Overview

Of all the new initiatives spurred by 9/11, the work of the TSA is probably most visible to the average American. Congress created this agency in the immediate aftermath of 9/11. By November 2001, and since then, it has promulgated new requirements for passengers traveling on airplanes that involve annoying but potentially life-saving procedures like removing your shoes, and placing your plastic baggie packed with 3 oz. bottles of liquids in that plastic bin before boarding any airplane in the United States. TSA officials screens baggage and send Federal Air Marshals on flights to monitor threats. All screening officials (almost 45,000 in FY2010) are U.S. citizens.

TSA has also worked with state and local governments to increase security on trains, buses and trucks.