New Airport Security Screening

[chinadave2001]

I decided to post this for three reasons.

1. We are all frequent fliers so we are all likely to be impacted by this.

2. It's more eveidence of the Big Brother mentality now prevalent in America.

3. It suggests to me, if I understand it, that Airlines can determine the security threat of a person in a matter of hours. Why, then, does it take our government so d@#$%^& long?

 

dave

 

 

U.S. plan: Threat level for every flyer

ACLU objects, calls background checks unconstitutional

Friday, February 28, 2003 Posted: 11:20 AM EST (1620 GMT)

 

 

 

Delta Air Lines will try the plan at three airports beginning next month.

 

A new system possibly would check financial records and terrorist watch lists to determine if airline ticket buyers are potential flight risks. CNN's Patty Davis reports. (February 28)

 

 

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Civil liberties groups are objecting to a government plan for a new system that would check background information and assign a threat level to everyone who buys a ticket for a commercial flight.

 

Activists see the potential for unconstitutional invasions of privacy and for database mix-ups that could lead to innocent people being branded security risks.

 

"This system threatens to create a permanent blacklisted underclass of Americans who cannot travel freely," said Katie Corrigan, a lawyer for the American Civil Liberties Union.

 

There also is concern that the government is developing the system without revealing how information will be gathered and how long it will be kept.

 

The system, ordered by Congress after the September 11 attacks, will gather much more information on passengers than has been done previously. Delta Air Lines will try it out at three undisclosed airports beginning next month, and a comprehensive system could be in place by the end of the year.

 

Transportation officials say a contractor will be picked soon to build the nationwide computer system, which will check such things as credit reports and bank account activity and compare passenger names with those on government watch lists.

 

Advocates say the system will weed out dangerous people while ensuring law-abiding citizens aren't given unnecessary scrutiny.

 

Transportation officials say CAPPS II -- Computer Assisted Passenger Prescreening System -- will use databases that already operate in line with privacy laws and won't profile based on race, religion or ethnicity.

 

"What it does is have very fast access to existing databases so we can quickly validate the person's identity," Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta said.

 

Airlines already do rudimentary checks

An oversight panel, which will include a member of the public, is being formed. The Transportation Security Administration will set up procedures to resolve complaints by people who say they don't belong on the watch lists.

 

Transportation Department spokesman Chet Lunner said a Federal Register notice saying the background information will be stored for 50 years is inaccurate. He said such information will be held only for people deemed security risks.

 

Jay Stanley, an ACLU spokesman, was skeptical.

 

"When it says in print, 50 years, we'd like to see something else in print to counter that," he said.

 

Airlines already do rudimentary checks of passenger information, such as method of payment, address and date the ticket was reserved. The system was developed by Northwest Airlines in the early 1990s to spot possible hijackers.

 

Unusual behavior, such as purchasing a one-way ticket with cash, is supposed to prompt increased scrutiny at the airport.

 

Capt. Steve Luckey, an airline pilot who helped develop the system, said CAPPS II will help discern a passenger's possible intentions before he gets on a plane.

 

Unlike the current system, in which data stays with the airlines' reservation systems, the new setup will be managed by TSA. Only government officials with proper security clearance will be able to use it.

 

Would you be a green, yellow or red risk?

CAPPS II will collect data and rate each passenger's risk potential according to a three-color system: green, yellow, red. When travelers check in, their names will be punched into the system and their boarding passes encrypted with the ranking. TSA screeners will check the passes at checkpoints.

 

The vast majority of passengers will be rated green and won't be subjected to anything more than normal checks, while yellow will get extra screening and red won't fly.

 

Paul Hudson, executive director of the Aviation Consumer Action Project, which advocates airline safety and security, is skeptical the system will work.

 

"The whole track record of profiling is a very poor to mixed one," Hudson said, noting incorrect profiles of the Unabomber and the Washington-area snipers.

 

Nine to 11 of the 19 hijackers on September 11 were flagged by the original CAPPS, but weren't searched because the system gave a pass to passengers who didn't check their bags, Hudson said. People without checked bags are now included.

[skibum]

I am glad the government is finally getting it's act together and protecting me and my loved ones. In the past, they have barely done a half-assed job. I am glad the the ACLU has nothing better to do than to worry about what color code is assigned to me. Leave me alone. If there is a mistake, I will take care of it. ACLU is a sign that we have way too many lawyers in this country.

[chinadave2001]

I agree with you up to as point, but sorting people out on the basis of a credit check? God, I'll be delayed every time.

Dave

[owenkrout]

If they consider paying with cash a problem, then most of the Chinese will be flagged. Most things are still done on a cash basis here. Watching the guy going to Korea with his whole family counting out 100 RMB bills off a huge stack at the airline office was a trip. The China Northern main office in Shenyang is where they laughed at us for even asking about putting the tickets on my Mechants Bank of China Visa card.

[Eric&Yuhui]

If they consider paying with cash a problem, then most of the Chinese will be flagged.  Most things are still done on a cash basis here.  Watching the guy going to Korea with his whole family counting out 100 RMB bills off a huge stack at the airline office was a trip.  The China Northern main office in Shenyang is where they laughed at us for even asking about putting the tickets on my Mechants Bank of China Visa card.

wasn't a stolen one was it ??

[owenkrout]

They wouldn't have known if it was. The first guy took the card with a puzzled look and looked at it like it was some new fangled invention and leans over to the person next to him with a, "Summa?" (What's this?). She was the one who just started laughing. In Shanghai, I charged a ticket three years ago, but Shenyang is .... well.... a bit more traditional.

[Eric&Yuhui]

They wouldn't have known if it was.  The first guy took the card with a puzzled look and looked at it like it was some new fangled invention and leans over to the person next to him with a, "Summa?" (What's this?).  She was the one who just started laughing.  In Shanghai, I charged a ticket three years ago, but Shenyang is .... well.... a bit more traditional.

Frankly, I do realize China is a cash economy somehow, although not even close to say Bulgaria or Romania , but I've never really had real probs using a visa or amex there in my 12 trips those past 2 + years..... Anywhere.. OK..... flea markets DO NOT take AMEX Gold. Dang...

You guys are paranoid

[owenkrout]

Its according to where you are in China, Eric. The cities that have had more contact with the outside world tend to accept credit cards pretty easily. Sometimes a bit too easily it seems to me. Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Beijing, etc. But the cities that are still more traditionally Chinese still regard the whole credit card thing with suspicion. This is one of the things that is changing and by the time of the Olympics, you will have no problem in any city of size using a credit card, I am sure.

[Eric&Yuhui]

Its according to where you are in China, Eric.  The cities that have had more contact with the outside world tend to accept credit cards pretty easily.  Sometimes a bit too easily it seems to me.  Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Beijing, etc.  But the cities that are still more traditionally Chinese still regard the whole credit card thing with suspicion.  This is one of the things that is changing and by the time of the Olympics, you will have no problem in any city of size using a credit card, I am sure.

Absolutely.... I whipped out my AMEX-BillGates edition card in Urumuqi back in August.. No problem dude !

Go to Sofia, like I said.... It's green backs only pretty much, except in hotels..

Where I was able to actually withdraw Bulgarian Levas from an ATM in the hotel.

Unbelievable !

I ditched AMEX traveller checks at least 12 years ago !

The one country I found practically impossible to use ATM's is INDIA... Even in Mumbai ( Bombay ) or New Delhi... There are'nt just any !

[Mick]

While I am all for increased security, particularly with airports, I cannot see how this system will do anything to deter a clever terrorist. All the data they are checking can be easily faked. What will happen, no doubt, is that some poor schmuck who has had financial problems in the past will be screened out. Like most things our government implements, this too is a case of bungling and misplaced priorities. Sorry, but I am still a civil libertarian and always will be. If the government, especially our current administration, actually read the constitution and acted accordingly, we wouldn't need so many lawyers. Don't mean to be offensive to anyone here. That is the beauty of this board, and America, we have the right to disagree and still be friends.

[Eric&Yuhui]

Don't mean to be offensive to anyone here. That is the beauty of this board, and America, we have the right to disagree and still be friends.

you'll hear from my lawyer soon you dweeb....

[Mick]

Don't mean to be offensive to anyone here. That is the beauty of this board, and America, we have the right to disagree and still be friends.

you'll hear from my lawyer soon you dweeb....

Will he send me a check? Or a background check????

 

BTW: Got that toilet cleaned yet? Be sure to use a brush, ok?

[Eric&Yuhui]

Don't mean to be offensive to anyone here. That is the beauty of this board, and America, we have the right to disagree and still be friends.

you'll hear from my lawyer soon you dweeb....

Will he send me a check? Or a background check????

 

BTW: Got that toilet cleaned yet? Be sure to use a brush, ok?

Mick : I got my checklist ready for this week-end my man !! Thanks for the reminder !

<excerpt of said list >

1/ Scan premises THOROUGHLY for any exe's long-forgotten letters/ pics

2/ Make sure the place looks like it's always been like that ! Geez

3/ Give neighbor the cherished S.I Swimsuit collection

4/ Hang giant 3 meters long poster on balcony " WELCOME TO AMERICA ! "

5/ Those December dirty dishes?? Yep.. Gotta go !

6/ Erase all computer "flirty" chats with stranger that you said you never had...

7/ Three words... Pizza-thons are out for a while !

8/ Toilet cleaning.. Note to self: Put the damn seat down !

9/ Dirty unmatched socks... See # 5

10/ Damn ! I can't wait Wednesday night !!!!!!!!!!

[Mick]

A word of advice Eric, in your haste to put the house in acceptable order, don't forget the car as well.

 

Glove compartment, under the seat, trunk....who knows what sordid items might be lurking there.

[Eric&Yuhui]

A word of advice Eric, in your haste to put the house in acceptable order, don't forget the car as well.    

 

Glove compartment, under the seat, trunk....who knows what sordid items might be lurking there.    

That was covered too !! Good point !!! I might be Frog, but I ain't stupid, boy.

She can bring an FBI forensic team on Thursday... They'll leave empty handed..

 

Gawd, I can't wait...

Damn, I KNOW I'm forgetting sumethin I'll pay for the rest of my life..But WHAT is it???????????