The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is the federal agency responsible for securing U.S. transportation systems. Formed shortly after the tragedies of September 11, the agency is part of the Department of Homeland Security. The TSA is responsible for the screening of passengers and their belongings at the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport. For a comprehensive travel guide regarding information associated with TSA screening, please click here.
Articles and Press Releases Relevant to Safety and Security
CBP, TSA Provide Reminders and Travel Tips to Summer Travelers
WASHINGTON, May 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In anticipation of the ummer travel season, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) joined efforts to provide travel tips to summer travelers.
CBP and TSA recently implemented initiatives to facilitate travel while protecting the homeland against various threats. With the summer travel season rapidly approaching, the two agencies want to educate travelers about these initiatives in order to make their travel experience a more enjoyable one.
CBP reminds travelers:
U.S. citizens traveling abroad must have approved travel documents when returning home.
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) requires U.S. and Canadian citizens, age 16 and older to present a valid, acceptable travel document that denotes both identity and citizenship when entering the U.S. by land or sea. U.S. and Canadian citizens under age 16 may present a birth certificate or alternative proof of citizenship when entering by land or sea.
A radio frequency identification (RFID)-enabled travel document such as a U.S. Passport Card, Enhanced Driver's License/Enhanced Identification Card or Trusted Traveler Program card expedites entry and makes crossing the border more efficient.
All nationals or citizens of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries are now required to have an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to boarding a carrier to travel by air or sea to the U.S. under the VWP. CBP continues to facilitate the entry process for VWP travelers into the U.S. by implementing the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) requirement on January 12, 2009.
Other programs that facilitate the entry process for international travelers coming into the country to visit, study or conduct legitimate business include "Trusted Traveler Programs" such as SENTRI, NEXUS and Global Entry. For more information about these programs, please visit www.cbp.gov.
Additionally, CBP offers the following travel tips:
Tip #1 – To avoid fines and penalties associated with importing prohibited items, travelers should familiarize themselves with the "Know Before You Go" section of the CBP website (http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/).
Tip #2 – Be prepared to declare all items acquired abroad. Travelers should prepare for the inspection process before arriving at the inspection booth and have their approved travel documents available for the inspection.
Tip #3 – Monitor border wait times for various ports of entry. Travelers should consult the CBP website for hourly updates when planning trips and identifying periods of light use/short waits. During periods of heavy travel, border crossers may wish to consider alternative, less heavily traveled entry routes.
Tip #4 – Build extra time into the trip in the event of crossing during periods of exceptionally heavy traffic.
Tip #5 – Know the difference between goods for personal use versus commercial use. For more details, visit www.cbp.gov/travel.
Tip #6 – Do not attempt to bring fruits, meats, dairy/poultry products and firewood into the U.S. from Canada without first checking whether they are permitted.
Tip # 7 – During the holiday travel season, international border crossers should continue to expect a thorough inspection process when entering the U.S. from Canada. Understand that CBP officers have the authority to conduct enforcement examinations without a warrant, ranging from a single luggage examination up to and possibly including a personal search.
TSA reminds travelers:
As the busy summer travel season approaches, TSA reminds travelers to be prepared and plan ahead for security. Passengers who are prepared for the security process can streamline the process overall at the checkpoint.
Since the attempted terrorist attack on Christmas Day, TSA has accelerated its deployment of Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) and expanded the use of Explosive Trace Detection (ETD) technology.
Passengers should be prepared to encounter security measures that could occur on a random basis at various locations in the airport environment. This could include the use of ETD to screen carry-on items and hands-as well as explosives detection canine teams, bottled liquid screening technology, behavior detection officers, and AIT.
Our highly trained security officers are prepared for the increase in passenger volumes and are dedicated to ensuring safe travels. TSA will be fully staffed and prepared to address the needs of the traveling public this summer.
Additionally, TSA offers the following travel tips:
Tip #1 – Passengers can help speed up the screening process by packing their carry-ons in an organized manner. This helps our officers efficiently see what's inside to quickly process it through screening.
Tip #2 – Existing procedures like 3-1-1 and removing shoes and laptops for screening remain in place.
Tip #3 – TSA has Family Lanes at every security checkpoint which are designed for passengers with special needs of those who may need more time to process through the security checkpoint.
Tip #4 – Remember these three simple steps for security:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
SOURCE Transportation Security Administration; Customs and Border Protection
Family members who want to accompany a military service member being deployed to the boarding gate or greet them returning from deployment at the arrival gate may receive passes to enter the secure area of the airport.
Interested military family members should contact their air carrier representative at the departure/arrival airport for proper local procedures.
Under the Secure Flight rule, commercial airline passengers will see many benefits to air travel such as enhanced security and consistent customer service. Under Secure Flight, you will also notice that airlines will request additional information from you when making a reservation to fly within, into, out of, or over the continental United States.
Under the Secure Flight Final Rule, TSA will require airlines to collect and send to TSA the following information:
Name as it appears on government-issued I.D. used when traveling (required)
Date of Birth (required)
Gender (required)
Redress Number (optional)
Passengers are required to provide their name as it appears on their government-issued I.D. used when traveling, date of birth, and gender to allow TSA to perform watch list matching. TSA is not requiring you to provide other information such as passport information to aircraft operators. However, covered aircraft operators must send such information to TSA if it is provided by the passenger. Providing the optional information is beneficial to you as it helps ensure you are not misidentified as a person on a watch list. Secure Flight does NOT assign a score to individuals, use commercial data or predict behavior.
After making a reservation, most passengers would not experience any differences under the Final Rule from the way they travel today. Under the Secure Flight rule, as is the case today, a passenger may be selected for additional screening at the airport, or may be deemed ineligible to fly if his or her name matches one found on a watch list. Secure Flight will strive to facilitate air travel for legitimate passengers by reducing the number of individuals who are misidentified.
For those who encounter misidentification, Secure Flight will help prevent watch list name confusion by using DHS TRIP, the central processing point for redress inquiries. Requests received online will be routed for redress to the appropriate DHS components. who will review the request and reach a determination about a traveler's status. Secure Flight will use the results of the redress process in its watch list matching process to help prevent future delays for misidentified passengers.
Tips for Traveling:
Provide the required and requested information when making a reservation to fly. This information may help prevent misidentifications during the watch list matching process and help expedite your travel.
Be sure to bring the appropriate government-issued documentation when flying. Many issues related to misidentification can be resolved by providing identification. Acceptable forms of identification could include an unexpired passport issued by a foreign government; an unexpired document issued by a U.S. Federal, State, or tribal government that includes the individual's name as it appears on their government-issued I.D. used when traveling, date of birth, photograph; or other documents that TSA may designate as valid verifying identity documents.
Complete the DHS TRIP application process if you believe you were mistakenly identified as a match to the watch list. By doing so, you can help prevent future misidentifications and delays at the airport.
Arrive at the airport with ample time to check in before your flight. For most individuals, Secure Flight will expedite the check in process by reducing misidentifications, but some passengers may need to check in at the ticket counter and provide identification to proceed with check in.
Click here to find answers to many of your questions regarding Secure Flight on the "Travelers" section of the Transportation Secuirty Administration FAQ page.
Like seasonal influenza, 2009 H1N1 flu is spread primarily through person-to-person contact. Coughing and sneezing can send the virus airborne, where it can be inhaled by others. Touching surfaces or objects with the virus on them and then touching your mouth or nose also can lead to infection.
Any place where many people gather in close proximity – schools, churches, office buildings, shopping centers or airports -- provides opportunities for the virus to spread. Public areas of Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport are cleaned frequently, but facility cleaning alone cannot eliminate spread of seasonal or H1N1 influenza.
The Centers for Disease Control have provided helpful information on steps you can take to protect your health and that of others:
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then dispose of the tissue in a waste receptacle
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand cleaners, especially after you cough or sneeze
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth – entry points for the virus.
If you have a flu-like illness, stay home if possible for at least 24 hours after your fever falls below 100 degrees Fahrenheit without the use of aspirin or other fever-reducing medicine.
When you travel, consider carrying a small (3 ounces or less) bottle of alcohol-based hand cleaner or gel in your carry-on bag so you can disinfect your hands frequently, even onboard the aircraft. As you pack for your trip, be prepared by packing a supply of over-the-counter medicines and tissues in case you become ill while away. When possible, stay at least six feet apart from anyone who appears to have a flu-like illness
If you have flu-like symptoms, the best way to avoid spreading the disease is to defer travel and stay home. If you believe you may have H1N1 and cannot stay home:
Wear a facemask if tolerable or use a tissue to cover a cough or sneeze
After you cough or sneeze, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, if available, or with an alcohol-based hand cleaner to help reduce the likelihood you will spread the virus
Sit at least six feet away from others if possible in airport gate areas and restaurants
For the most up-to-date guidance on 2009 H1N1 influenza, click on the links below.
Savannah/Hilton Head Area:
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