Air Passenger Code Plan In Motion

CBS News.com ^ | January 12, 2004 | anonymous

[snopercod]

(CBS) Precautions in the name of air security are about to taken to a level unimaginable in the United States only a few years ago.

The Washington Post reports the Bush administration is expected to order as soon as next month the first step in setting up databases on all air passengers, to be used to color-code each air traveler according to his or her potential threat level.

Passengers coded red would be stopped from boarding; yellow would mean additional screening at security checkpoints; and green would mean an only standard level of scrutiny.

Airlines and airline reservation companies would reportedly be forced to turn over all passenger records to U.S. government officials, who struck out in a trial program was based on voluntary surrender of airline industry data.

Not a single airline agreed to turn over data voluntarily.

The Transportation Security Administration hasn't completely given up on the idea of voluntary surrender of personal information, however.

The Post says the TSA plans to introduce this year a program for frequent fliers who could get through check-in lines at the airport faster - if they agree to give the government access to some of their personal information.

The larger program, involving the databases, has been discussed in government circles for months and has sparked concerns by privacy watchdogs.

The planned database program for monitoring air travelers is called Computer Assisted Passenger Pre-Screening, more commonly referred to as CAPPS II, because the one planned for rollout is a second generation of CAPPS I, the system now in use.

More than 8,000 people wrote the government with their concerns during the public comment period on CAPPS II, which ended on Sept. 30.

The American Civil Liberties Union, on its web site, objects to CAPPS II, saying it would make every American suspect, lacks due process protections for people who are unfairly labeled, is based on judgments made in secret, and would be easy for terrorists to circumvent.

The TSA, while noting that many of the comments it received appeared to be based on the same form letter, says on its web site that it has "significantly narrowed how the second-generation system will use passenger information to make flying more secure without impinging on individual privacy rights."

The government says the databases will not include bank records, credit ratings, or medical records.

Commercial database companies are expected to be involved in CAPPS II, but the TSA says they will be prohibited from storing or using passenger data for commercial purposes.

Boosters of CAPPS II argue that it will speed things up at the airport, by "reducing the number of people who undergo secondary screening, or who are consistently misidentified as potential terrorists."

Passengers who believe their data is wrong, or that the government's security assessment of them is wrong, are expected to address their complaints to a Passenger Advocate's Office to be set up to resolve those kinds of problems.

There will reportedly be some overlap between CAPPS II and the recently implemented U.S. VISIT program for fingerprinting and photographing foreigners, as both systems use the same terrorist and criminal watch lists.

In an interview with the Post, the department of Homeland Security's chief privacy officer, Nuala O'Connor Kelly, says that if the databases are merged, there would be strict rules about which agencies could use the information and how it could be used.

Many details remain up in the air, including exactly how long the data that is collected would be retained.

The TSA is expected to begin testing CAPPS II this year at a number of airports.

©MMIV, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

[snopercod]

Honest citizenssubjects have nothing to fear.

[snopercod]

Pern warned us about CAPPS II almost a year ago. Air Passenger Screening System Planned His thread got 5 unique comments.

Pretty sad...

[Eighth Square]

My sentiments exactly. Many people have failed to come to terms with the fact that we are at war, they just can't seem to except it. Since the enemy knows this they will exploit it. Your liberties and rights are of no use when you are standing admidst the rubble of your town, screaming "how did this happen?"

[NetValue]

Some good citizens fly frequently and are good Americans. They should not be subjected to "barefoot Willy" searches every time. This could shorten the lines at airports. A definite plus. About time!

[CholeraJoe]

If I can avoid the strip searches, I'm all for it.

[RightWhale]

a level unimaginable

No kidding. This has to be watched. It could easily morph into a Third Reich kind of security if the wrong persons gain control of the White House.

[Pern]

Many details remain up in the air, including exactly how long the data that is collected would be retained.

Details, details....

Notice the sheepleistic responses so far?

[cardinal4]

Whoa! This is NOT a good thing. Im in the industry and I can tell you this will be a bad thing. Once you are labeled there will be no changing it. I cant tell how I know, but suffice it to say that the "advocate" office will be window dressing. This a bad idea!

[snopercod]

So I guess that you are one of the people that Ben Franklin warned us about, then?

[antaresequity]

I prefer living in dangerous freedom to this crap.

No amount of saftey, perceived or otherwise is worth it.

[Constitution Day]

"You must have something to hide, or you wouldn't be worried about it!"

/sarcasm

[Doctor Stochastic]

The Government continues to replace people with information on people. A dossier can tell you everything but what is important.

[antaresequity]

I will go as far as to say that I am willing to risk another 9/11...

Bend over and kiss your liberty goodbye.

[DLfromthedesert]

And conservatives should continue to support this president because .... ?

[Timesink]

The solution: If this is implemented, stop flying, period, except when absolutely essential. When the airlines start heading towards bankruptcy again as a result, they'll find a way to lobby CAPPS II out of existence.

[snopercod]

Let's guess the types of questions which will be asked on their little "voluntary" questionaire:

• Do you own any firearms?

• Are you a pilot?

• Have you ever had martial arts training?

• Are you a member of the NRA?

• Do you now or have you ever belonged to (fill in name of right-wing organization here)?

[snopercod]

Hell, I'm already in their database, since I inadvertently left a Schrade folding knife in my briefcase the last time I flew. (They confiscated it.)

Funny thing though, the TSA didn't give me my required privacy act notice when they took down my SSAN, DOB, driver's license number, etc.

I guess they're above the law already...

[snopercod]

The airlines will be nationalized soon. Only they won't call it that.

[Constitution Day]

I think they're making up the rules as they go along.
Perhaps they think impediments like the Privacy Act don't apply to them.

Now I have to stop posting to you, because anyone who would carry a KNIFE in their BRIEFCASE is surely an evil Terrorist!!

;^)

[RJCogburn]

Thanx for the depressing ping.