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TSA not planning airport style security upgrades for Amtrak stations
The Transportation Security Administration said Amtrak stations and other rail travel will not be subject to the same security screening procedures taking place at airports.
According to TSA Administrator David Pekoske, current security procedures are ‘adequate’ for Amtrak riders.
Pekoske was in New York speaking to the media following last week’s truck attack which killed eight people in Lower Manhattan.
"We don’t intend to roll out anything like what we have in the airports. We are satisfied at his point," he said.
He said current random checks of passengers and the level of security and police coverage at stations, including sniffer canines, is sufficient without the need to screen every passenger.
Pekoske said the ‘continuous vetting process’ of the five million-plus people enrolled in TSA’s PreCheck program is an on-going priority.
The subject of rail station vulnerabilities was raised at Pekoske’s confirmation hearing as TSA Administrator in June and lawmakers have described the railroad system as a ‘soft target for mass-casualty attacks’ even as air travel security has been strengthened.
More rigorous passenger screening was rolled out recently at the nation’s airports for in-bound flights which may include security interviews with passengers at check-in and when boarding.
This was imposed to avoid a cabin ban on laptops and other large electronic devices.
In addition all domestic airline passengers are required to remove all electronic items bjgger than mobile phones and place them in screening trays.
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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.
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