TSA chief removed after security failures
The acting director of the Transportation Security Administration has been removed from his post following a report highlighting widespread security screening failures at several major airports.
Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said Melvin Carraway has been reassigned to another post at the Department ‘with immediate effect.’
"I thank Melvin Carraway for his eleven years of service to TSA and his 36 years of public service," Johnson said in the statement.
He will be replaced by Mark Hatfield in the interim, until the likely appointment of Coast Guard Vice Admiral Pete Neffenger, who was nominated for the permanent post by President Barack Obama earlier this year.
A recent DHS report highlighted flaws by TSA officers in spotting fake explosives and weapons carried through checkpoints by undercover Homeland Security agents.
In 70 attempts, DHS ‘red team’ agents carrying mock explosives and weapons managed to get through unopposed on 67 occasions.
"The numbers in these reports never look good out of context but they are a critical element in the continual evolution of our aviation security," Johnson said.
"We take these findings very seriously in our continued effort to test, measure and enhance our capabilities and techniques as threats evolve."
Johnson said unannounced covert testing of TSA screening standards at the nation’s airports would continue.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Skyscanner reveals major travel trends 2026 at ITB Asia
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements