TSA chief: improvements made at Newark Airport - New York News | NYC Breaking News

TSA chief: improvements made at Newark Airport

Fox 5 has obtained the official memo from the TSA regarding recent security breaches at Newark Liberty International Airport. The report details three security breaches over a 12-hour period at the airport last month. It also points out specific security changes that have been made at the airport since then.

But top security officials say they are unhappy with the information.

The powerful head of the House Homeland Security Committee is putting the TSA on notice that it has to shape up fast or else show up for a grilling at a public hearing.

It is all because of security breaches here that inconvenienced thousands of passengers.

It was a travel nightmare in august many wanted to forget: 3 TSA security breaches and terminal shutdowns in a 12-hour period forced canceled flights, and even overnight delays. In one incident, a woman who tested positive for explosives residue was allowed to get on a plane and fly away unchecked.

Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., demanded answers from the TSA. Fox 5 learned exclusively that he got a 5-page response.

"Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials at EWR have made substantial improvements to their screening operations to help prevent future security incidents," TSA Administrator John Pistole said in the memo. "EWR has improved and streamlined its processes in regard to remedial training and discipline of individuals involved in security incidents."

The TSA said it has improved communications with Port Authority police and briefed all TSA shifts on the need to pay attention to detail.

King, as chair of the homeland security committee, said he plans to make sure their actions live up to their words.

King has ordered his staff to monitor TSA operations over the next few months. If he doesn't like what he sees, he said he'll call for a formal hearing where TSA officials will have to answer questions under oath.