San Antonio International Airport Unveils New Passenger Screening Canine Program: Additional Layer Of Security

Press release from the City of San Antonio:

June 28, 2021

San Antonio - San Antonio International Airport (SAT) in partnership with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the TSA Canine Training Program signed a Memorandum of Agreement to introduce the new Passenger Screening Canines (PSCs) program. These highly trained canine teams will add an extra layer of security and protection for travelers throughout the airport.

The dogs selected for this highly sensitive program come directly from the TSA's Canine Training facility right here in San Antonio. The $12 million training facility is located at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland and trains canines and their handlers to detect explosive materials on passengers and within their luggage. These canine teams undergo 12-16 weeks of intensive training and must ultimately demonstrate proficiency in four key elements before they are allowed into transportation security service. These key areas include the canine's ability to recognize explosives; the handler's ability to interpret the canine's change in behavior; the handler's ability to conduct logical and systematic searches; and the team's ability to locate the explosives odor and its source.

Several congressmen along with airport and city officials have worked diligently over the past few years to bring this program to San Antonio. Jesus H. Saenz, Jr., IAP, Director of Airports, San Antonio Airport System says, "The magnitude of this agreement will positively impact the airport, travelers and the community as well. The Passenger Screening Canines add an enhanced level of security to our operation."

These special PSC teams work daily at high volume airports across the country. There are over 1,000 TSA canine teams allocated to cover airports, mass transit systems and maritime systems across the U.S., and they have become the most effective and efficient way to detect explosive materials. TSA uses a variety of canine breeds for explosive detection, and they must pass strict pre-acceptance standards to ensure that the dogs possess the health, temperament, and critical characteristics essential to being able to handle stressful explosive detection work.

“The TSA canine program is a great example of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies working together to protect the travelling public”, said Jesus Presas, TSA Federal Security Director for the San Antonio International Airport. "The signing of this important agreement would not have happened without the work and dedication of many people. I am proud to welcome Passenger Screening Canine teams to San Antonio, and I stand with our partners, and look forward to continued cooperation with our airport teams and the travelling public to make every passenger's experience a safe and positive one."

Travelers through SAT will begin to notice these amazing canine teams at security checkpoints as early as fall just in time for holiday travel. These specialty dogs are beautiful and may look friendly, the public is asked not to engage with them or distract them as they work to keep our airport safe. The teams are trained to seamlessly maneuver through busy crowds sniffing for explosive odors on passengers and their luggage. If the dog alerts its handler to the presence of an explosive, the TSA will follow established procedures to inspect and resolve the alarm.

Explosives are known to be the greatest threat to the civil aviation system right now, and this PSC program is the most effective means of detecting explosive materials. SAT will have four PSC teams working together to thwart any potential security threats, especially at airport checkpoints, and travelers can feel confident and secure that their safety is a top priority here in San Antonio.

This press release was produced by the City of San Antonio. The views expressed here are the author’s own.