Increased Security May Be Coming To An Airport Near You

It's official. A newly-emboldened Transportation Security Administration is taking a hard line when it comes to security at airports served by both commercial airline and general aviation traffic in the form of "Operation Playbook"... a program the TSA tried, and failed, to implement late last year. Industry sources tell ANN a revised form of "Playbook" will soon go into effect at many airports nationwide.

Below is the text of a Security Alert issued this week by the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) about the program:

In response to concerns raised by AAAE and airport operators regarding TSA's Operation Playbook, TSA is re-launching the initiative and has provided the attached information. TSA will no longer require airport operators interested in participating in Operation Playbook to adopt a comprehensive Airport Security Program (ASP) amendment. Rather, TSA encourages airports that are interested in participating to sign a Memorandum of Agreement which broadly outlines the roles and responsibilities of TSA and the participating airport under Operation Playbook. A copy of the MOA template is also attached. It is important to note that Operation Playbook remains a voluntary program for airport operators and signing the MOA is optional as well.

Operation Playbook is a TSA initiative designed to increase the unpredictability and flexibility of security measures by working cooperatively and collaboratively with airport operators and local law enforcement to deploy a series of security plays that maximize limited resources while effectively enhancing a layered approach to security.

Operation Playbook was piloted at six airports, including DCA, PIT, DTW, IND, STL and Columbus. Following-up on the success of the pilot programs, TSA attempted to roll the program out to all airports late last year through a proposed ASP amendment; however, airports operators had serious concerns about the scope and content of the ASP amendment and did not adopt it. As a result, TSA has withdrawn the proposed ASP amendment and has provided the optional MOA in its place. Again, the MOA is optional but TSA strongly encourages airports to sign the MOA to codify their local working relationships with TSA under Operation Playbook.

Federal Security Directors have once again been briefed on Operation Playbook and also provided a copy of the MOA template. Airports interested in participating in Operation Playbook should work with their local FSD.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact the AAAE Security Policy staff with any questions or comments related to Operation Playbook. Your feedback is important as we continue to work with TSA to ensure that implementation of this initiative matches TSA’s intent of promoting locally crafted security solutions that drive increased awareness, deterrence, and detection while generating operational efficiencies.

Aero-News has also reviewed copies of the TSA documents cited above pertaining to the new program, including the Memorandum of Agreement to be signed by officials at participating airports and TSA.

The program appears to focus primarily on improved airport surveillance... in the form of increased, nonspecific security patrols (i.e, patrols conducted at random times) and random checks of personnel -- including pilots -- on the ramp at participating airports.

As stated by AAAE, TSA notes "Operation Playbook" is a voluntary program... but the impetus is clearly on airports to concede to the TSA guidelines, despite the fact those facilities will be responsible for all costs incurred on their side to comply with requirements of the agreement.

To counter opposition to the plan, TSA also helpfully provided a set of "talking points" to pitch the agency's side of "Operation Playbook." Among the gems:

• "Faced with a patient, adaptable enemy, TSA has migrated from a static, rigid security approach to a more nimble, flexible and unpredictable one."
• "As the agency continues to evolve, introducing new layers of security, there are now more opportunities than ever to counter an enemy that adapts attack plans and methods around known security protocols. The challenge is not only countering today’s known threat but future, unknown threats as well."
• "TSA has changed the way we do business. Specific security measures will vary from airport to airport and day to day in order to counter an enemy that specifically designs attacks around known security protocols."

It's worth noting "Operation Playbook" is separate from, and does not specifically reference, recent meetings conducted by TSA officials concerning mandatory security clearances to be issued to GA pilots using facilities at airports also served by commercial traffic. Those tactics aren't an expressed part of "Playbook," though are clearly intended to be a complimentary component to the program.

ANN is in contact with a number of industry personnel, including general aviation "letter groups," about their take on the potential ramifications of "Playbook" and other TSA policies. You can bet they'll be weighing in soon on the new policies.

It seems clear we're entering a new era of airport security... whether we like it or not, and nevermind how effective (or not) such tactics may prove to be in practice.

Stay tuned... this is only the beginning.

FMI: www.tsa.gov, www.aaae.org