Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

TSA Airport Screenings Now Start Before You Arrive At the Airport

Posted by timothy on from the we-call-this-the-might-fly-list dept.

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.

21 of 437 comments (clear)

  1. Sounds ominous, but... by n1ywb · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I practically died with joy the first time I got to use a pre-check lane. Kept my coat, shoes, and belt on, didn't take shit out of my bags. It almost justified the 8 hours it took me to get a global entry card (drive to boston, wait, talk to beurocrats about how I'm not a threat, drive back to vermont).

    --
    -73, de n1ywb
    www.n1ywb.com
    1. Re:Sounds ominous, but... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Why did you have shit in your bags? To me, this would have been an obvious warning sign of a deviant which would have meant you don't fly today.

    2. Re:Sounds ominous, but... by stewsters · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Before 9/11 that's how everyone was treated. Without that 8 hour Boston trip.

    3. Re:Sounds ominous, but... by smooth+wombat · · Score: 5, Insightful

      So what you're saying is you handed over your information to these hacks to prove you weren't a criminal, rather than being presumed innocent from the start. And you consider having to prove you're not a criminal a good thing?

      --
      We will bankrupt ourselves in the vain search for absolute security. -- Dwight D. Eisenhower
    4. Re:Sounds ominous, but... by Joining+Yet+Again · · Score: 5, Informative

      "I practically died with joy when I learnt that they'd stop beating me if I'd just get on my knees."

      Coward.

      I stopped visiting the US (and I used to go semi-regularly on business) once all this TSA shit started. Such a shame other people put their bank account before their sense of decency.

    5. Re:Sounds ominous, but... by WillAdams · · Score: 5, Informative

      Not only that, but no ID was necessary --- I once flew under an alias 'cause I was curious if it could be done --- even got a military ticket discount even though I never showed my military ID card (which had my proper name).

      --
      Sphinx of black quartz, judge my vow.
    6. Re:Sounds ominous, but... by 93+Escort+Wagon · · Score: 4, Informative

      Can't comment on the England having more terrorist issues than the US, but I'll take your word for it.

      You're probably young, then. I can remember when the Irish Republican Army was conducting terror attacks in and around Britain.

      --
      #DeleteChrome
    7. Re:Sounds ominous, but... by CanHasDIY · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I practically died with joy the first time I got to use a pre-check lane. Kept my coat, shoes, and belt on, didn't take shit out of my bags. It almost justified the 8 hours it took me to get a global entry card (drive to boston, wait, talk to beurocrats about how I'm not a threat, drive back to vermont).

      Sounds like a battered housewife, explaining how the fact that her abusive husband only blacked one eye in his latest drunken rage means he really does love her.

      --
      An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
    8. Re:Sounds ominous, but... by Anonymous Coward · · 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.

    9. Re:Sounds ominous, but... by gl4ss · · Score: 5, Insightful

      the TSA guys can still check what property you have, who you're living with and how much money you make.

      the real problem I see with this is giving the information to so many people in a organization. they get to see enough to apply for a credit card...

      --
      world was created 5 seconds before this post as it is.
    10. Re:Sounds ominous, but... by currently_awake · · Score: 5, Informative

      You are assuming this is new. It's not. This pre-screening is part of how they make the no fly list. The new part is they are having three groups instead of just two. Those who can't fly, those who are low risk, and everyone else. This will let "important" people opt out of the security theater hassle, while still pretending it makes the country safer.

    11. Re:Sounds ominous, but... by boristdog · · Score: 4, 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.

  2. Expensive by DoofusOfDeath · · Score: 5, Informative

    We sure pay a heavy price for our politicians' love of meddling in the Middle East.

  3. Pre-Check by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Serious question here: as a civilian electronics engineer working for the DoD, I had to go through a rigorous background check, interview process, and polygraph to obtain my current clearance level and job. This costs an extraordinary amount of money (likely over $10K), why the hell do I have to pay and go through yet another background check and interview process for pre-check?

    One would think that we'd be in the business of trying to save some time and money these days....

  4. Why i will never return to the USA.... by Anonymous Coward · · 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/

  5. TSA, NSA by Phoenix666 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The science and the math behind the tools of control are not classified. There is no classified physics, chemistry, and math. You and I can access them and learn. The components and sensors and knowledge required to build resistance measures are open source. You and I can see them, understand them, and employ them. In Today's--though perhaps not in "Tomorrow's"--America, you can still acquire the tools you need to resist and defeat Tyranny.

    Take stock. Search your own heart. Can you live in a world where you are not free? Most of you will choose controlled comfort. You will cede control over your very existence to some remote, faceless drone within a bureaucracy, be it government- or corporate-controlled. Still there are a few who would rather die, no matter how much they have to lose, than acquiesce to petty, stupid tyrants.

    I have a wife and kids. I love them dearly. I want to live a long life with them. But if I could trade my life for their freedom, I would do so in an instant. Those of you who are like me, assess and consider. We have been in a bubble of denial, but now that time is over. We all must choose whether to stand and be counted, or to kneel and submit. Choose the former and you're an American, choose the latter and you're a slave.

    Decide.

    --
    Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.
  6. What I don't mind by bickerdyke · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I don't mind having my jacket/coat X-rayed.
    I don't mind having my laptop X-rayed seperatly.

    I can live with my shoes being x-rayed.

    But what pisses me of is that I have to do all of this without proper infrastructure at the checkpoint. Those lines are still designed for people walking through the scanner in paralell to one item going through X-ray. Pick up your carry on after the scanner and walk on. But now this design gets clogged up by people like me who are unfortunately born with only two arms and hands and therefor CANT'T pick up their stuff as it comes out of the X-ray item by item. That's what bags were invented for!

    I apologize to all people who had to wait behind me because I had to repack my bag, re-tie my shoes and wear my belt again. I'm sorry, but I can't remove that stuff all at once.

    --
    bickerdyke
  7. How Many Votes Would I Get? by Greyfox · · Score: 5, Interesting

    "If elected I promise to introduce legislation to disband the TSA, NSA and DEA. If it fails I will introduce it again. I will introduce it and introduce it until it passes or my term ends."

    --

    I'm trying to teach myself to set people on fire with my mind... Is it hot in here?

  8. THE LINKED ARTICLE... by Jeremiah+Cornelius · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Has the most depressing, "Good German" comments section I have read by sheeple in a long time...

    --
    "Flyin' in just a sweet place,
    Never been known to fail..."
  9. Re:Um... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Unfortunately that's a load of crap. From what I have seen, they are trying to privatize the TSA. They believe it is unconstitutional for the government to do these screening but A-OK if its a private corp.

  10. Re:Um... by Lumpy · · Score: 5, Informative

    How many votes did they have for defunding it? 0
    Compared to the 397 times they tried defunding the Affordable Care act.

    The Tea Party has no interest in preserving freedom.

    --
    Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.