The Cheap Thrill-Airport Security Measures run Wild

[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]

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]

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]

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]

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”.

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.

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]

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]

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]

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?

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.

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]

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]

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]

..........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.

 

[LOL!]

Custom officials have always greeted me in a friendly voice "Welcome home!" no matter how grumpy I was from an overseas flight. They have a great sense of humor at least with me as well. I always assumed the friendly chats were to help identify if I really was LOL! from Texas accent and all.

The new thing yesterday for the TSA folks was to ask names when checking IDs. It was amusing to see the folks in front of me stumble on their own names, but I think this was mostly because their brains are thinking, "But you can see my name right there on my driver license, why do I have to tell you my name." But didn't that happen in the movie "The Great Escape" as well?

 

[Alan]

Custom officials have always greeted me in a friendly voice "Welcome home!" no matter how grumpy I was from an overseas flight. They have a great sense of humor at least with me as well. I always assumed the friendly chats were to help identify if I really was LOL! from Texas accent and all.

The new thing yesterday for the TSA folks was to ask names when checking IDs. It was amusing to see the folks in front of me stumble on their own names, but I think this was mostly because their brains are thinking, "But you can see my name right there on my driver license, why do I have to tell you my name." But didn't that happen in the movie "The Great Escape" as well?

Simple but skilful interrogating can be effective just like in the movie.

In 1978 DW and I, along with her sister and BIL went on a road trip to the Republic of Ireland, via ferry. The guys at work told me that I looked too much like a terrorist for them to let me go freely across the border. (yeah, right - see my avatar, who could suspect such an innocent face?)

Our car was pulled out of line in the boarding process and we were questioned for several minutes by 2 plain clothes guys under the "prevention of terrorism act" - I could see the title of the form the border guard was filling out.

The questions were pretty straightforward and were asked many times to all 4 of us, to check our relationships, where we lived what we did for a living, how we met up and traveled and where we going etc. I'm sure our reactions to the questions were being observed as much as the answers themselves.

 

[M Paquette]

Coming to a highway near you..

Tennessee Becomes First State To Fight Terrorism Statewide - NewsChannel5.com | Nashville News, Weather & Sports

Oh frabjous joy! The TSA has rolled out VIPR checkpoints in Tennessee. They're initially working truck checkpoints and a couple of bus stations.

No word on whether bus passengers had to take their shoes off, or if they were prohibited from carrying more than 3 ounces of liquid on board.

 

[brewer12345]

Tennessee Becomes First State To Fight Terrorism Statewide - NewsChannel5.com | Nashville News, Weather & Sports

Oh frabjous joy! The TSA has rolled out VIPR checkpoints in Tennessee. They're initially working truck checkpoints and a couple of bus stations.

No word on whether bus passengers had to take their shoes off, or if they were prohibited from carrying more than 3 ounces of liquid on board.

The extension of this to Colorado will be a sight to see, considering that state law specifically allows the carrying of a loaded handgun in one's glove compartment at all times.

 

[Nords]

My anecdotal data (two trips in two months) indicates that I'll never be able to go through a simple metal detector ever again. And if TSA's new scanner doesn't do well with sweat, then maybe they should consider air-conditioning the waiting line?

The extension of this to Colorado will be a sight to see, considering that state law specifically allows the carrying of a loaded handgun in one's glove compartment at all times.

I wonder when's the last time that anyone carried a glove in that compartment. And shouldn't it be renamed a gun compartment?

 

[arebelspy]

My anecdotal data (two trips in two months) indicates that I'll never be able to go through a simple metal detector ever again. And if TSA's new scanner doesn't do well with sweat, then maybe they should consider air-conditioning the waiting line?

I wonder when's the last time that anyone carried a glove in that compartment. And shouldn't it be renamed a gun compartment?

Vegas still uses the old ones. They have a few nudie scanners, but they're very rarely turned on in my experience.

But some other places don't use them either.

In the last few months I've gone through the regular at Vegas twice, regular at Seattle and Miami, and the new one at Charlotte (or rather opted out of going through the new one at Charlotte).

 

[harley]

At least they're developing some style.

TSA goes through woman’s luggage, finds sex toy, leaves pervy note – Boing Boing

 

[harley]

I know this is an old, dead thread, and I don't really want to start it up with all the recent outrages, but this one made me laugh out loud.

TSA Successfully Detects 2 Out of 3 Claymore Mines in Luggage - Hit & Run : Reason.com

 

[clifp]

I know this is an old, dead thread, and I don't really want to start it up with all the recent outrages, but this one made me laugh out loud.

TSA Successfully Detects 2 Out of 3 Claymore Mines in Luggage - Hit & Run : Reason.com

Well two out of three ain't bad, isn't that what the songs says

So many of the things they screen for really don't pose much of threat of bring down a modern jet aircraft. On the other hand a claymore mine I am pretty sure at the very least would do a number to the passenger section.

 

[Texas Proud]

I know this is an old, dead thread, and I don't really want to start it up with all the recent outrages, but this one made me laugh out loud.

TSA Successfully Detects 2 Out of 3 Claymore Mines in Luggage - Hit & Run : Reason.com

Maybe the other screener was more knowledgable and knew when he saw a fake claymore...