Travel Document Checker (TDC)
Layers of Security
In June 2007, a layer of aviation security was added when TSA assumed travel document checking responsibilities from airline contractors. Specially trained Transportation Security Officers (TSOs), using black lights and magnifying loupes, are positioned in front of the checkpoint to check passengers' boarding passes and identification, a system now in place at every airport in the country. Since the program was implemented, security officers performing document checking duties have found thousands of suspect, illegible or expired documents, including passports, visas and drivers licenses.
Having these specially trained officers conduct travel document checking significantly increases security. Individuals with fraudulent or suspect documents are referred to law enforcement for closer scrutiny and investigation instead of proceeding to the boarding gate.
In addition to the security benefit, this program is a continuation of TSA's job enrichment effort to expand the skill base of security officers. Officers in the program receive training that teaches them how to recognize fraud-prevention features embedded in government-issued identification documents. The training also includes discerning behavioral cues and interview techniques that have proven successful in identifying passengers whose behavior warrants additional screening.
Travel Document Checking Success Stories
Julia Valentine, a TSO at Phoenix
Sky Harbor, checks fraud-prevention
features on a government-issued
identification.
December 2007
- A document checking security officer in Michigan identified two individuals with fraudulent documents. He became suspicious when the numbers on one passenger's passport looked different, and the ink rubbed off when he ran his finger over the numbers. The other passenger's visa had expired. Both passengers were interviewed by law enforcement officers, as well as officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), who confirmed that documents were fraudulent. Both passengers were arrested.
- In California, a document checking security officer caught a passenger attempting to pass through the checkpoint with false identification. The officer notified law enforcement. Although the name on the identification was false, the drivers license number was correct and the passenger had numerous other names associated with him as well. The FBI and CBP were notified, and the passenger was arrested.
November 2007
- A Colorado passenger was arrested after security officers performing document checking duties determined his passport was altered. Further investigation indicated that the passenger was in the country illegally and wanted by authorities after failing to appear for a court hearing on his immigration status.
- TSA's document checkers in Florida caught a passenger with an expired passport that had a tampered photo. Customs and Border Patrol officers arrested the passenger for illegally being in the United States for the past five years.
October 2007
- In California, a passenger presented a California driver's license with evidence of tampering to the officer doing document checking duties. Local law enforcement responded and arrested the passenger for using fraudulent identification and drug possession.
- A Maryland passenger was arrested for possession of fraudulent government IDs after the document checking security officer noted that his Maryland drivers license appeared suspect. At the security checkpoint, the passenger exhibited suspicious behavior and was screened by behavior detection officers who found $7,500 in cash. The passenger's drivers license was determined to be fraudulent, and his name was not the name on the license. The $7,500 tested positive for large traces of cocaine, and was seized by airport detectives. The passenger was arrested and charged with displaying fraudulent government ID and possession of a fraudulent government ID.
- A Georgia passenger was arrested after presenting a TSA document checker with a US permanent resident card that had someone else's picture on it. The passenger was escorted back to the airline counter, who denied boarding to the passenger.
September 2007
- A Maryland passenger presented an ID with someone else's picture on it to the document checker along with her boarding pass. The passenger was sent for additional screening, at which time a security officer found other IDs and credit cards with other names on them. Airport police arrested the passenger, who was charged with four counts of fraudulent ID, one count of displaying government ID belong to someone else, one count of credit card theft, and one count of receiving and retaining a lost credit card.
August 2007
- After TSA officers provided counterfeit identification training to Nevada airport authority staff, the authority staff requested assistance in the verification of identifications provided by some airport contractor employees. The airport authority suspected several recent Permanent Resident Identification Cards and Social Security Cards produced as identification to get access to secure areas of the airport may have been counterfeit. After TSA officers found two airport employees had submitted counterfeit identification, the employees were interviewed by ICE and arrested.
July 2007
- A Baltimore passenger presented himself to the TSA document checker and stated that he had no visa or passport, his other identification was in California, and that he was not a US resident and currently working in Maryland. During the physical bag search, security officers found a social security card, permanent resident card and California ID card. While inspecting the documents with the black light and magnifying loupe, the Social Security card, Permanent Residence card and California ID were all determined to be fraudulent. The passenger was detained by local law enforcement and then later deported by ICE deportation officers.
