TSA Re-focusing on Shoe-scanning Detection

TSA is redirecting their attention back to shoes. According to the Office of Federal Business Opportunities, TSA wants a shoe-scanning device that can detect threat objects concealed in footwear without requiring passengers to remove their footwear as they pass through a security checkpoint. These threat objects include a wide variety of military, commercial and homemade explosives or explosives devices.

According to TSA, the removal of footwear takes time, reduces the efficiency of the checkpoint, creates safety concerns with footwear removal and contributes to passenger dissatisfaction. In addition, scanning footwear through the X-ray machine increases the volume of items that the TSA agents at the X-ray machine must visually screen.

With new SSD technology, TSA hopes to reduce the number of passengers required to remove their footwear, perform screening without increasing TSA agent staffing levels and increase overall operational throughput.

TSA's $30 Million Blunder

As reported by Dallas' NBC5 News, trace explosive detectors used by airports have proved to be ineffective. In a rush to provide the public with some peace of mind and a deterrent to terrorists, TSA rushed these puffer machines into service.

The machine works by releasing multiple puffs of air at a passenger standing in the portal. Air particles are then analyzed and identified in seconds. If explosive or narcotic compounds are detected, the machine alarms. However, it was found that dirt, debris and humidity render these machines useless in the real world.

These machines have been pulled from service and are now sitting in a warehouse. This $30 million blunder continues to cause problems for TSA, who according to NBC5 News, has confirmed these findings.