Text of Senator Charles Schumer's Letter to Kenneth M. Mead, Inspector General United States Department of Transportation

Dear Mr. Mead:

I am writing to respectfully request that your office investigate recent allegations that Transportation Security Administration (TSA) certification tests were compromised when instructors provided students with answers right before the test was taken.

As I am sure you are aware, baggage screeners must pass a certification test after 40 hours of classroom instruction. This past weekend, security screeners at LaGuardia Airport indicated that in at least 2 cases, instructors gave out answers to these tests right before the test was actually administered. Clearly, if this truly happened, the rigorous training that the TSA demands will have been undermined.

I understand the TSA disputes these reports, which is why I am asking for an Inspector General investigation into the matter. Our national security is too important to let any allegation as serious as these go unchecked. If it turns out that the tests were not compromised, then there will have been no harm done. However, if on the other hand, it turns out answers were given, clearly a new testing procedure will then need to be put in place. America needs to be assured that the people checking their baggage at our airports know what they are doing and can protect us against a terrorist attack.

I recognize that the TSA is working extremely hard at the gargantuan task of securing our airports, but we still must be vigilant in ensuring that this job is being done in the best possible way. In this post 9/11 world, we cannot simply rest assured when a spokesman says allegations are not true. An independent investigation by the Inspector General's office is the only way to ensure that these certification tests are being administered in a way that does not compromise this nation's security.

As always, my office is ready to assist in this matter in any way possible.

Sincerely,
Charles E. Schumer
United States Senator