rioting and civil disobedience across NYC, the opening of a new terminal and the 12,000 hours of required training needed to open on time, and the opening date changing 5 times before finally opening on June 13. I let the DADM know how proud I am of all of you and of your courage and devotion to the TSA mission and to the oath of office we all took which allowed us to always open on time and no flights were ever cancelled because TSA-LGA are always on the job and keeping the passengers safe. The DADM was extremely impressed and later mentioned the tremendous respect he has for everyone at LGA who pressed on through the adversity. I want to remind all of you to please take the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) by November 5. You can take it while at work and we will give you up to 30 minutes of time during the day to get on a computer and complete the survey. I pay attention to the results. We will continue to do what we are doing well, and can focus our energy on the areas we need to improve upon. Your input through the FEVS survey is important in helping us become more successful. I also want to ask all of you to please take the time to donate to the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). There are many worthwhile charities that you can contribute to in an effort to help others. It doesn’t matter the amount you contribute, but the rather the act of giving to help those in need. We will be receiving new Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) units for the TDC positions at ISP and HPN next week. LGA will receive two CT units the week of November 9. ISP already received a CT unit, so LGA can look to ISP for lessons learned to help with the transition. I want to take this opportunity to thank the officers at HPN and SWF who have been assisting the LGA ATLAS team. HPN officers have come to LGA and SWF officers have backfilled at HPN. Your exceptional teamwork is greatly appreciated. For the past four weeks we have been conducting LTSO training in an effort to set our LTSOs up for success and to become excellent leaders. I have thoroughly enjoyed the time I spend with each class. A big thank you goes to TSM Sandra Bissoon for taking on the challenge of creating the training program, STSOs Kerri Ursol, Jonathan Greene, Tahjib Zaman and LTSO Maribel Saltzman of HPN for making the classes so successful. The focus of my instruction is leadership and the traits I expect in everyone who is a leader at LGA, SWF, HPN and ISP. Those traits are character, virtue and honor. All leaders need to possess those qualities in order to be successful. Character is best described as being a person of honesty and integrity; doing what is inherently right, even when no one is watching. Virtue is having high moral standards. Honor is adhering to what is right, even when doing what is right is not popular or easy. In living by these standards, each person can be a successful leader and enjoy not just a successful career, but a successful and rewarding life. Since DFSD McKeon has been in Wyoming, we talk and e-mail regularly every week. He is doing well and has been applying some of our procedures to help improve the Wyoming airports. I want to thank you all again for your outstanding effort, professionalism and teamwork throughout this year of immense adversity. I am proud of all of you and thank you all for your continued efforts in keeping our Nation safe and our citizens secure. Respectfully, Bob Duffy

LGA TSO Featured on CNBC Documentary on COVID.

CNBC posted this tweet with a three-minute “preview” of Wednesday 10/14/2020 night’s segment on CNBC at 8PM. This segment focuses on TSO Michelle Virgilio

 

https://twitter.com/thenewsoncnbc/status/1315782800159596546

LGA TSA installs Acrylic barriers at Security Checkpoints.

Below are links to the news release and news clips that spotted online related to the recent/ongoing installation of acrylic barriers at LGA checkpoints.

 

News release: https://www.tsa.gov/news/press/releases/2020/09/10/tsa-installing-acrylic-barriers-laguardia-airport-help-protect

 

Airport Technology: https://www.airport-technology.com/news/tsa-laguardia-acrylic-barrier/

 

Fox 5: https://www.fox5ny.com/news/virus-barriers-going-up-at-laguardia-airport-security-checkpoints

 

WCBS TV 2: https://newyork.cbslocal.com/video/4702854-tsa-sets-up-new-protective-barriers-at-laguardia-airport/

 

Metropolitan Airport News: https://metroairportnews.com/tsa-is-installing-acrylic-barriers-at-laguardia-airport-to-help-protect-against-coronavirus/

 

Newsbreak: https://www.newsbreak.com/new-york/new-york/news/2058400524838/tsa-is-installing-acrylic-barriers-at-laguardia-airport-to-help-protect-against-coronavirus

 

Tech Security Update: https://www.techsecurityupdate.com/tsa-installs-acrylic-barriers-at-security-checkpoints-in-laguardia-airport-airport-technology/

 

In Remembrance- September 11 2001

In Remembrance

 

Today, Friday, September 11, 2020, we will stop to remember those who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.  All of our checkpoints will halt screening operations at 0846 and observe a moment of silence in memory of when American Airlines flight 11 struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center.  We will halt screening operations again at 0903 to observe a second moment of silence in memory of when United Airlines flight 175 struck the South Tower of the World Trade Center.

Nineteen years ago the United States was viciously attacked by 19 terrorists who hijacked four commercial aircraft and changed the course of our nation.  Those acts of terrorism also served as the catalyst for the creation of our Transportation Security Administration.  We will never forget the nearly 3,000 people who died on that terrible day.  In the nineteen years since 9/11, we continue to honor their memory by resolving to never again allow terrorists to successfully attack our Nation, our citizens and our way of life.  

 

As we look back in remembrance, let us reflect on the courage of the first responders that day, and the perseverance of the American people.  Let’s also take the time to re-commit ourselves to something far greater than ourselves as individuals; the oath of office that we all took, to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.  We are all patriots from different backgrounds united in our commitment to our Nation and to a simple creed: “Not on my watch”.  May God bless you, your families, the Transportation Security Administration and the United States of America.             

 

Robert A. Duffy

Federal Security Director

United States Department of Homeland Security

Transportation Security Administration

Weekly Update

DATE:              September 4, 2020

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

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

SUBJECT:        Weekly Update

 

As I write this week’s update, it is hard to believe that it is now Labor Day weekend.  I hope you were all able to find some time to enjoy this summer.

 

This summer, like most of 2020, has been very unusual for this normally very busy time of year.  LGA just hit the 11,000 passenger mark for a single day yesterday, September 3, for the first time this summer.  Last summer we had multiple days top 60,000 passengers and one day was over 61,000.  As we head into the fall, there is no expectation of significant increases in passenger volume until at least Thanksgiving.  HPN remains without any commercial flights until October.  We learned that American will be leaving SWF again on October 7 and is expected to return in early November.  West Jet has left LGA with a possible return to service in November.  Southwest has reduced its flight schedule at ISP, but will still be the largest carrier at ISP.

 

At LGA, construction continues on Lanes 10-15 in Terminal B.  We expect those lanes to be completed, tested and approved for service by the second week of October.  Upon becoming operational, we are currently planning to begin several pilot programs for those new lanes.  A remote resolution room will be installed between lane 16 and the LGP Airport Operations Center.  This pilot will remove all x-ray operators from the lanes, and have them operate the x-rays from the remote location.  We expect this will lead to greater effectiveness in the detection of prohibited items in carry-on bags.  X-ray operators will not be distracted by passengers, other officers or by looking at the passenger queue to see how long the lines are.   

 

The second pilot program will be the installation of Ultra Violet (UV) lights over the return belts in the Automated Screening Lanes (ASL).  The purpose of this program is to test the ability of the UV lights to disinfect the passenger property bins immediately after use when they are on the return belt going back to the front of the ASL.  UV light is known to be a natural disinfectant.

 

The third pilot program is for a touchless TDC process.  The company that made our CAT units is working on a modification to the ID portal so that the ID card reader and passport reader will be turned 180 degrees to face the passenger and allow them to scan their ID or passport.  The video screen will still face our officer so we can view the information, use the controls to check for the security features of an ID, etc.  As you know, we have turned the ID portals to the side (90 degrees) for passengers to scan their ID, but a number of officers have expressed their discomfort with having a passenger stepping alongside the TDC podium and close to our officer’s working/personal space.  There will be more information to follow as we get closer to the start-up of these initiatives. 

 

Next week at LGA, Delta Airlines will be training 12 bus drivers to be certified to drive passenger buses on the AOA.  Once the drivers are trained and badged for LGA, Delta will begin a new AOA shuttle bus service.  This is due to the need to tear down the passenger foot bridge between Terminals C and D to make way for the new Terminal C construction.  The shuttle buses will make three stops: Terminal C, Gate C44; Terminal D, Gate D6 and Terminal D, Concourse G, Gate 97.  TSA personnel may use the buses when there is a need to travel between Terminals C and D.  Regulatory Inspector, ATLAS team officers and officers who are needed to assist the adjacent terminal are examples.  This is one more step closer to the completion of the new Terminal C which is currently planned to open some time in the first quarter of 2022 or about 18 months from now.

 

Soon, you will see information coming out from John Kolk concerning the CBA ratification process.  You will recall that the voting began earlier this year and then had to be stopped due to the pandemic.  TSA and AFGE are in agreement that it is time to complete that vote this fall.  Voting will start on September 21 and finish on October 26.  This vote is for Bargaining Unit Employees only.  Management must remain neutral on the ratification and can’t express any opinion on any provision of the proposed CBA.  The current CBA will remain in effect until a successor CBA is ratified by the bargaining unit members. 

I have seen an improvement in our FET testing results.  The detection of prohibited items at the passenger and checked baggage screening checkpoints is at the heart of why the TSA was created.  If we fail in our detection responsibilities, then we will fail in our mission.  We are using a three pronged approach to drive improvement in detection:

 

1.       Thorough knowledge of screening SOPs

2.       Resolving all alarms as a team (2 or more people involved)

3.       Counteracting complacency

As we have discussed many times in the past, we can show through our covert testing that when our officers understand and follow the SOPs, they pass the tests.  When we have two or more officers working together as a team, we effectively resolve the alarms.  Whenever we act alone to resolve alarms, it usually leads to failure.  Not knowing, understanding or following the SOPs leads to failure.  The failure to follow an SOP or ask for help to resolve an alarm are examples of complacency.  Complacency is the biggest challenge to overcome.  We are working on that at this time.  I am interested in hearing ideas from you about how we can address the complacency problem.  Please e-mail any ideas you have.

 

Later this month, the annual Federal Employees Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) will go out to all TSA employees.  I highly encourage all of you to take the time to complete the survey.  You can do it while at work, and the results are used to drive improvements.  The best ideas on how we can improve come from you in Screening, Regulatory and Mission Support who carry out the TSA mission every day.  Also, let us know what we are doing well so we can continue to excel in those areas.  Consider how can I and the leadership team best serve all of you. 

 

Lastly, I want to notify all of you that Deputy FSD Matt McKeon was asked to serve as the Acting FSD for the State of Wyoming for 90 days, and Matt has accepted the offer to serve in that assignment.  Matt will be leaving LGA the week of September 21 and will be in Wyoming through the end of 2020.  The need for this assignment came as a result of the FSD in Wyoming taking the FSD position in St. Louis.  Matt will be the Acting FSD while the selection process for a new FSD is taking place.  I know you all join me in wishing Matt well in this new assignment and are confident that he will be successful. 

 

Thank you all for your continued outstanding effort to safeguard the traveling public every day.  Your continued dedication, perseverance and fortitude are always inspiring.  Please take some time to enjoy this holiday weekend.  The weather is predicted to be outstanding for the entire weekend, so get outside and spend time with your family and friends, but please use good judgement and stay safe.

 

It is my privilege to serve you.

Thank you,

Bob

 

Robert A. Duffy

Federal Security Director

Message to Workforce Concerning Harassment

 

DATE:         August 27, 2020

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

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

SUBJECT:  Message to Workforce Concerning Harassment

 

This year has proven to be extremely challenging to all of us.  Clearly the COVID-19 pandemic has been the biggest threat to us from a health and financial perspective.  Many of us have been directly impacted by COVID-19.  It has also caused financial hardship to families who have been out of work or had businesses close.  Some of our people have been affected by the MTA shut down overnight in New York City.  Many of our people have been impacted by the rioting and civil disorder in their New York City neighborhoods.  Our children had to be kept out of school.  

Through all of these difficulties, we have overcome the obstacles and continued to carry on with the TSA mission; working together as a team.  We have had successes in opening the new Terminal B at LGA and adapted our training to virtual from actual.  We adjusted schedules to afford everyone more time off from work, and have made the adjustment to working from home for our Mission Support team while still meeting the administrative and operational needs of our four airports.  Meetings are now on a conference call rather than in-person.  This was all accomplished through the outstanding efforts of all of you working together.

It is in that spirit of teamwork and unity of purpose that I take this opportunity to remind everyone of the need for all of us to maintain a professional and respectful work environment at all times.  That includes treating everyone with common courtesy, dignity and respect all day, every day.  Administrator Pekoske made it clear in 2018 that there is zero tolerance for any harassment in our workplaces.  Harassment can come in many forms, and includes unwelcome conduct that creates an intimidating, offensive or hostile environment.  Various forms of harassment include:

·         Race

·         Ethnicity

·         Religion

·         Sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy)

·         National Origin

·         Age (40 and over)

·         Disability

·         Genetic Information

·         Reprisal

Be assured that harassment of any kind in any of our workplaces at LGA, HPN, ISP and SWF will never be tolerated.  If you feel you are being harassed, report it immediately to both your supervisor and to Nushrat Amin in Employee Relations.  All allegations will be taken seriously and acted upon immediately.  

I am responsible for your safety and well-being.  I take that responsibility and obligation seriously.  Let’s take the same determination and perseverance used to overcome the challenges we have all faced this year, and apply them to caring about and respecting each other.

Thank you all for your attention to this important matter.        

 

 

 

Robert A. Duffy

Federal Security Director

W&S Day

Good Afternoon Team,

 

I need your help.

 

A few weeks ago we authorized that those Officers who are up to date on their national training plan (NTP) would be eligible to add an extra Weather & Safety (W&S) day to their shift schedule each week.  Many Officers took advantage of this incentive program, and it has yielded a very high NTP completion rate.  As a reminder…..in order to keep the W&S day, Officers must keep their NTP up to date or risk losing the W&S day.   

 

It has been noted by management, however, that several Officers have decided to bridge their RDOs with their W&S day by “calling-out”, giving them four days in a row of off-duty time.  This is NOT acceptable.

 

Effective today, if management suspects you of tying your RDOs and W&S day together using a call-out, you will receive one warning to cease and desist.

 

If you are again found combining your RDOs and W&S day with a call-out, you will lose the W&S day permanently.

 

Management will continue monitoring attendance closely and if it is found that this trend continues across the workforce, we will have no choice but to terminate the incentive program and remove the W&S day from all Officers.

 

Please do not be reason this incentive program is terminated.  Do the right thing…..enjoy the RDOs and W&S day, but do not turn them into a four day vacation.

 

Thanks!

 

V/r,

Matt McKeon

Deputy Federal Security Director

Extra RDO Policy

Good Afternoon Team,

 

As a result of the recent decline in passenger throughput due to the recent quarantine policy imposed by the State of New York, we have an opportunity to offer more Weather & Safety leave to the workforce.

 

Effective immediately, any STSO and below who completes their annual National Training Plan and On-line Learning Center training requirements will be granted an extra RDO each pay period.  Once annual training requirements are complete, the Officer must contact their TSM for verification/validation.  The TSM will provide the Officer’s name and requested RDO to their assigned TSM I-band, who will provide name/requested RDO to LGA Staffing and Scheduling.  LGA Staffing and Scheduling will assess the operational impact and grant the requested RDO, or assign a different RDO compatible with operational needs.  LGA Staffing and Scheduling will formally adjust the schedule and advise the affected Officer and the Officer’s STSO and TSM.

 

This policy will remain in place until further notice.

 

LGA management retains the right to revoke an Officer’s extra RDO for attendance or other disciplinary reasons.

 

V/r,

Matt McKeon

Deputy Federal Security Director

Transportation Security Administration

LaGuardia/Long Island MacArthur/Westchester County/New York Stewart Int’l Airports

75-20 Astoria Blvd, Suite 300

East Elmhurst, NY 11370

W: 718-340-0039

C: 718-734-8843

matthew.mckeon@tsa.dhs.gov<mailto:matthew.mckeon@tsa.dhs.gov>