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Actually, Nail Clippers are fine.

See the List of Permitted / Prohibited Items.

Bruce should have asked him why "Toy Transformer Robots" are included on the Permitted / Banned items list, but the threat of actual Trasnformer robots are ignored by the TSA.

Haven't they seen the documentary currently playing at theaters across the nation?

Seth

1. We pledge to briefly look into important issues but pay huge attention to irrelevant trivialities that will result in maximal discomfort. We'll take so much time you won't be boarding your flight in time. We consider this "one-passenger-less-is-one-threat-less-based-secur ity".
2. You will treat us respectfully. We will huff and puff, you will respect our hand gestures as if you were our female dawg. Failure to comply will give us further reason to "secure" your flight.
3. We will not explain any of our steps, pro-actively or in a reactive fashion. Try asking us a question, go ahead, make our day.
4. You may request a private screening. Did you notice you need to request a private screening ? That requires you asking something... make our day, no really...
5. If you make it to this step, you must be guilty of something, we'll see to securing your flight.
6. Our trash bin will more gratefully receive your feedback. If we don't like your tone, we'll feed you to our lawyer. Be assured that your next flight will be very safe and secure.
7. Unless we didn't receive your feedback in the first place, we'll respond in a timely matter

Personally, I'd like to see a purely private system of airports open up in the U.S., whereby said system posts a $10 billion bond to cover terrorist attacks. Then we would see practical, market-driven, security.

Can you imagine what the anti-spam, IDS, and other computer security technology would be like if it were administered by a TLA?

Personally, I'd like to see a purely private system of airports open up in the U.S., whereby said system posts a $10 billion bond to cover terrorist attacks. Then we would see practical, market-driven, security.

Can you imagine what the anti-spam, IDS, and other computer security technology would be like if it were administered by a TLA?

(erk, push submit instead of preview)

The TSA being the Transportation Security Administration, the people in charge of your airport security. The quote is from here.

So I guess that'll be Freedom Fingerprints they'll be collecting then.../p

Passengers can opt out of backscatter scans in favor of pat downs. http://www.tsa.gov/research/privacy/backscatter.sh tm

You are totally wrong. You can only bring 3oz containers of liquid on planes. All snow globes are prohibited. Check here

In the US, the DMCA prohibits circumventing copy protection. DVDs are copy protected. The software to rip copy protected DVDs is illegal to sell in the US.

So take your glass bottle back to the security checkpoint and ask the manager there to put it in your checked baggage for you.

The TSA's List of prohibited items clearly states (in bold, no less) that "Beverages purchased after security screening" are permissable in checked baggage.

It's the government's duty to protect the USA from these attacks by preventing them.

How do you propose they do that? Dig up their cold war psychics?

No, seriously. How do you propose that the governments of the world stop something that might happen in the future? By rounding up a bunch of britons with no plane tickets, no bombs, and no passports, and claiming they were going to blow up planes headed for the US? By stopping everyone who looks vaguely Pakistani from getting on planes while allowing white boys with pipe bombs in their backpacks to pass the checkpoint?

We have systems in place that should be protecting us now. We have no fly lists to protect us from people who we think might try to blow up a plane but that we can't prove this, however they've pretty much been rendered useless by inaccuracy and incompetence. For every Democratic Senator who can't fly because he was on the no fly list or not, how many people are there that are not on the list but that we suspect they might try to blow up a plane? (Or, if you believe the DHS officer when he says it was just "an accident" how many people on the list are "accidentially" let on board planes?) The TSA currently allows people to bring up to 4 books of matches on board, just in case someone has a legitimate reason to set their shoes on fire, but refuses to let people who call them stupid get on the plane.

And now, the government wants to know who's calling who. Tell me, how exactly do you intend to discover terrorists based on call history when you don't already know who the terrorists are, since if you knew who the terrorists are, you'd have already gotten a warrant to listen in on every single call to or from them, and subsequently warrants for those people's call histories as well? What exactly will the government learn from this, beyond the most popular pizza delivery?

Being pissed off at the loss of liberty is only a fraction of the rage I'm feeling now. The rest is reserved for the Republicans who are pissing my tax money away on things like this that they are incapable of justifying.

It has been forbidden, in the United States, to take liquids of any kind onto an airplane ever since the so-called "foiled terrorist plot" (another name for it would be "a bunch of guys bragging to each other how they would take down an airplane if they wanted to" since it never got anywhere near the level of "plot". But I digress).

The TSA publishes an online list of restricted items.

Can I Take It?

Due to enhanced security measures liquids, gels, lotions and other items of similar consistency will not be permitted in carry-on baggage. These types of items must be packed in your checked baggage.

Additionally, liquids, gels and lotions purchased beyond the checkpoint but must be disposed of before boarding the aircraft.

To ensure the health and welfare of certain air travelers the following items are permitted.

• Small amounts of Baby formula and breast milk if a baby or small child is traveling
  
• Liquid prescription medicine with a name that matches the passenger's ticket
  
• Up to 5 oz. (148ml) of liquid or gel low blood sugar treatment
  
• Up to 4 oz. of essential non-prescription liquid medications
  
• Gel-filled bras and similar prostethics worn for medical reasons
  

TSA ... VIGILANT, EFFECTIVE, EFFICIENT.

Look at the link to the prohibited items here: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/e ditorial_1012.shtm

Cigar cutters are permitted in carry on and in checked bags.

No lighters, but: "Up to 4 books of safety (non-strike anywhere) matches are permitted as carry-on items, but all matches are prohibited in checked baggage"

Puff away.

As I recall the airlines or TSA also strongly discourages you from locking checked baggage unless you use one of their "approved" locks.

What a time to be a baggage handler with an E-bay account!

And how will corporations react to having their sensitive corporate data floating around unknown places out of the hands of their employees, or even lost forever in misdirected luggage?

FYI: Cigarette lighters are banned in the US, even for domestic travel. You can't even pack one in your checked luggage if it has any fuel in it...So if this fuel cell is similar to a lighter, it will likely be banned...

JON

http://www.tsa.gov/public/interweb/assetlibrary/Pe rmitted_Prohibited_Facts.doc

The ninth amendment ONLY applies when there isn't a law authorizing the government entity to restrict something, but in this case there clearly and obviously is. Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 114(s)(1)(C), the Transport Security Administration has the authority to issue secret regulations regarding security procedures at airports.

If you read the sources provided, it becomes abundantly clear that not only does the TSA have authority to issue regulations, but that (DUH) they have regulations requiring ID unless you're willing to go through other more thorough searches (which Gilmore was offered as a "Selectee").

Did you honestly think that there weren't laws in place authorizing the TSA to issue such policies? You'd have to be a moron, especially if you're a paranoid conspiracy nut, to not realize that such policies would exist.

These were all enforced by Southwest and United Airlines employees. They required ID even before these regulations anyway and constitutional rights don't apply to private organizations so it would be a moot point anyway.

Applicable here are the TSA identification policy, CAPPS and CAPPS II, and No-Fly
and Selectee lists.

Here is some information obtained from an official court document (linked below):
*"The airline security personnel could not, according to the Government, disclose to Gilmore the Security Directive that imposed the identification policy because the Directive was classified as "sensitive security information" ("SSI")."

*3. Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 114(s)(1)(C) (2005), the Under Secretary of the TSA "shall prescribe regulations prohibiting the disclosure of information obtained or developed in carrying out security . . . if the Under Secretary decides that disclosing the information would . . . be detrimental to the security of transportation." This information is called "sensitive security information." 49 C.F.R. 1520.5(a) (2005). The Under Secretary classified as SSI "[a]ny security program or security contingency plan issued, established, required, received, or approved by DOT [Department of Transportation] or DHS [Department of Homeland Security], including . . . [a]ny aircraft operator, airport operator, or fixed base operator security program, or security contingency plan under this chapter" and "[a]ny Security Directive or order . . . [i]ssued by TSA." 49 C.F.R. 1520.5(b)(1)(i), (b)(2)(i) (2005).

4. The No-Fly and Selectee lists are Security Directives. They were issued by TSA pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 114(l)(2)(A) (2005), which authorizes the TSA Under Secretary to issue Security Directives without providing notice or an opportunity for comment in order to protect transportation security.

Sources:
-Gilmore v. Gonzales CV-02-03444-SI Opinion [pdf]
-TSA: How the Process Works
-TSA: Passenger Security Checkpoints
-The Status Of The Computer-Assisted Passenger Prescreening System (CAPPS II)

The ninth amendment ONLY applies when there isn't a law authorizing the government entity to restrict something, but in this case there clearly and obviously is. Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 114(s)(1)(C), the Transport Security Administration has the authority to issue secret regulations regarding security procedures at airports.

If you read the sources provided, it becomes abundantly clear that not only does the TSA have authority to issue regulations, but that (DUH) they have regulations requiring ID unless you're willing to go through other more thorough searches (which Gilmore was offered as a "Selectee").

Did you honestly think that there weren't laws in place authorizing the TSA to issue such policies? You'd have to be a moron, especially if you're a paranoid conspiracy nut, to not realize that such policies would exist.

These were all enforced by Southwest and United Airlines employees. They required ID even before these regulations anyway and constitutional rights don't apply to private organizations so it would be a moot point anyway.

Applicable here are the TSA identification policy, CAPPS and CAPPS II, and No-Fly
and Selectee lists.

Here is some information obtained from an official court document (linked below):
*"The airline security personnel could not, according to the Government, disclose to Gilmore the Security Directive that imposed the identification policy because the Directive was classified as "sensitive security information" ("SSI")."

*3. Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 114(s)(1)(C) (2005), the Under Secretary of the TSA "shall prescribe regulations prohibiting the disclosure of information obtained or developed in carrying out security . . . if the Under Secretary decides that disclosing the information would . . . be detrimental to the security of transportation." This information is called "sensitive security information." 49 C.F.R. 1520.5(a) (2005). The Under Secretary classified as SSI "[a]ny security program or security contingency plan issued, established, required, received, or approved by DOT [Department of Transportation] or DHS [Department of Homeland Security], including . . . [a]ny aircraft operator, airport operator, or fixed base operator security program, or security contingency plan under this chapter" and "[a]ny Security Directive or order . . . [i]ssued by TSA." 49 C.F.R. 1520.5(b)(1)(i), (b)(2)(i) (2005).

4. The No-Fly and Selectee lists are Security Directives. They were issued by TSA pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 114(l)(2)(A) (2005), which authorizes the TSA Under Secretary to issue Security Directives without providing notice or an opportunity for comment in order to protect transportation security.

Sources:
-Gilmore v. Gonzales CV-02-03444-SI Opinion [pdf]
-TSA: How the Process Works
-TSA: Passenger Security Checkpoints
-The Status Of The Computer-Assisted Passenger Prescreening System (CAPPS II)

Depends on the airport - I've had them refuse me when I try that at LAX; however, most other airports are fine.

The "official" list is at http://www.tsa.gov/public/interapp/editorial/edito rial_1046.xml

Grandma can't take her knitting needles along

How did I feel when the clerk at the airline check-in desk told me that I was on the "no fly" list? He then corrected himself and said someone with my _name_ was on the "no fly' list.

You have been using your online name for ten years. I have been using "Daniel P. Smith" for, uh, my whole life.

The airline ticket clerk takes my driver's license away from me, along with the driver's licenses of my wife, son, and daughter-in law, and he and another airline ticket clerk took them to some inner sanctum and did something mysterious, and after about five minutes came back and said we could be issued boarding passes.

On contacting the TSA I'm told that I can submit a form called a PVIF along with notarized copies of three forms of identification (driver's license, birth certificate, passport, etc.). This will accomplish... well, it's not exactly clear what it will accomplish. "Please understand that the TSA clearance process will not remove a name from the Watch Lists."

So what does it do? "Instead this process distinguishes passengers from persons who are in fact on the Watch Lists by placing their names and identifying information in a cleared portion of the Lists."

And what does THAT do? Well, here's what it doesn't do: "Clearance by TSA may not eliminate the need to go to the ticket counter in order to check-in. While TSA cannot ensure that this procedure will relieve all delays, we hope it will facilitate a more efficient check-in process for you."

You're upset because some online game doesn't like the name you've chosen for yourself? Please.

_I'm_ upset because my government doesn't like the name I was born with. And, yes, I'm upset because I can see the look in the clerk's eyes... and in the eyes of the notary at my local bank stamping the notarized copies (yes, of course I caved... what do you think I am, someone with principles?)... thinking "Well, he's probably OK but, gee, he's on the TSA's list..."

I think I'm going to get a court order to change my surname to Cmdrtaco. Hopefully there aren't too many people on the no-fly list named Daniel P. Cmrdtaco.

Or what really irks me is that some of them are liars.

I was leaving Hartford CT one time and the TSA guy saw my shoes and told me to take them off. I said "They've gone through every other checkpoint. He says "It's new policy." After going through without any problem (as usual), I asked, "Was policy put in today? THis is the first I heard about it."

TSA guy: "I don't know. If you didn't go through you would have had to go to extra screening."

What a fucking moron! I told him that I never have a problem with the shoes I wear - they're advertised as being for the airport security. He just gave me a bullshit line because he was too fucking lazy and/or stupid to do his job! And these fuckers are protecting us!?!

Uh yeah, it's called the TSA ...and they do it at all airports. That's why in-airport restaurants have to provide plastic utensils.

I see it happening every time I get strip searched... I mean fly.

You're funny! How often do screeners at airports go by that list? I have had clippers confiscated. I have had locks that I went out and purchased solely because they were TSA Accepted clipped. I even unlocked them before handing them to the screener! They just liked clipping locks!! And don't even try to fill out a Claim form. After many inquiries into the status of the claim I learned it was an exercise in futility.

As for this scanner they have been talking about it for years. The two main points are that to protect privacy the Department of Homeland Security has put several steps in place. The screeners will be in a separate room where they never see the person they are X-Raying. And the silhouettes some people have mentioned that display the basic outline of a sex-neutral figure with any items displayed over this.

The computer performs the job of picking out the difference between a weapon tapped to your privates and your actual privates. With the version the DHS has purchased you cannot see nipples or anything else that is FUD. The backscatter X-Ray has been available for years. Perfecting these safeguards and attempting to educate the public (looks like they failed here) on them is what took so long. Are these perfect for privacy? No, but not nearly as bad as the FUD flying around /. today. I would rather we didn't need any security at the airports, but in this world that would be suicide.

This has been covered by every news orginization and science magazine a half dozen times. The only thing news worthy about it is the fact that it is finally going to be used.

PS WTF? When did the type this image crap get added to Slashdot? And why can they add that, but not a damn spellchecker?

You're funny! How often do screeners at airports go by that list? I have had clippers confiscated. I have had locks that I went out and purchased solely because they were TSA Accepted clipped. I even unlocked them before handing them to the screener! They just liked clipping locks!! And don't even try to fill out a Claim form. After many inquiries into the status of the claim I learned it was an exercise in futility.

As for this scanner they have been talking about it for years. The two main points are that to protect privacy the Department of Homeland Security has put several steps in place. The screeners will be in a separate room where they never see the person they are X-Raying. And the silhouettes some people have mentioned that display the basic outline of a sex-neutral figure with any items displayed over this.

The computer performs the job of picking out the difference between a weapon tapped to your privates and your actual privates. With the version the DHS has purchased you cannot see nipples or anything else that is FUD. The backscatter X-Ray has been available for years. Perfecting these safeguards and attempting to educate the public (looks like they failed here) on them is what took so long. Are these perfect for privacy? No, but not nearly as bad as the FUD flying around /. today. I would rather we didn't need any security at the airports, but in this world that would be suicide.

This has been covered by every news orginization and science magazine a half dozen times. The only thing news worthy about it is the fact that it is finally going to be used.

PS WTF? When did the type this image crap get added to Slashdot? And why can they add that, but not a damn spellchecker?

The prohibited and permitted items chart is not intended to be all-inclusive and is updated as necessary. To ensure everyone s security, the screener may determine that an item not on the prohibited items chart is prohibited. In addition, the screener may also determine that an item on the permitted chart is dangerous and therefore may not be brought through the security checkpoint.

Oh, and by the way, their official shoe policy is that you do not have to remove your shoes. Go ahead, leave your closed-toe, hard-soled shoes on (that is, if you enjoy the prob-u-later).

Nail clippers are not confiscated, thanks for playing... Here's the list in case you were wondering: http://www.tsa.gov/interweb/assetlibrary/Permitted _Prohibited_5_16_2005_v3.pdf

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is committed to constantly reviewing screening procedures to ensure our measures are targeted to counter potential threats, and recently changed passenger screening procedures to strengthen our ability to detect explosives at the security checkpoints. One significant enhancement, which has generated discussion and concerns among some passengers, involves more frequent use of pat-down searches, which are to be done in a professional, respectful manner. We take each situation seriously and procedures are in place to address all concerns.

I work as an instructor pilot and professor at a major US university. I am not a US citizen. Among the many laws that have been brough in since the patriot act a significant portion affect pilots and pilot training. The latest law issued by the TSA (tranportation security admin.) affects flight training. The law was issued in the first week of Oct with compiance mandatory on the 20th of the same month. http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?theme=44&content =09000519800d8df4/ This law mandates that all people seeking flight training must first prove their citizenship. Certified copies of passports must be kept on record for five years by the school doing th training. This must be done for every flight course. This is only a small portion of the many hoops that US citizens have to jump though to even see an airplane. God help you if you are a non US citizen. Oh and the biggest security threat I have seen so far? NBC reporters trying to steal a helicopter.

...Although this claims a public comment period... "Although not required by law" (i.e., we're going to do it anyhow; the comment period is just window dressing)

Thanks.

Oddly enough, after I read your answer I checked the TSA web site and they've updated the firearms procedures page since the last time I read it. It's now pretty sensible. For a while, it certainly wasn't.

The new page, which completely backs up what you've said, is here.

The Transportation Security Administration protects the Nation's transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has repeatedly issued false statements about CAPPS II and stonewalls on release of Freedom of Information Act requests, Wired News is reporting.

An excerpt from the article -

"Department representatives have said many times in the past that their contractors never received data."

"In September 2003, Wired News asked TSA spokesman Nico Melendez whether those four contractors had used real passenger records to test and develop their systems. Melendez denied it, saying, 'We have only used dummy data to this point.'"

On Monday the TSA did release a non-statement, saying nothing.

Quote " Myth: CAPPS II will track where and when I travel and will store that information.

Fact: For U.S. persons, information will only be kept for a short period after completion of the travel itinerary, and then it will be permanently destroyed. The prescreening process will be conducted anew each time you fly. " TSA myth and fact

Does this means that non US citizen will be "screwed" over and their info kept forever ? It seems that all their myth and fact only apply to US citizen and the other will be S.O.L...

According to the "Myths about CAPPS II" page (emphasis mine):

No, CAPPS II will NOT run a criminal background check on every passenger. ... CAPPS II also performs a risk assessment, including a check against lists of terrorists and known or suspected threats, to detect individuals who may pose a terrorist-related threat or who have outstanding Federal or state warrants for crimes of violence.

Under CAPPS II, airlines will ask you for a slightly expanded amount of reservation information, including your full name, date of birth, home address, and home telephone number. With your expanded information, the system will quickly verify your identity and conduct a risk assessment utilizing commercially available data and current intelligence information on you. The risk assessment will result in a recommended screening level, categorizing you as no risk, unknown or elevated risk, or high risk. Your commercially available data will not be viewed by government employees, and intelligence information on you will remain behind the government firewall. Your entire prescreening process is expected to take as little as five seconds to complete.

Not so benevolent anymore is it? The idea behind CAPPS isn't inherently flawed, its just that i doubt it'll be very secure. My guess is the CAPPS II database will end up getting passed around the internet faster than Paris Hilton.

Under CAPPS II, airlines will ask you for a slightly expanded amount of reservation information, including your full name, date of birth, home address, and home telephone number. With your expanded information, the system will quickly verify your identity and conduct a risk assessment utilizing commercially available data and current intelligence information on you. The risk assessment will result in a recommended screening level, categorizing you as no risk, unknown or elevated risk, or high risk. Your commercially available data will not be viewed by government employees, and intelligence information on you will remain behind the government firewall. Your entire prescreening process is expected to take as little as five seconds to complete.

Not so benevolent anymore is it? The idea behind CAPPS isn't inherently flawed, its just that i doubt it'll be very secure. My guess is the CAPPS II database will end up getting passed around the internet faster than Paris Hilton.

Actually, for many Airports (I think the ones without an international terminal) You Don't Need An ID To Fly. Actually, I've flown through a number of the ones which "require" ID without doing so.

Heck, at one time in L.A., they were supposed to check me 3 times. I didn't offer, and carried myself in a manner that apparently didn't make me look suspicious - they left me alone entirely. Wow, I feel "secure". Not only does the stupid ID check make us less secure (long, boring, statistical discussion - email me if you want to hear it), but the terrorists can probably get through without ID anyway. Geez.

Partially true. There is a move to re-privatize the airport screener function. The difference is that the private companies would be under contract to the TSA, as opposed to the airlines. This provides a starting point, if anyone feels like digging through the laws and regs.

Oh, and I thought the guy's name was Dave Barry. But maybe we're talking about someone else.

They however made me take off my shoes
The screener told you, but they say on their website that they don't require that.
2 months ago, a screener told me to take off my shoes as well, but I refused, and pointed out that their own website says that it is not required (I had a printout of the page with me.)
After some back and forth, he acknowledged that it is not required and let me go through the metal detector without taking off my shoes.

Just don't bust that laptop open and wrap tape around a big shard of LCD glass to make a knife... that would be wrong.

Yeah, I know it's a joke, but both fingernail clippers (with or without a nail file) and knitting needles are allowed as carry on items on flights.

Feel free to bring a 12" knitting needle with you, but don't think about bringing a 1" razor blade or a pair of pliers. Beaurocracy at its best.

This sounds very much like Capps II, the TSA's mega airport screening system, and supposed terrorist catcher. I'll bet lots of money that Capps II and HMIS will be easily integratable.

Here is the TSA's latest press release regarding
Capps II

This person is quite opposed to Capps II, and presents a pretty convincing, though slightly outdated, argument.