Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Whole Body Imaging Use Grows At Airports
One year after testing
whole body imaging at New York's Staten Island Ferry and weeks after a pilot program in the busy Phoenix airport, the US Transportation Security Administration is ready to start getting a closer look at consumers traveling.
For consumers who have been "patted down" or "frisked" while traveling, the new machine may seem like an alternative to an undignified position some travelers undergo because of their undergarments, medical devices or similarly benign issues. We wholeheartedly endorse national security and understand the need for stringent measures, but more than one consumer has shared with us that being frisked in the middle of a crowded public facility is unpleasant at best and often embarrassing.
Hand-held metal detectors are often used in such cases, but a nervous twitch can cause the machine to come in contact with a traveler's 's body. And while many consumers seem resigned to shuck off their shoes and travel through the airport in stockinged or (heaven help us) bare feet, removing jackets, belts and other clothing is often time-consuming at best.
"I like belts with big buckles," one consumer recently told me. "I can't wear them to the airport though because I have to take off my coat, my shoes, my belt and put my computer in a tray. I used to be able to just undo the buckle and show them the back, but now I have to take it off, and it's not worth the hassle."
Whole body imaging is supposed to replace the need for a pat-down although other measures will still be in force. Many travel and privacy advocates say a whole body image invades a consumer's privacy, but federal officials counter with a statistic that 90% of travelers subjected to the process in Phoenix preferred it to a "pat down" or similar measures.
The TSA also says that they will not maintain or store records of any captured images, but that doesn't address the point that the consumer is, well, exposed, for a time to strangers.
The image on the left is representative of what the TSA says its officers will see. With paperless bordering passes and other biometrics processes quickly being tested throughout the nation, we want to believe that this image isn't stored, but we also wanted to believe that doctors wouldn't read a celebrity's medical file and IRS employees wouldn't snoop through the taxes of the rich and famous.
Without more explanation of what safeguards are in place to protect a consumer's privacy, whole body imaging is a promising idea we can't yet support. Once we learn that images will never be associated with personally identifyig information and that no mechanism exists to save the image, we would be more willing to endorse and embrace this idea.
There clearly isn't enough time for that public reassurance, however, because the government has announced that travelers moving through Los Angeles' LAX or New York's JFK airports will soon be subjected to whole body imaging or being frisked if they set off a detector.
Apparently willing to base taxpayer dollars and consumer acceptance on a limited one airport test, the TSA has also reportedly ordered 30 more machines for use in other airports this year.
Labels: airport, privacy, TSA
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Cigarette Lighters, Breast Milk Cleared To Fly
The Transportation Security Administration is about to make moms and smokers happy again.
This week, the government agency charged with protecting the nation's air travel, lifts its two year old ban on carrying cigarette lighters aboard flights. Breast milk, long a contentious issue because mothers were limited to 3.4 ounces, can now also be carried aboard even if a child is not present.
In addition to the public complaints against the breast milk prohibition, the
TSA reports that it was confiscating about a half million cigarette lighters each month. The agency had banned lighters from flights, which are non-smoking, because of an attempted terrorist attack in 2001. What remains unclear is why
TSA took more than three years to implement the short-lived ban.
All other carry-on restrictions, including the infamous 3 ounces of liquids or gels, remain in effect when the rules change August 4.
Labels: travel, TSA
Monday, July 02, 2007
Air Wars Over Who Strands More, But Consumer Help Web Publishes Official Data
Fur, empty peanut bags and soda cans have been flying around airline cabins after a group of American Airline passengers reportedly formed a special interest group to lobby for airline passenger rights after being stranded on the airline. Commercial aviation groups have fought back, and the rhetoric has been heated on both sides.
As the U.S. Independence Day holiday approaches on July 4, here is the important data you need to know if you're flying:
* Expect security to be heightened after terrorist attacks in London and Glasgow.
* Don't worry about getting back in to the United States given the well-publicized passport delays if you are going to Canada, Mexico or the islands. Do worry if the country to which you are traveling requires a passport. The State Department
made an announcement about this weeks ago.
* The biggie has to do with liquids. Everyone will be in line. Everyone will be tired and/or excited. Don't hold the security line up. Here is the definitive word on liquids and other carry-on items:
The following rules apply to all liquids, gels, and aerosols carried through security checkpoints.
1. All liquids, gels and aerosols must be in three-ounce or smaller containers. Larger containers that are half-full or toothpaste tubes rolled up are not allowed. Each container must be three ounces or smaller.
2. All liquids, gels and aerosols must be placed in a single, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag. Gallon size bags or bags that are not zip-top such as fold-over sandwich bags are not allowed. Each traveler can use only one, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag.
3. Each traveler must remove their quart-sized plastic, zip-top bag from their carry-on and place it in a bin or on the conveyor belt for X-ray screening. X-raying separately will allow TSA security officers to more easily examine the declared items.
There are exceptions for baby formula, breast milk, and other essential liquids, gels, and aerosols, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines.
TSA calls this policy 3-1-1, and they don't mean Nick Hexum.
Check out the rest of the rules before you leave for the airport.
If you're driving, you may be familiar with AAA's famous gas price survey. The auto club now has an even better tool --
a database of 85,000 filling stations that lets you find the least expensive fuel options. Use it, and put the extra scratch in your pocket for a sparkler.
Labels: AAA, airline, FAA, gas prices, travel, TSA
