Posted on 12/02/2005 9:07:47 AM PST by Atlas Sneezed
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - December 2, 2005
TSA Press Office: (571) 227-2829
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Beginning December 22, airline travelers can expect to see more random screenings, fewer prohibited items and a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workforce more dedicated to detecting and defeating more serious threats, such as explosives. These changes are part of an update to security procedures announced today by Assistant Secretary Kip Hawley, to address the ever-evolving threat to commercial aviation.
The specific changes include more additional screenings of passengers and their bags using a variety of methods selected at random. Passengers will also once again be able to carry small tools and scissors on-board aircraft. These changes will allow TSA to focus resources on more serious threats.
“It is paramount to the security of our aviation system that terrorists not be able to know with certainty what screening procedures they will encounter at airports around the nation,” said Kip Hawley, Assistant Secretary. “By incorporating unpredictability into our procedures and eliminating low-threat items, we can better focus our efforts on stopping individuals that wish to do us harm.”
Passengers will continue to walk through a metal detector and have their carry-on and checked baggage screened. However, these measures may now include a brief additional search of their person or their property. Examples of this additional screening include: explosive screening of shoes, hand-wanding of passengers, enhanced pat down searches and inspections of carry-on bags. These searches will be generated at random and will take only about a minute to complete. They will allow Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) to better screen passengers for explosives and other threats to the aviation system.
Beginning December 22, scissors with a cutting edge of four inches or less and tools such as screwdrivers, wrenches and pliers smaller than seven inches will be permitted on board. Scissors longer than four inches and tools such as crowbars, drills, hammers, and saws will continue to be prohibited from carry-on bags. Lighters will continue to be banned from the cabin of aircraft and in checked baggage.
In addition to these changes, the agency’s 43,000 Transportation Security Screeners have been re-classified as Transportation Security Officers (TSOs). This new classification illustrates that TSOs will be more empowered than ever before to use their knowledge and training to detect and defeat terrorists and to focus their attention to areas where the threat is greatest.
For more information regarding TSA, please visit our Web site at www.TSA.gov.
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LEL was detained by TSA for having knitting needles in her baggage.
They were afraid she'd knit an afghan.
So, we should bring an extra pair in case this causes the destruction of the first pair?
In addition to these changes, the agency's 43,000 Transportation Security Screeners have been re-classified as Transportation Security Officers (TSOs).Does this mean these loosers who flunked out of Mickey D's Burger Flipping College are also getting more money?
Hope not!
Ha ha ha! Aren't you clever. ;-)
Last time I flew, they flagged me. Obviously pregnant, with two little kids under 3.
Couldn't help but notice that cigarette lighters are still banned even from checked luggage. Couldn't be another "agenda of compliance", could it?
"Last time I flew, they flagged me. Obviously pregnant, with two little kids under 3."
The last time I flew I was given the third degree by two Middle Eastern TSA employees in head scarves. In Chicago I was pulled aside for the full treatment by a Russian TSA employee. The Russian was by far the most congenial and polite.
I know--silly thought--LOL!
They'll probably be used as "promotional items" given out free with any purchase of stuff stolen from you luggage and sold by TSA "officers".
They may figure they don't have to destroy the aircraft to terrorize. Just butcher a few passengers.
They can do that just as easily at a mall, a church, or a school. The only thing "special" about an airplane as a target is its susceptibility to being (relatively) easily destroyed or incapacitated, and the results of such action.
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