TSA Airport Screenings Now Start Before You Arrive At the Airport 437
Bob the Super Hamste writes "The New York Times is reporting that the TSA is now doing background investigations on passengers before they arrive at the airport. The publicly stated reason for this is that it is to streamline the security procedures at airports allowing more passengers to receive less scrutiny while at the air port but this new authority allows the TSA additional information about each traveler. The prescreening that is being performed for domestic travel now uses a simiar standard to that of foreign individuals who where entering the US. The new measures go beyond what is used in the Secure Flight program and while light on details mentions that the passengers passport number will be used. The article does however point out the data sources that are available to the TSA to conduct these pre-screening with such as tax identification number, past travel itineraries, property records, physical characteristics, and law enforcement or intelligence information. Also mentioned is that individuals who do not have a passport will not be subjected to the rules and from my reading will not be eligible for lesser screening at that airport. The stated goal of this program is to have 25% of all airline passengers in the US receive lighter screening at the airport so that they don't have to take their shoes off, remove jackets, or remove laptops from bags. Additionally passengers who are in higher risk categories can receive additional screenings. Also mentioned is that all passengers are currently prescreened and that airlines are required to share your passport data with the TSA if they have it." One thing I've noticed as a passenger is that the most dangerous-feeling aspect of flying right now seems to be the winding security line itself.
Sounds ominous, but... (Score:5, Interesting)
Coming to a Soviet state near you (Score:3, Interesting)
Soon passports will be required for domestic travel...
Why i will never return to the USA.... (Score:4, Interesting)
Outside view on US customs. This is an article from a Dutch writer who was treated quite shabbily at the US borders:
http://dasmag.nl/why-i-will-never-return-to-the-usa/
Complete BULLSHIT (Score:2, Interesting)
Fucking seriously let's save all that tax money and the tax money being wasted now, and just racially profile. What's the fucking problem?
On the other side of that, I have not flown commercially since before 9/11 and don't plan on it anytime soon.
Re:Sounds ominous, but... (Score:5, Interesting)
You know what will destroy the domestic airline industry? Self driving cars. Oh there will still be some for those who do not want to 'wait in a car'. But you can make coast to coast in under 48 hours. Better if we could go faster and drive safely (which auto driving cars will allow). I suspect it will also eviscerate the hotel industry (or at least radically change them into a parking garage/lot sort of arrangement). As to make a 48 hour trip you will need somewhere to sleep (and not a car seat). So when you get where ever you will stay in your car.
For international it will be business as usual.
They better get their act together.
How Many Votes Would I Get? (Score:5, Interesting)
THE LINKED ARTICLE... (Score:5, Interesting)
Has the most depressing, "Good German" comments section I have read by sheeple in a long time...
This is Outrageous (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Sounds ominous, but... (Score:5, Interesting)
Back in the late 80's I took an entire week-long prepaid vacation (4 flights, 2 hotels & rental car) to Hawaii under someone else's name. It was my sister's boyfriend and he backed out of the trip at the last minute because of work. Sis called me up Thursday and said "You want a free trip with me to Hawaii tomorrow?" Hell yes, even if it was with my big sister.
The funny part is her boyfriend at the time had a very difficult, very long, very Polish name that I never did learn to spell right. And inevitably every desk clerk would ask how to spell it. I kept a card in my pocket with the name in big, bold letters that I would show them. But I boarded every plane and got every hotel & car reservation without showing even one form of ID.