The Cheap Thrill-Airport Security Measures run Wild

[clifp]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TromboneAl . All they need is one little old lady from Mujahadeena.

This is such an excellent title for a mockumentary.

Inside the TSA: The search for the little old lady from Mujahadeena.

It would be monster hit on the comedy channel.

[Brat]

There is nothing like public mockery to bring down a monster. It is time to have a little fun at the expense of TSA.

[BigNick]

Some more interesting reporting here.

[travelover]

I flew yesterday. Nothing as reassuring as seeing them make an old woman strip off her leg braces before entering the scanner. She was wavering around - I really thought she was going to fall over.

[clifp]

Quote:

Originally Posted by travelover I flew yesterday. Nothing as reassuring as seeing them make an old woman strip off her leg braces before entering the scanner. She was wavering around - I really thought she was going to fall over.

At times I think that TSA is just one massive psychology experiment, designed to measure how much crap we will put up with before screaming ENOUGH ALREADY.

[brewer12345]

I got pornoscanned for the first time. If I get skin cancer down the road I plan on joining the class action suit.

[W2R]

Quote:

Originally Posted by clifp At times I think that TSA is just one massive psychology experiment, designed to measure how much crap we will put up with before screaming ENOUGH ALREADY.

+1

We refuse to fly as long as we have a choice about it. Back in the day I had to travel for work frequently, and I'm so glad that I could retire before ever having to be scope'n'groped.

[arebelspy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by brewer12345 I got pornoscanned for the first time. If I get skin cancer down the road I plan on joining the class action suit.

Government grants retroactive immunity.

Game over.

[brewer12345]

Quote:

Originally Posted by arebelspy Government grants retroactive immunity. Game over.

Then I can sue my employer for whom I fly.

[harley]

If anyone is thinking about going back to w*rk due to the economy, here's a challenging job opportunity.

Public Affairs Specialist Job Opening at Transportation Security Administration in Arlington, VA

[clifp]

Quote:

Originally Posted by harley If anyone is thinking about going back to w*rk due to the economy, here's a challenging job opportunity. Public Affairs Specialist Job Opening at Transportation Security Administration in Arlington, VA

Similar to PR or marketing for tobacco companies, BP, or Goldman Sach this is definitely challenging position for somebody who finds their job too easy.

[MichaelB]

TSA Expanding ‘Chat-Downs’ Experiment TSA Expanding

So now it is “chat-downs”.

Quote:

U.S. Transportation Security Administration workers today will begin interviewing passengers entering Delta Air Lines Inc. (DAL)’s terminal in Detroit in an expansion of its so-called behavior detection program, Greg Soule, a TSA spokesman, said. ./. All passengers at checkpoints involved in the test are required to answer questions when they encounter the agency’s document checker, before proceeding to baggage X-ray and passenger screening. The interview lasts about one minute and resembles an encounter at a U.S. Customs checkpoint.

This brings back memories.

Quote:

Did you pack your bags yourself? Have they been with you since you packed them? Has anyone given you anything suspicious to carry?

I wonder what they are going to ask? Trained interrogators or frustrated law enforcement wannabes? If they are anything like US immigration and customs agents, it's not going to be fun.

[M Paquette]

Quote:

All passengers at checkpoints involved in the test are required to answer questions when they encounter the agency’s document checker, before proceeding to baggage X-ray and passenger screening. The interview lasts about one minute and resembles an encounter at a U.S. Customs checkpoint.

Will they include the long, uncomfortable pauses while the agent silently reads while mouthing the words of the next instructions off of his computer screen?

Last time I went through Customs, this drill took what felt like a couple of minutes between each question while the agent stared at the Profile-O-Matic display.

The good news about that encounter is that someone had been insisting on giving Customs a friendlier face. There was a 'greeter' checking for passports and forms in the US line who boomed out "Welcome Home!" periodically.

[brewer12345]

Quote:

Suspicious behavior detected during the chats has led to 10 arrests on charges including being in the U.S. illegally and having an outstanding warrant, Naccara said. “We don’t have someone who admitted to being a terrorist,” Naccara said. “We’re detecting people who are attempting to deceive us. There are similar behaviors exhibited. There’s no distinction.”

Sounds, um, effective at finding terrorists, right?

[MichaelB]

Quote:

Originally Posted by M Paquette Will they include the long, uncomfortable pauses while the agent silently reads while mouthing the words of the next instructions off of his computer screen?

So they have reading skills as well interrogation training?

Quote:

Originally Posted by M Paquette Last time I went through Customs, this drill took what felt like a couple of minutes between each question while the agent stared at the Profile-O-Matic display. The good news about that encounter is that someone had been insisting on giving Customs a friendlier face. There was a 'greeter' checking for passports and forms in the US line who boomed out "Welcome Home!" periodically.

That would be the only "welcome" aspect of our otherwise unfriendly customs and immigration process.

Quote:

Originally Posted by brewer12345 Sounds, um, effective at finding terrorists, right?

This has to have more to do with full employment. These "innovations" lead to continued funding of the TSA mission and will allow them to proclaim success at regular intervals.

[Brat]

I would love for them to go through the same training the Israeli airport security folks receive, not read a flow chart. If you really engage people I think it is possible to quickly identify travelers who pose no risk and refer others for more consideration.

When I last entered the country I know my face lit up when the agent said "Welcome home? Did anyone give you anything to carry?" My response was something to the effect of "Not a thing but the form they gave me on the plane. It's great to be back. It was a wonderful trip but I am looking forward to sleeping in my own bed!" He waved DH and I on with narry a second look.

[brewer12345]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brat I would love for them to go through the same training the Israeli airport security folks receive, not read a flow chart. If you really engage people I think it is possible to quickly identify travelers who pose no risk and refer others for more consideration.

You'd probably have to replace 90% of the TSA's current staff to make this work.

[Brat]

Anyone who has ever staffed a job fair acquired the skill of scanning resumes and in a few moments with the potential candidate can put the resume in yes, no, maybe stacks.

Given the current state of unemployment there are a lot of HR recruiters looking for work...

[Nuiloa]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelB That would be the only "welcome" aspect of our otherwise unfriendly customs and immigration process. .

Coming from the other end of the spectrum, I'm sort of ok with a tough customs check. In Canada, it's just the opposite. "Here, let me hold your bomb for you while you reload your assault weapon. While we're waiting for the timer to go off, let me explain our easy immigration system whereby you get all the benefits including full health care, you don't even have to live here to become a permanent resident and you don't have to pay taxes. BTW, if you commit a crime, you'll die of old age before we ever deport you. Welcome to Canada"

That's a bit of an exaggeration - so don't flame me. However, I just finished reviewing some 200 job applications, and at least 25% were from people who came to Canada, got permanent residency certifications and moved back to their home country within the space of months, not years. It's just too easy to get in here.

I wish they'd toughen our C&I just a tad.

[travelover]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nuiloa ..........It's just too easy to get in here. I wish they'd toughen our C&I just a tad.

Interesting. Usually when someone posts here about moving to Canada to get the free healthcare they get a bucket of cold water thrown over them.