SubscribeTerror tag weighs down travellers
January 30, 2008
“Does the security drill at US airports really make you wonder? Chances are high that if you are routinely subjected to extra airport security or unable to print boarding passes for airline flights at US airport kiosks, your name has somehow got mixed up with those on Uncle Sam’s bulging terrorist watch lists.
Ann Davis, a spokeswoman for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), says the agency is sensitive to the problems travellers face when they are “misidentified”. The Terrorist Screening Database now has over 700,000 names, including many common Indian and South Asian names.” (Daily News & Analysis)
Weaknesses remain in airport security
January 28, 2008
“An investigation conducted last year into how police credentials were scrutinized at Jackson-Evers International Airport exposed weaknesses in the system that terrorists could exploit to bring guns aboard planes.
Despite those and earlier warnings, the federal government has not moved to change the regulations.” (Clarion Ledger)
Airports Fingerprint Foreign Travelers
January 23, 2008
“As a foreign traveler, Punit Pawar is used to the security when he flies into the U.S., so he barely noticed Tuesday when he was asked to put his 10 fingers on a digital scanner as part of an enhanced security system rolling out at airports across the country.”It didn’t take much of my time, so it didn’t bother me,” said Pawar, a citizen of India and a student at Boston’s Northeastern University. “I’m OK with it, if this is what they need to do for security.”" (AP)
New border security rules will help avoid shutdown later, says Chertoff
January 18, 2008
“Without new security rules at the Canada-U.S. border, there could be a clamour from Americans to close it completely if a terrorist slips through and attacks, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said Friday.
Requiring people entering the United States to provide identification and proof of citizenship, like a birth certificate, starting at the end of January is a “reasonable” alternative, Chertoff told The Canadian Press in an interview.” (The Canadian Press)
Panel urges border IT reforms
January 18, 2008
“A presidential committee has recommended changes in border processing technologies and procedures — including several categories of systems upgrades and policy reforms — to relieve onerous border crossing requirements for entry into the United States that have reduced foreigners’ desire to come to the country for tourism, study and business.
The panel noted that existing systems and procedures have crippled tourism, the higher-education sector and other industries because foreigners face unpredictable delays and a burdensome processing system due in part to inefficient information technology.” (GCN)
U.S. Plans Stricter Security Checks For Visitors From Europe
January 15, 2008
“The U.S. plans to increase security checks on passengers from Europe, according to Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff.
He said the move should not restrict travel and trade.” (AHN)
Homeland Security Suggests States Opposing New Driver’s License Law Get Compliance Waiver
January 12, 2008
“Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff has urged states that need more time to comply with a new driver’s license law to secure a waiver to keep state-issued licenses valid for air travel beyond spring.” (AHN)
Border passport requirement delayed
January 9, 2008
“Travelers entering the United States by land this year won’t need a passport now that President Bush has signed the omnibus spending bill into law.
Tucked inside that law signed on Dec. 26, 2007, is a provision known as the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative that pushed back a plan by the Department of Homeland Security to require passports from travelers crossing the borders from Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean by a year.” (Bangor Daily News)
FAA: Boeing’s New 787 May Be Vulnerable to Hacker Attack
January 5, 2008
“Boeing’s new 787 Dreamliner passenger jet may have a serious security vulnerability in its onboard computer networks that could allow passengers to access the plane’s control systems, according to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration.
The computer network in the Dreamliner’s passenger compartment, designed to give passengers in-flight internet access, is connected to the plane’s control, navigation and communication systems, an FAA report reveals.” (Wired)
Airport profilers: They’re watching your expressions
January 2, 2008
If a pair of Transportation Security Administration officers strolling by a Sea-Tac Airport ticket counter wish you happy holidays and ask where you’re traveling, it might be more than just Christmas spirit.
Travelers at Sea-Tac and dozens of other major airports across America are being scrutinized by teams of TSA behavior-detection officers specially trained to discern the subtlest suspicious behaviors.
TSA officials will not reveal specific behaviors identified by the program — called SPOT (Screening Passengers by Observation Technique) — that are considered indicators of possible terrorist intent. (Seattle Post Intelligencer)