Fliers face new queries at Logan (Airport, Boston)

[meegbear]

Trial program is first in country

The Transportation Security Administration plans to start testing an expanded behavior-detection security program today at Logan International Airport, the first airport in the nation to roll out the enhanced screening method.

Under the program, TSA officers will speak with every passenger passing through the Terminal A security checkpoint, asking each two or three questions, such as “Where are you traveling today?’’ or “How long have you been in town?’’ Officials said the intent is to detect suspicious behavior - such as someone sweating profusely or avoiding eye contact - a process the TSA estimates will take about 20 seconds per passenger.

“We’re not looking for the answers necessarily; we’re instead gauging the reaction, the response to the question,’’ said George Naccara, TSA federal security director at Logan.

If a person is deemed to be a possible threat, he or she will be pulled aside for additional screening, such as a pat-down or a bag search, and in some cases the Massachusetts State Police will be alerted. Questioning will take place at a separate podium after a traveler’s documents have been checked, and those identified for more screening will be sent to a third station.

“We don’t expect to have any disruption in service,’’ said Todd Smith, director of aviation operations for the Massachusetts Port Authority.

<snip>

http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2011/08/02/fliers_face_new_queries_at_logan/?camp=fb

[MineralMan]

1. I have no problem with this at all.

I expect that some will, though. I'll be interested to see what the arguments against this might be. One thing's for sure, though: Smart-ass responses to these questions won't work to passengers' benefit. Examples:

"That's none of your business."
"I live here, you moron."
"Under the protections of the 5th Amendment..."
"Screw you."

[Hassin Bin Sober]

19. No matter the "AY-RABS" will probably the people consistently "answering in a suspicious manner."

[Loge23]

2. Subjective analysis - won't work

Is this the best we can do? Have Gomer ask questions and decide if the answers are on the level or not? How qualified are these people to make that call?
The whole charade is just utterly ridiculous.

[nc4bo]

4. Especially since they just let their intentions known in public LOL

So now TSA will also wear the hat of trained behavioral analyst.

How much do they get paid to do this again? More than likely not nearly enough.

Cops ask these types of questions all the time :shrug:

[MineralMan]

5. The Israelis seem to do pretty well with this strategy.

In fact, many opponents of current strategies of the TSA think this new approach is the answer. But, if you get questioned, I highly recommend that you call the TSA person "Gomer" when you answer. That ought to work really well.

[nc4bo]

7. PDs do this and I'm sure they're well trained enough to spot suspicious behavior.

Honestly, I'd rather be asked some questions than to go through that nekkid machine.

[MineralMan]

8. Yup. Although I don't care about the scanner thing. So far, I

haven't been selected for that, but it wouldn't bother me.

[izquierdista]

14. Trained?

TSA employees need training to know that babies drink breast milk. TSA employees need training to learn that little girls will cry when you finger their crotch. TSA employees probably need to check the training manual to tell shit from shinola.

[Loge23]

12. I'll remember that!

I always like to give my interrogators the respect they deserve!

[truebrit71]

16. Yup, far better to just be a Good German and produce one's papers, yes?

:eyes:

[mainer]

3. They've been doing this for years in Amsterdam airport

There, it ends up feeling more like a friendly chat than anything else.

[peace13]

11. You probably pay your folks more than minimum wage and require some type of education.

In the US it is any mans guess who will be questioning you.

[CBGLuthier]

6. None of your business. None of your business.

Nation of fucking sheep will bleat bleat in line.

I always avoid eye contact. It is in my nature. This is more stupid shit based upon assumed neuro-typical behavior.

[MineralMan]

9. Please step over to counter 3. You'll need to go through

additional screening.

[peace13]

10. Reminds me of my encounter with Homeland 'Security' last week on the lake.

We were sailing along the Canadian/American border on Lake Erie and HS swoops up from behind us and comes along side. Where were you, where are you headed, how many people on board, what nationality are you? When I realized that we were still heading for the island while looking backward at the patrol boat and officers I quickly looked over at the depth gauge to make sure that we still had plenty of water. This got the officer totally cranked. "How many people on board! How many people on board?' Two sir. "Then why did you look inside the boat just then?" To check the depth meter, we have 32 feet of water. We are heading for land and I was concerned. " Oh...well OK"

That was it. If he really thought that I had more people on board he should have boarded us and made certain. If my furled brow and brusk answer, in a tone of disgust for his lack of sea knowledge helped me pass the test then I think the test is highly flawed. Long story short, they let us go we dropped our anchor fifteen minutes later and preceded to watch these clowns rush up to boat after boat 30 minutes before sunset. I guess they were getting their quota in before dark.

[truebrit71]

13. Our tax dollars hard at work...

:eyes:

[truebrit71]

15. So wait, the folks that aren't smart enough to get the lettuce-cutting job at McD's..

...are now going to become behavior-detection experts? This is the most obvious example that the TSA is all about the theatre and bugger-all to with ACTUAL security...

Oh, and being pulled aside to have your meat and two veg fondled because you didn't pass the 'test' the minimum-wage rent-a-cop just gave you is a TEXTBOOK violation of the Fourth Amendment.

Sweet Jeebus what has happened to this country?

[Gin]

17. I think this is better than being frisked or scanned...(IMO)

[nc4bo]

18. Multi-tasking...

They've been doing it for years. Eliminating or downsizing the size of agencies and staff and forcing those left behind to do the jobs of 10 people, often time crossing over job descriptions to do so while keeping the same rate of pay. Sorta like a jack of all trades and masters of none stuff. They tell us it's all for the sake of efficiency and cost cutting, blah-blah-blah.

Just more of the same old jizz that's been occurring throughout the years.

All of it is disgusting.

[KamaAina]

20. Suspicious behavior, such as avoiding eye contact?!

Guess I and other Autistic people will just have to take the train down to Providence and fly from there. :grr: :banghead: