Lastest TSA changes

[LeannL]

For those that did not catch it on NPR today, the TSA is experimenting with a new screening method at Boston-Logan airport. They are now interviewing every passenger prior to boarding the plane. I don't know exactly when in the process the interviews will occur but if it is like Europe, the interview occurs at the gate.

The purpose of the interview is to find people who's behavior is "not normal" meaning that a person is nervous about certain questions being asked. An example was sweating when it was cool. Yikes! With all that I have to wear to look feminine, I am sure I am sweating.

Here is a link to the story:
http://www.npr.org/2011/08/16/139643...ough-chat-down

So for those of us who fly pretty, are you willing to have a one-on-one conversation with a TSA agent every time you fly? Would you start the conversation by telling the agent you are transgendered?

Leann

PS As an aside, if you didn't the NPR story, they had a specialist on the phone with the interviewer. He asked her to pick an even number between 50 and 100. He then proceeded to rapidly count from 50 up. When he got to 68 he stopped and told her it was the number she had chosen. He was right. He did it by listening to her breathing and he heard a slight click just prior to his saying 68. It was impressive given it was over the phone!

[Christinedreamer]

Most of the TSA agents I have dealt with are lucky to get their badge on right side up. Hopefully TSA brought in some intelligent and properly trained agents from Israel. THEY know how to handle security.

[Amber_Lynn]

Most of the TSA agents I have dealt with are lucky to get their badge on right side up.

LOL so true! I heard it wasn't interviews for every passenger, but they would look for suspicious behavior then engage the suspects in a dialog. I can't believe it would be every passenger, they can't even get everyone through the check points without creating a bottle neck.

[kimmy p]

Of they start interviewing everyone boarding a plane then those who fly might want to start arriving at the airport 6 hours early. It'll take them that long for the interviews.....

[VioletJourney]

What happened recently to cause them to change their procedure? Was the old method not good enough?

[kellycan27]

That might separate the men from the girls.

[Loni]

does this mean if it is 75F in the terminal i would be profiled? i can handle cold but not heat. at 80F i am sitting in front of the air with a cold drink.
but i love getting outside in 50F short sleeves, no jacket, and a short skirt.

[LeannL]

I heard it wasn't interviews for every passenger, but they would look for suspicious behavior then engage the suspects in a dialog. I can't believe it would be every passenger, they can't even get everyone through the check points without creating a bottle neck.

I was led to believe as I listen to the story (admittedly while driving so I might have missed something) that it would be everyone. When I have gone through Amsterdam, they do interview everyone. They had a crew of 6 to 10 interviewers going from gate to gate as boarding time approached. They had small podiums that they would stand behind. After you approached a podium, they would take your ticket and ID. Then they proceeded to ask you a bunch of questions about your trip, computer and whatnot. So the TSA could do it if they doubled the number of agents working.

What happened recently to cause them to change their procedure? Was the old method not good enough?

I think it is all about continuing to escalate the scrutiny to keep the bad guys on edge. The story mentions that, while they haven't found any terrorists, they have caught a bunch of fugitives.

That might separate the men from the girls.

LOL!

Leann

PS. I don't think that this will stop me but we will see when/if they institute this everywhere.

[PretzelGirl]

We can probably avoid trashing TSA agents. I know we have at least one here.

I think if I ever fly pretty (my flying days are few and far between these days) then I will do it with the expectation that I will be answering questions from TSA. After having flown regular in the past, I never plan on not talking, being wanded, etc.....

[WendyH]

This is why I never fly anymore; the invasion of personal space just gets more and more egregious, and I for one don't feel any safer for it. I'm waiting for the day when each passenger is anesthetized, stripped naked, and stacked in the cargo hold for the duration of the flight. :P

[Eryn]

I tend to agree with Wendy. Our right to travel unmolested is gone and I will avoid air travel in the future.

The terrorists won as soon as they caused the government to punish its own citizens.

[Chickhe]

Is some nutso terrorrist going to be calm and collected or sweating bullets? ...my guess calm and collected because they -believe- they are doing something good. Like with CDing, if you beleive you are normal, feel and act appropriately you wil not be noticed, but start looking around, feeling nervous and you are going to attract attention. I have my doubts they will catch the correct suspects. Except, in a one-on-one interaction you might notice some bad guy with an attitude or a ticking sound coming from their chest... gee wiz. Anyone who travels dressed is going to need a thick skin, but on the bright side, you will probably learn the interaction is not so bad after doing it once or twice.

[nuwanda]

I think a conversation is better than them feeling you up!

[sandra-leigh]

... and I suppose none of us have ever been nervous because we were either bringing porn back or traveling with the intent to (amongst other things) buy porn? Or because we have a dress hidden it in our luggage because we aren't Out to one of our traveling companions?

\

[Diane Smith]

I'm waiting for the day when each passenger is anesthetized, stripped naked, and stacked in the cargo hold for the duration of the flight. :P

I think that would be a lot easier and more restful for the passengers than putting up with the other hassles of traveling these days -- I'm all for it!

- Diane

[VioletJourney]

I think it is all about continuing to escalate the scrutiny to keep the bad guys on edge. The story mentions that, while they haven't found any terrorists, they have caught a bunch of fugitives.

So basically now they're too lazy to even find a scapegoat when they want to take more of our rights?

[LeannL]

I think a conversation is better than them feeling you up!

I am afraid that the worng conversation will lead to "them feeling you up"!

Leann

[TxKimberly]

It's not about to slow me down any. I had noticed that the TSA everywhere has started asking you to say your name while they are looking at your ID. That's a giggle when you have a boy name but look like a woman.
"What's your name please?"
"Matthew. . . "

[Eryn]

So basically now they're too lazy to even find a scapegoat when they want to take more of our rights?

Remember, it's not about actually doing something, it's about creating the appearance of doing something.

[sandra-leigh]

"The people have always some champion whom they set over them and nurse into greatness. ...This and no other is the root from which a tyrant springs; when he first appears he is a protector."

Plato, 565-C

[kellycan27]

I have a question you people in the " I am not flying anymore" camp. Here you are complaing that the government is taking away your rights, yet they aren't taking away nearly as many as you are willing to give up. Isn't this like "cutting off your nose to spite your face? And for the person who said that the terrorists beat us... They beat you, not me..... because I am going to continue to live my life ..even if it has a minor inconvienience now and then. Maybe.. just maybe there will be a lot of people giving up flying which would make the lines shorter, the planes less crowded, and my interview with the TSA get finished faster so I can get down to the Bahamas and sit on a white sandy beach overlooking azure seas while sipping a tropical drink.

[KylieA]

What happened recently to cause them to change their procedure? Was the old method not good enough?

Probably nothing. Just a a continual changing of tactics to keep the terrorists on their feet.

I was just looking at my latest business trip. Boston --> Dayton with a return of Cincinnati --> Boston. Will they count that as two one way trips, and kick us out for extra inspections. I visiting relatives in Cincinnati when my grandfather died. Booked as Cincinnati --> Orlando, with a Orlando --> Boston return. Both counted as one ways. Pulled out for extra inspections both times.

This is why I never fly anymore; the invasion of personal space just gets more and more egregious, and I for one don't feel any safer for it. I'm waiting for the day when each passenger is anesthetized, stripped naked, and stacked in the cargo hold for the duration of the flight. :P

The airlines would love that. Anything to fit more people in the airplane. I remember flying to Ireland on a charter airline(cheap) 747. They placed the seats so close that knees where firmly rammed into the seat ahead of me. I'm only 5'7". I don't how anyone over 6' would fit.

[Schatten Lupus]

And for the person who said that the terrorists beat us... They beat you, not me..... because I am going to continue to live my life ..even if it has a minor inconvienience now and then.

The terrorist did indeed win. They scared the majority of Americans into not giving a second thought when the Patriot Act was passed, and all under the guise of "if you don't have anything to hide, then why worry?" And of course Benjamin Franklin put it best.

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.

In all honesty what many in the TSA have done, in the name of "security," would land jail and prison time for anyone else as well as having to register as a sex offender (Anyone else see the video where they reached a few inches inside a little girls pants?). And interviews are just a bad idea because some people get nervous about flying. As someone else pointed out, anyone who is planning an attack will probably seem very calm and collected and get in with no problem, while someone who is terrified of heights will be getting harassed for being shaky and having the sweats.

[Jenny Gurl]

Not a problem for me. I haven't flown since the ridiculous over reaction to 911. Seal the cockpit doors, let the passengers take care of the problem. Other countries don't go through all this, neither should we. I have not flown since. The terrorists won indeed, they convinced us to surrender our freedoms instead of having someone take them by force. Smart group. As far as the new tactic, someone who has decided to die in the crash is not going to get nervous talking to someone at the gate.

[Paula_56]

I'm waiting for the day when each passenger is anesthetized, stripped naked, and stacked in the cargo hold for the duration of the flight. :P

Will they charge extra for that?