For travelers on packed planes, 'fight for the overheads' is on Oct 24, 2009
The Transportation Security Administration and carriers don't track carry-ons, Caldwell says, "but many more people are flying on the average flight, and the bins are filling up faster than before.". The problem has become so pressing since major airlines began imposing fees for the first checked bag on domestic flights in mid-2008 that Congress is considering legislation to limit and standardize carry-on size and ensure enforcement at TSA airport checkpoints. (ABC News)
The spy who lost his thumb drives Oct 23, 2009
Nozette allegedly flew to "Country A" in January, but only after a US Transportation Security Administration screener at a Washington airport was astute enough to log his airline departure along with two computer thumb drives which did not make the return trip. By September, the FBI came calling. (Asia Times Online)
New way to 'stop' premature birth Oct 23, 2009
Trichostatin A (TSA) is known to promote the death of cancer cells ... They exposed the muscle to TSA and measured the effects on both spontaneous contractions and those induced by the labour drug, oxytocin ... The researchers showed that TSA increased the levels of a protein sub-unit of PKA.. (BBC News -- UK)
Exit system for foreign travelers stands at a crossroads Oct 23, 2009
In response to a request from lawmakers, the US-VISIT office recently tested scenarios in which the Transportation Security Administration and Customs and Border Protection agency collected fingerprints from noncitizens departing from U.S. airports. were conducted last summer at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport at a cost of $5 million. (FCW.com)
Kahului Airport to conduct emergency-response exercise Oct 21, 2009
Participating agencies will include Kahului Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting teams, the Maui County Police, Maui Fire Department, Emergency Medical Services, Maui Civil Defense, Hawaii Air National Guard, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Transportation Security Administration, Federal Aviation Administration, American Red Cross, Hawaiian Airlines, Maui Visitors Bureau, Maui Community College, Maui High School and other state agencies. All flight operations will continue as normal during the... (Honolulu Advertiser)
Philly airport screener admits stealing laptops Oct 21, 2009
Troy Davis was an officer with the Transportation Security Administration at Philadelphia International Airport. "> Curious? Search ScoutPA. lect> Your online website and business directory. Daily American Archive Search Search for an Event Search our Classifieds Philly airport screener admits stealing laptops Rating: 0 Tuesday, October 20, 2009 2:09 PM EDT PHILADELPHIA (AP) Authorities say a former airport screener has admitted stealing laptop computers and a video-game system from passengers... (Somerset Daily American, PA)
TSA Apprehends Airline Employee At Dulles Airport Oct 21, 2009
Officials say a TSA inspector who was doing random employee screening, noticed the employee didn't have a badge on in a location inside the airport past the security screening area, and as they tried to question him further about how he had been screened, he ran off. After a brief foot chase, and with the assistance of airport police, TSA officials took the man into custody and are questioning him ... In a statement released by TSA, officials said a TSA inspector noticed an airlines employee in... (W-USA News, DC)
Kokua Line: Learn the fundamentals before flying with fruit Oct 21, 2009
The (Transportation Security Administration) guy told me that mango was only allowed out if it was frozen ... The (Transportation Security Administration) guy told me that mango was only allowed out if it was frozen. (Honolulu Star-Bulletin)
Our view: TSA moves too fast Oct 20, 2009
A TSA screener reviews an image from a whole-body scanner at Miami International Airport in 2008 ... The TSA's enthusiasm for the devices reverses its own policy, which until this year reserved whole-body image scanners for cases where additional screening was required for some reason ... But TSA isn't waiting for the people's elected representatives to set the rules. (Anchorage Daily News)
Checkpoint friendly Oct 20, 2009
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is aware that theres room for improvement, but theyre not in a hurry to make your life easier. The TSA cares about security, says Bruce Schneier, security expert and author of Schneier on Security, but if you want to make security faster, there need to be more lines. (MSNBC -- Travel)
Robo-scanning at airports may be near Oct 20, 2009
Two years ago in this column, I wrote that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) was deploying Behavior Detection Officers (BDOs) at Americas airports to watch for suspicious behavior exhibited by people at those facilities. The program purported to teach undercover TSA employees to scan people at airports not just passengers waiting to pass through security, but everyone for tell-tale signs of nervousness, which could then lead to their being interrogated and... (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
I was the victem of identity theft, but when the thief found out how bad my credit was, he gave it back to me.... Oct 20, 2009
TSA, you gave me the OK to leave my bag with a TSA approved lock. I expected to have the same lock on my bag when I got to my destination. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Metro)
Airport inspector admits thefts Oct 20, 2009
The case was investigated by the Transportation Security Administration, Office of Inspection and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Arlene Fisk. 94. (NJ.com -- Times)
What readers said: Gov has right to travel privacy Oct 18, 2009
Then he better disclose and prove who he is, have the "proper traveling papers," where he's going, why and what's the deal with all that money in his pocket to any TSA agents, border patrol or the cops who ask. I believe the governor should be able to go some places without everyone knowing where he is. (Montana Standard, MT)
Commissioners approve grant to improve airport security Oct 16, 2009
This is a grant we re seeking because we have a heightened awareness from the TSA, Border Patrol, DEA and U.S. Customs over the last couple of months, Lyssy said. It s a security system where these agencies can log in at any time to view activity at the airport after hours. (Port Lavaca Wave, TX)
Tourette's trauma Oct 15, 2009
TOURETTE SYNDROME Named after French neurologist Dr George Gilles de la Tourette Often inherited although its cause is not yet known Could involve abnormal processing of brain chemicals including dopamine It is estimated about 300,000 people have the condition in the UK Believed to affect up to one in every 100 schoolchildren The symptoms usually emerge between the ages of five and 18 Fewer than 15% of people with the syndrome display the obscene language tic Sources: TSA and Tourettes Action... (BBC News -- Health)
Airport renovations to boost safety Oct 15, 2009
Terminal, baggage area, TSA. Long, crowded waits for luggage should be shorter and less crowded once terminal improvements are done, scheduled for Oct. 1, 2010. (Juneau Empire)
Wronged travelers to get new system for filing complaints Oct 15, 2009
The support system is an existing system of the Transportation Security Administration. The system was expanded and modified to form the backbone of the multiagency TRIP created in 2007 to deal with travelers complaints about errors in watch list databases, document information and other problems. (FCW.com)
T&D Sports: Quick Hits Oct 14, 2009
Kelsey Decker 6-3, 6-2; Sidney Long (TSA) def. Rebecca Cantley 6-4, 6-2. (Orangeburg Times and Democrat, SC)
ISRO eyes satellite launches from Europe Oct 14, 2009
In addition, Nair said ISRO expects more launch opportunities from the US and Europe following the recent technology safeguards agreement (TSA) with America ... Before TSA with the US getting a clearance of this kind was very laborious and time-consuming, he said, adding that with this agreement, it "will be easier for the countries to come to us. So that may improve our launch frequency and launch contracts for outside users" ... Following the TSA, ISRO has now lined up for launch a satellite... (India Times)
' + dsq_num_posts + ' Comment' + (dsq_num_posts != 1 ? 's' : '') + ' Oct 13, 2009
Officers and detectives from the Port of Seattle Police Department, in cooperation with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), arrested three individuals and seized 11 kilograms of cocaine last week as part of the largest drug seizure ever at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, according to a port press release. Three suspects were taken into custody immediately and were indicted Thursday by the U.S. Attorneys Office. (Enumclaw Courier Herald, WA)
Carbon footprint smoke and mirrors Oct 13, 2009
Perhaps Wal-Marts researchers should consult with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), whose threat level color code has proved so instrumental in protecting our nation from terrorist attacks over the past eight years ... consult the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), whose threat level color code has proved so instrumental in protecting our nation from terrorist attacks over the past eight years. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
Q: Why do I have to go through full security when I’m just going back home after an international flight at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport? Oct 12, 2009
A: Currently all international passengers arriving on International Concourse E at Hartsfield-Jackson exit into the sterile, domestic areas of the airport and, therefore, need to recheck their bags and undergo security screening by the Transportation Security Administration to meet U.S. security requirements, airport spokesman John Kennedy said. This applies to both Atlanta-bound passengers and those connecting to domestic flights. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Metro)
Con Air: Convicted Drug Kingpin, Arms Smugglers Keep Licenses to Fly in the U.S. Oct 10, 2009
The cases call into question the ability of the FAA and the (TSA) to detect and purge high risk individuals from the list of approved pilots. After 9/11, the TSA was charged with alerting the FAA of individuals posing a threat to "transportation and national security.". (ABC News)
DHS Web sites vulnerable to hackers, IG says Oct 10, 2009
The nine sites including sites for DHS agencies that include U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Coast Guard, and the Transportation Security Administration had recommended security settings and controls in addition to strong password and access controls, but had weaknesses in other areas, Skinner wrote. Several components scored better on security. (FCW.com)
Pilot whose gun discharged on plane is rehired Oct 10, 2009
A 2002 federal law allowed pilots to carry handguns on board if they took part in a program run by the Transportation Security Administration, which includes a week of weapons training. Langenhahn's gun fired shortly before landing on a March 2008 flight from Denver to Charlotte, North Carolina. (MSNBC -- Travel)
Airport tops for self check-in Oct 10, 2009
Delta is among carriers that offer electronic boarding passes in some locations through a Transportation Security Administration project. Mobile check-in, which made up only 4. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Business)
Liquid misery to stay Oct 9, 2009
In the United States, some 875 X-ray machines are at work in 78 airports, according to the Transportation Security Administration, but officials admit that alarms still go off far too often when innocuous liquids pass through. And even with huge research funding, developers reckon at least another 12-18 months of work is required on the complex algorithms needed to distinguish reliably between, say, nail varnish and nitroglycerine. (iAfrica.com)
Electronic Privacy Information Center: Privacy Oct 8, 2009
Plans were announced by the Transportation Security Administration to propose the trial use of backscatter x-ray for passenger screening at several U.S. airports. Information about biometric technologies and privacy implications. (Yahoo News -- Online Privacy)
Security scare shuts down airport terminal Oct 8, 2009
That alarmed TSA guards who began chasing the man. Airport security decided to shut down Terminal C while they questioned him. (KHOU.com, TX)
Checkpoints briefly closed at Houston airport Oct 8, 2009
TSA to continue restricting carry-on liquids on flights ... And TSA spokesman Christopher White was widely quoted last fall as saying, "We're confident it's going to happen in 2009.". (Fresno Bee -- Nation)
Love Field nabs $3.6M for security cameras Oct 7, 2009
The money for closed-circuit television cameras is part of a broader, $519 million renovation of Love Field that is set to be completed in 2014, according to Mike Restovich, federal security director with the TSA at the airport ... All cameras will feed into a command center run by the , along with a TSA operations center, Restovich said ... In late September, the TSA awarded $6 million to for similar upgrades to its closed-circuit TV system. (Dallas Business Journal, TX)
5 Things That Republicans In D.C. Need To Understand Oct 7, 2009
NOTHING HAPPENS UNLESS HE ALLOWS IT FOR A REASON OF HIS OWN.We are in a "perfect storm" (loss of wealth due to 9/11 followed by formation of TSA and other national defense investments, Katrina and the NECESSARY war on terror) indebted us. Now, however, we have the leadership in the hands of neo-Marxists, who quadrupled the exiting debt, pushing hard to sell us goods that may just become the straw to break the camels back. (Townhall.com)
Report Says TSA Violated Privacy Law Oct 7, 2009
The report on Secure Flight says that "the disparity between what TSA proposed to do and what it actually did in the testing program resulted in significant privacy concerns being raised. . . . Privacy missteps such as these undercut an agency's effort to implement a program effectively, even one that promises to improve security." ... The report notes that TSA eventually revised its public notice about the program to reflect more closely the program itself ... TSA Administrator Kip Hawley said... (Yahoo News -- Privacy Issues)
14-year-old boy boards flight using mom's name Oct 6, 2009
Transportation Security Administration spokesman Dwayne Baird said that the boy who is 6-foot-2 and weighs about 200 pounds was asked by a TSA screener if his name was "Virginia," the first name of the passenger listed on the ticket. The boy said yes, was allowed through security and made the flight. (Longview Daily News, WA)
Naughty travelers Oct 6, 2009
Candace Quinn, an executive consultant who lives in Washington, watched such a traveler hurry through the TSA screening area at Chicagos OHare airport recently ... That got the attention of a TSA officer, who didnt approve. (MSNBC -- Travel)
Missing Canby teen with Asperger's flew to Chicago alone Oct 5, 2009
Dwayne Baird of the TSA said video of security checkpoints at O'Hare and Portland airports show the youth going through ... Baird said that the biggest concern for the TSA, airline safety, was upheld because the teen passed through without any illegal substances or objects ... Johnson pointed out that all passengers must first clear TSA security checkpoints before boarding. (KGW Northwest NewsChannel 8, OR)
Airports target luggage thieves Oct 5, 2009
The Transportation Security Administration s automated inline baggage system at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, completed in 2007, limits human contact with most passengers bags. Surveillance cameras monitor transportation security officers when they go through flagged bags to search for items that set off warnings, making it easier to investigate theft claims, officials say. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Metro)
Public records for Oct. 3, 2009 Oct 5, 2009
SUITS: U.S. Bank NA v. Shawn P. Jones, real property; BAC Home Loans Servicing LP v. Roy C. Schultz, real property; Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. v. Sharonann Sharp, real property; Bank of New York Mellon v. Alexander Sandi, real property; SunTrust Mortgage Inc. v. Faye H. Lucas, real property; Bank of America NA v. William K. Phillips Jr., real property; HSBC Bank USA NA v. TSA Batts, real property; Everhome Mortgage Co. v. Andrew F. Metcalf, real property; Bank of America NA v. Lourdes... (Daytona Beach News Journal -- Local)
Area Snapshots Oct 4, 2009
Local security firm awarded contract Covenant Aviation Security of Anaconda and business partner, Trinity, were recently awarded the Montana Transportation Security Administration essential air service security contract. The contract was awarded after TSA decided to privatize passenger and baggage screening at seven airports throughout the state. (Montana Standard, MT)
* No rest for the security weary Oct 3, 2009
Adams, 63, says he has routinely had to wait 30 minutes or more for a Transportation Security Administration official to check his ID and enter his name in a logbook ... Adams said, however, that he was able to avoid additional security screening and subsequent delays on two flights last month for which he used his full name, James L. Adams Jr. He said he still hadnt received a response from the Transportation Security Administration about his problems on earlier flights ... Last month, the... (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
Investment group wants to revive Registered Traveler Oct 3, 2009
Program has no security benefit, TSA official said ... TSA, once a co-sponsor, has reduced its involvement in the program during the the last year ... TSA was the co-sponsor from 2005 to 2008 and continues to set requirements for the program. (FCW.com)
Ticket to the Moon Oct 2, 2009
Even as President Bush flew to India, officials from both countries were working hard to hammer out acceptable texts for highly complex bilateral umbrella agreements - called the Technology Safeguards Agreement (TSA) and the Technology Assistance Agreement (TAA) for space co-operation. Experts say that the end product of these talks was the "Chandrayaan-1" agreement, which is how the Bureau of Export Control finally gave Nasa permission to ship the instruments. (BBC News -- Americas)
FBI probes bomb threats on 2 Miami-Boston flights Oct 2, 2009
Nothing turned up in the search, according to the Transportation Security Administration. The passengers stayed overnight in Miami and left the next morning for Boston. (Fresno Bee -- Nation)
SEE U: TSA to expand use of body scanners that penetrate clothing... Oct 2, 2009
TSA to expand use of body scanners - USATODAY.com ... TSA to expand use of body scanners ... The House of Representatives in June overwhelmingly passed a measure that would restrict their use by the TSA to passengers flagged by other types of screening, such as metal detectors. (The Drudge Report)
And puppy dog tales (96) Oct 2, 2009
The puppies were part of an educational exhibit by the Transportation Security Administration Canine Breeding and Development Center, where dogs are trained to detect explosives at airports and other transportation facilities ... The puppies were part of an educational exhibit by the Transportation Security Administration Canine Breeding and Development Center, where dogs are trained to detect explosives at airports and other transportation facilities. (Boerne Star, TX)
Laughable but perhaps a threat: the 'keister bomb' Oct 2, 2009
"We are aware," said Andrea McCauley, at the federal Transportation Security Administration, a branch of the Department of Homeland Security, in Dallas. "We have a lot of different layers of security in place.". (AZCentral -- News)
4 programs that collect innovative ideas from government employees Oct 1, 2009
Four TSA staff members sort through 300 new ideas every month, bringing in the people with winning proposals to have them participate in implementing them. Army Field Manuals. (FCW.com)
9 good things about air travel Sep 30, 2009
things about air travel - Tips- msnbc. things about air travel. (MSNBC -- Travel)
CSC confirms TSA contract win Sep 30, 2009
Falls Church-based CSC (NYSE: CSC) will provide support services to each TSA Office of Information Technology throughout the country and at all U.S. airports for information technology security and business activities. Shares of CSC closed at at $53. (Washington Business Journal, DC)
Al Qaeda Bombers Learn from Drug Smugglers Sep 30, 2009
tsa will be all over this ... You got your change, raise your concerns about cavity searches with your current dear leader--he's got the TSA now. (CBS News)
Airplanes, oxygen and the media Sep 26, 2009
The TSA wastes a lot of time and money on an inefficient fight against the wrong enemy By Patrick SmithTuesday, Saturday 2, 0 00:00 ... And that's not the worst of TSA's let-me-get-this-straight policies ... Later, making my connecting domestic flight, I had a frustrating chat with two TSA guards at the checkpoint. (Salon)
Airport gets $6.9M for baggage screening Sep 26, 2009
We are thrilled that TSA has selected Wichita Mid-Continent s new terminal project to receive the sophisticated new baggage screening technology, said Victor White, director of airports for the , in a written statement. Passengers will be able to check in their bags at the airline ticket counter and then proceed to the gate. (Wichita Business Journal, KS)
Unisys loses $2B TSA contract to CSC Sep 26, 2009
TSA has not made any formal announcement ... By the beginning of fiscal year 2006, TSA spent most of the contract ceiling without receiving many of the contract deliverables critical to airport security and communications, one report stated ... As a result of the lost contract, there likely will be some re-badging of Unisys employees to continue working on with TSA through CSC, and Unisys could protest the decision, one source said. (Washington Business Journal, DC)
Congressman claims TSA harassment Sep 25, 2009
A Utah lawmaker opposed to the use of full-body scanners accusses TSA workers of harassing him during a search at Salt Lake City Airport ... Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) that TSA personnel "harass[ed]" him after he refused a to walk through a full-body scanner upon request ... In June, the congressman proposed an to a TSA authorization bill that would prevent security workers from using the whole-body scanners as a primary search method. (TheHill.com)
Permit Conditions Revised for Youth Shooting Range Sep 25, 2009
Due to the close proximity of the airport, YESS must get approval from the Federal Aviation Administration and Transportation Security Administration. YESS members noted a verbal agreement has been received. (Missourian Publishing, MO)
Assistant Public Defender Admitted To Drug Education Program Sep 25, 2009
State police said Smith was arrested Sept. 1 about 8 a.m. after Transportation Security Administration officers at Bradley reported that a glass vial containing a white powder was found in Smith's possession at the main security checkpoint. The substance tested "positive for illegal substances," state police said. (FOX61, CT)
Ask the pilot Sep 25, 2009
The TSA wastes a lot of time and money on an inefficient fight against the wrong enemyBy Patrick Smith. Table Talk. (Salon)
FAA Finds Severe Safety Issues at O'Hare Sep 25, 2009
Debris on Runways, Untrained Workers Among Violations Cited at Transportation Hub. United Airlines flights on the tarmac at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. (CBS News)
DHS considers new structure for EAGLE II Sep 24, 2009
DHS officials said in the notice that they're contemplating the changes because of their experiences with the current EAGLE contract, including their observations of how often agencies awarding task orders use certain of that contract's functional categories, and also "the need to accommodate pricing strategies, which allow for adjustment over the life of the contracts, as well as the use of industry best practices, such as green invoicing and quality certifications. The initial EAGLE... (FCW.com)
Helena airport gets high-tech Sep 24, 2009
Previous to this technology, all bags were searched by hand in some form or fashion, according to Helena's Transportation Security Administration screening manager Philip Stuczynski. The new equipment offers on-screen viewing of baggage in order to streamline airport security procedures. (Montana Standard, MT)
The journey of carry-on contraband Sep 23, 2009
Kitchen sinks, machetes and chain saws have been confiscated by TSA. TSA screens about 2 million passengers on any given day ... An Atlanta TSA officer holds up some prohibited knives surrendered by passengers over the last month. (CNN -- Travel)
3-Hour Limit for Tarmac Delays Gains Steam Sep 23, 2009
The passengers on the Continental flight, from what I read were not allowed in the terminal since there were no TSA screeners available. That being the case the TSA needs to review their policies ... It sounds like most of those problems were caused by the Government FAA and TSA.. (CBS News)
Column: Where did McNeil Island molesters get the porn? Sep 23, 2009
rastor wrote on Sep 22, 2009 8:38 AM:" Staff, visitors, and vendors...OH MY! If they checked everyone in and out as diligently as TSA is "supposed" to check us in and out of airports they would probably cut a much higher percentage of contraband deliveries. ". TDN Bad Boy wrote on Sep 22, 2009 8:47 AM:" Imagine my surprise (not). Child molesters with child porn at a govt-run, taxpayer fianced spa for molesters. How can this surprise anyone? First we learn of field trips to fairs for insane... (Longview Daily News, WA)
Congressman to hold forum Thursday Sep 23, 2009
Panelists include Clarence Abernathy, small business specialist for the CBP; Demetria Carter, small business specialist, FEMA; Robert Boone of the TSA; Bonnie Echols, acquisition lead, GSA; Wesley Stith, Clark Construction; Ralph Thomas III, Baker, Thomas , LLP; Ted Fells, CEO of Nucore Vision, LLP and Karen Bailey of Resource King International, LLP.. Reader Comments. (Greenville Delta Democrat Times, MS)