Lawmakers pressed Transportation Security Administration officials Thursday on why executives had received generous, taxpayer-funded bonuses while security on the front lines of airports has deteriorated.
Rep. Jason Chaffetz, chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, cited as an example the assistant administrator of the office of security operations, who received “an amazing amount of bonuses” while his department “was in total failure.”
“Not to pick on one person, but this is what’s so frustrating when the rank and file sees this,” Chaffetz said of the low morale plaguing the TSA. “In 13 months, he gets $90,000 in bonuses.”
Chaffetz pointed to recent security tests that showed covert inspectors posing as passengers had made it through TSA checkpoints with weapons and other prohibited items.
Peter Neffenger, the TSA administrator, admitted the hefty sum paid to Kelly Hogan, the assistant administrator of the office of security operations, was inappropriate.
“I don’t think that level of bonuses was justified, period,” Neffenger said during a hearing on TSA mismanagement.
Rep. Gerald Connolly, D-Va., questioned organizational lapses that have pushed wait times for airline passengers to “unacceptable” levels.
Connolly cited complaints from American Airlines, which said 7,000 of its customers missed their flights in the month of March alone due to long airport security lines.
“We’re not dealing with cattle, we’re dealing with people,” Connolly said.
Chaffetz noted the high turnover at TSA has resulted in 103 security screeners quitting the agency each week.
Rep. Lacy Clay, D-Mo., said many of the TSA’s problems may stem from the fact that staff levels have fallen while passenger volumes have increased.
“I think we have a shortage of staff across the system,” Neffenger said of his agency. “I’d like to get them some more help.”
