Security Policy Alert: Additional Input Needed - Best Practices for Badging Continuity of Operations
As AAAE previously reported, TSA has posted on the Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN) a template for an Alternative Measure (AM) aimed, in part, at providing relief for the badge renewal process for airport operators who intend to or have temporarily discontinued credentialing operations. To further clarify, based on feedback that we have received from both TSA and individual airports, the AM is a template only and airport operators may work with their Federal Security Director (FSD) to customize solutions that best suit their needs during this unprecedented time.
To that end, we wanted to share some of the best practices and locally approved regulatory relief measures that airports have shared with AAAE staff and in the AAAE Hub in the COVID-19 community. These measures are particularly effective for credentialing offices seeking to remain open or open with modified hours.
- Utilizing scheduling programs to space out appointments
- Removing chairs and/or workstations to enforce social distancing
- Limiting but not ceasing operations (i.e. reduced hours or reduced days of the week)
- Creating "A" and "B" badging office staff teams with alternate work schedules to minimize exposure
- Reducing touchpoints, such as taking a picture of IDs for ID verification, reusing badge photos for badge renewals, batch printing expiring ID media for quicker issue
- Working with your FSD for an AM to suspend badge renewals through a date certain.
In addition, as AAAE has also reported, TSA has messaged to their own workforce several operational flexibilities to reduce contact and increase distance between employees and passengers. AAAE has been assured that this approach of operational flexibility also been applied to airport-facing measures, such as ATLAS employee inspections. Airport operators should work closely with their local TSA to apply operational flexibilities in other areas such as in-person badging processes, SIDA badge challenges, and physical audits. At the same time, AAAE continues to work with TSA on any nationwide regulatory relief measures that may be needed at this time.
To that end, please continue to share best practices and local regulatory relief measures and we will continue to compile and share them with other airports seeking to maintain continuity of credentialing operations amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. AAAE and its Transportation Security Clearinghouse is also looking ahead for creative and flexible options to maintain modified operations, reopen badging offices, accelerate backlogs of badge renewals and quickly process new applicants. As AAAE proactively works with TSA and others on these challenges, please let us know what you see as significant obstacles and innovative approaches that meet the need in the coming days and weeks.
If you haven't already done so, we again encourage you to make use of AAAE's Member Hub, an interactive online community to help airport members stay in close communication which can be particularly valuable in times of irregular operations. Please visit the thread dedicated to these issues on the AAAE COVID-19 Hub to join the conversation.
If you have any further inputs on staffing strategies, potential Alternative Measures, or other operational modifications you would like us to include in our best practices document, please contact Colleen Chamberlain, AAAE's VP for Security Policy and Sarah Pilli, AAAE's VP of Services.
As a reminder, remote training options are available. AAAE offers several non-custom training courses including for SIDA and Authorized Signatory training which are available in an online format for individuals to take from any location. If you are interested in additional information on which online training solutions may work best for your airport, please contact Kyle.Herbig@aaae.org.
