Author Topic: I'm all for national security, but this... (Read 1386 times)

Sabre · « **on:** September 09, 2003, 12:42:22 PM »

...is over the top. Metal detectors? Of course. Explosive residue sniffers? Sure. Positively identifying airline travelers before allowing them to board? No-brainer. Guns in the cockpit? No problem. But this goes too far for only an arguably marginal (if that) improvement in airline security.

Quote

Airlines may screen fliers for risk

Codes based on criminal, travel info planned in '04 that could block thousands from flights.
September 9, 2003: 7:43 AM EDT

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Airline passengers could soon be assigned a color code to assess their security risk that could keep tens of thousands of passengers daily from boarding a flight, according to a published report.

The Washington Post reported Tuesday that the new system from the Transportation Security Administration, is set to debut next summer in a pilot program. The system will consider passengers' personal information, criminal records and intelligence information, as well as their city of departure, destination, traveling companions and date of ticket purchase.

The paper said that most passengers will be assigned a green code and not be subject to additional scrutiny. But the paper, quoting people familiar with the program, said 8 percent of passengers will be coded "yellow" and will undergo additional screening at the checkpoint, while 1 to 2 percent will be coded red and be prevented from boarding. That could equal about 30,000 passengers a day who would not be allowed to board based on the average daily passenger volume.

The program has critics. The paper reported that Delta Air Lines (DAL: Research, Estimates), the nation's No. 3 carrier, backed out of a testing program with the agency earlier this year.

"This system is going to be replete with errors," the paper quotes Barry Steinhardt, director of the American Civil Liberties Union's technology and liberty program as saying. "You could be falsely arrested. You could be delayed. You could lose your ability to travel."

AKS\/\/ulfe · « **Reply #1 on:** September 09, 2003, 12:50:29 PM »

Quickly going from the land of the free, to the land of "you can't leave your house without papers, comrade".
-SW

udet · « **Reply #2 on:** September 09, 2003, 12:57:07 PM »

those coded red should get their Pilot's License

Ripsnort · « **Reply #3 on:** September 09, 2003, 01:04:32 PM »

Pilot program. I wouldn't worry about it. The Facial Recognition camera's failed miserably, this will too. Naturally, someone will blame this on Bush.

Creamo · « **Reply #4 on:** September 09, 2003, 01:16:06 PM »

Metal detectors? Sure

Explosive residue sniffers? Yup. They work too. My rocket motor casings sent the alarms off, and it was no big deal explaining it. I like good security that works.

Positively identifying airline travelers before allowing them to board? No-brainer. Agreed.

Guns in the cockpit? No problem here either. They can't possibly shoot someone who can't possibly get in. The new door mods are terrific. I eat crow on that one, I never thought the government would pay for it, and they are indeed tough. Might be a bit of a saftey hazard in a crash because they are... well, that tough. Great mod though.

Records to allow boarding? Yikes. That is scary. If I sold a pound of pot and got busted I couldn't board, but how many of the terrorists that did 9/11 could? I really don't know, but I'm guessing alot of them would have walked on.

ccvi · « **Reply #5 on:** September 09, 2003, 01:17:51 PM »

Do they have to wear their red sticker visibliy in public?

Ripsnort · « **Reply #6 on:** September 09, 2003, 01:18:13 PM »

Wow, I agree with Creamo. Damn, whats up wit everyone agreeing today? Hortlund/banana/Sandman...now me and creamo..
I feel...ill

Creamo · « **Reply #7 on:** September 09, 2003, 01:24:53 PM »

It's a good sign. AH2 Beta must be just days away.

Soon MT will goof on Hillary's cankles, and Sandman will order the NFL package from DirectTv and pressure wash his Clinton/Gore bumper sticker off his Minivan.

Curval · « **Reply #8 on:** September 09, 2003, 01:26:35 PM »

Yes..bizarre, I agree with old grumpy too Rip.

Ozark · « **Reply #9 on:** September 09, 2003, 01:55:18 PM »

Quote

Yes..bizarre, I agree with old grumpy too Rip.

It's t'other sign of th' impendin' apocalypse ah tell ya!

Sandman · « **Reply #10 on:** September 09, 2003, 02:17:09 PM »

OTOH, the current system does seem rather silly.

I've had numerous background security investigations before obtaining a security clearance. I am trusted with highly classified information and I've probably been through an equal if not greater amount of scrutiny than any of the TSA employees.

Still... I can't be trusted to board a plane without even more searches.

Sandman · « **Reply #11 on:** September 09, 2003, 02:18:21 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Creamo
It's a good sign. AH2 Beta must be just days away.

Soon MT will goof on Hillary's cankles, and Sandman will order the NFL package from DirectTv and pressure wash his Clinton/Gore bumper sticker off his Minivan.

I don't own a minivan (or any Clinton/Gore stickers).

Yeager · « **Reply #12 on:** September 09, 2003, 02:29:26 PM »

Commercial aircraft are proven weapons systems capable of massive destruction against people and property.

AKS\/\/ulfe · « **Reply #13 on:** September 09, 2003, 02:40:57 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Yeager
Commercial aircraft are proven weapons systems capable of massive destruction against people and property.

Yeah, when in the hands of those who don't really have any background or criminal record.
-SW

Creamo · « **Reply #14 on:** September 09, 2003, 02:44:44 PM »