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Tag Archives for tsa.

New TSA ID Verification System Is Letting People Past Security Who Haven’t Checked In

by Gary Leff on June 22, 2020

Jun 22 2020

TSA is rolling out the “Credential Authentication Technology” (CAT) tool broadly. They check both the authenticity of the document and whether the information matches what they have for the passenger’s ‘Secure Flight’ data in their reservation (name, date of birth, gender). If it isn’t a match, the passenger is sent over to the airline to get things sorted.

However since passengers no longer need a boarding pass when this system is in use, they’re proceeding past the security checkpoint without first checking in for their flight

Here’s Why People are Losing Global Entry

by Gary Leff on June 20, 2020

Jun 20 2020

US Customs and Border Protection responded to a FOIA request (.pdf) detailing each instance where Global Entry was revoked between November 6, 2016 and June 6, 2017.

There are several reasons someone might have their Global Entry participation revoked: bringing snacks into the U.S. that you fail to declare, being investigated for or convicted of a crime, or bringing people with you through Global Entry who aren’t in the program.

COVID Will Change My Airport Security Checkpoint Routine

by Gary Leff on June 19, 2020

Jun 19 2020

Sometimes I depart the U.S. flying an airline that doesn’t participate in PreCheck. And when I do, I still ‘opt out’ of these nude-o-scopes on principle. Maybe I’m the last person that does.

I take a pat down instead of going through the machine. The screener will tell me what to expect, saying to me that they’re going to ‘run their hand up my leg until they meet resistance’ and they’ll ask if I have any sensitive areas. “Only where you meet resistance” I’ve offered, a hundred times. Covid changes all of this.

No Ticket, No ID, No Problem For This Delta Passenger

by Gary Leff on June 15, 2020

Jun 15 2020

The extra passenger on board the Boeing 757 was identified when she was found sitting in another passenger’s seat and refused to move. A flight attendant asked for her ID and she “showed them a photo of herself on her phone.”

The FBI didn’t press charged. She has, however, received a TSA ‘warning notice’ “which goes on the woman’s record.”

TSA Will Start Taking Your Photo At Security Checkpoints

by Gary Leff on June 8, 2020

Jun 08 2020

Say cheese! The Department of Homeland Security revealed in a ‘privacy impact assessment’ published last week that TSA will begin using facial recognition for identity verification at airport security checkpoints.

They will photograph each passenger and determine whether it matches the photo associated with the identity document used for screening.

Airport Security Becomes Social Distancing Nightmare As Travelers Crowd Checkpoints On Memorial Day

by Gary Leff on May 25, 2020

May 25 2020

We’ve seen social shaming of airlines for failing to block middle seats. Oddly people are shocked there would be others sitting near them on a plane. They’re surprised the airline was selling them a ticket and selling tickets to other people, too.

A new front in the traveler shock and frustration over crowding in the coronavirus era is the airport security checkpoint, which became a big deal today at the end of a three day weekend despite travel still being down over 80%.

TSA Is Changing How Airport Screening Works Next Month Due To COVID-19

by Gary Leff on May 21, 2020

May 21 2020

TSA is rolling out changes to the security process, already in effect in some airports and complete across the nation by mid-June. They want to reduce contact between passengers, and between passengers and screeners, and to remind customers to minimize actions that lead to screeners opening up bags and giving pat downs.

7 Reasons New TSA Temperature Checks Will Make Air Travel Worse

by Gary Leff on May 16, 2020

May 16 2020

The Administration wanted the CDC to do temperature checks at airports. They refused. U.S. airlines have been lobbying for the government to do these checks – they don’t want the responsibility of doing it themselves, even though that would be better for travelers. Now the TSA is preparing to do it at security checkpoints.

This isn’t going to make air travel safer, and it’s going to make the travel experience worse for a long time to come.

Government Temperature Checks By TSA Are A Bad Idea, Let Airlines Do It Themselves

by Gary Leff on May 12, 2020

May 12 2020

Frontier Airlines will start requiring passengers to pass a temperature check to fly. Airline lobbyists, though, want to give the job of checking temperatures to the TSA. That will remove all responsibility for accuracy from the airlines and distract TSA from its security mission. This is a bad idea.

Eerie Deserted Airports Will Start To See Passengers Again Very Soon

by Gary Leff on April 28, 2020

Apr 28 2020

It will be some time before we’re doing very much international travel. One reason is that immunity passports aren’t going to work.

However as some states begin to open their economies we’ll begin to see a little more travel again. Indeed we’re already beginning to.

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