TSA Accepting Public Comments On Whole Body Airport Screening 223
New submitter trims writes "The TSA is now in the public comment stage of its project to roll out Advanced Imaging Technology (i.e. full-body X-ray) scanners. The TSA wants your feedback as to whether or not this project should be continued or cancelled. Now is your chance to tell the TSA that this is a huge porkbarrel project and nothing more than Security Theater. You can comment at http:///www.regulations.gov and reference the docket ID TSA-2013-0004." Note: the backscatter X-ray machines are being phased out, in favor of millimeter-wave systems; the linked documents give the government's side of the story when it comes to efficacy, safety, privacy, and worth. The comment period runs until June 24.
Re:Ah, now the delays make sense (Score:5, Informative)
But I will still not give up my liberty for my security. I will die for my Freedom and rights, including being a victim of an attack.
Unfortunately, I am not the only one in this country... so I must yield to societies decision.
Prediction... (Score:4, Informative)
Wow, I jokingly made comments a long while back that it wouldn't surprise me if the TSA opened up these comments the moment a bomb went off somewhere, considering how long they've just been sitting on it.
But now that it's happened, I am surprised. If there really is a connection to the timing, that's downright shameful. However that's not entirely anything new for the TSA.
Re:Ah, now the delays make sense (Score:2, Informative)
FYI, the public comment period began nearly a month ago (26 March)
Re:Ah, now the delays make sense (Score:4, Informative)
Where do I sign up to deliver machines without any quality control? I can do it much cheaper.
US Department of Homeland Security
ATTN: Office of Security Technology System Planning and Evaluation Group
Transportation Security Administration
601 South 12th Street
Arlington, VA 22202-4220
Make sure you ask for their blanket immunity from prosecution plan, which also has options to avoid house oversight committees and contractual exemptions that all other federal agencies must comply with, like, for example, a requirement to choose the lowest-cost contract that meets requirements.
Back scatter X-ray is NOT being phased out (Score:2, Informative)
Only the machines from Rapiscan are being phased out. It's not because of safety, rather it's because Rapiscan can't deliver software to remove human-in-the-loop (eg removing the need for a human to look at you naked).
They've awarded additional contracts to both Smiths (makers of the garbage "puffer" machines) and AESi (in addition to the current millimeter wave machines from Level3). I believe that AESi's devices are back scatter x-ray.
Re:Israel airport security (Score:2, Informative)
You're completely forgetting the fact that in Israel's eyes, the airport is the LAST and LEAST EFFECTIVE point to stop an attack at. That's why security is so layered there. And no, the TSA might implement a minor subset of Israel's tactics, but they do NOT employ the same tactics as Israel (notwithstanding those that cannot simply be implemented outside of Israel or Israeli-controlled areas).
El Al, to the last of my knowledge (and very close friends of mine were actual security personnel for El Al), packs bags into a secondary container that is installed into the cargo bay. This provides extra protection in case of a bomb in a bag scenario at the expense of some cargo hold room.
Remember about 10 years ago or so when that guy at LAX started shooting up the El Al counter? Despite the fact that at every airport in this country the local police and other law enforcement agencies have demanded that El Al security be unarmed, it was an El Al security officer who shot that limo driver dead even before the LAPD could drop their donuts... And at natba"g (Ben Gurion Airport, code TLV), there are people who are constantly walking the area scanning and scoping (including trash cans). Leave a bag unattended in Israel, and the whole area will be cordoned off faster than you can say "felafel, Humus, chips".
Every car is stopped before it even enters the airport territory, and the whole security process didn't just start there (if you were the one flying at least).
I could keep going, and even mention that Richard Reid attempted to blow his shoes up on an El Al flight and was unable to. But hey, you did your masters thesis on this subject, so you know more than I would - one who has lived for extended periods of time in both the USA and Israel...