Air Travelers May Be Assigned Color Codes

The Associated Press ^ | 09/09/03 | Staff Writer

[bedolido]

U.S. Prepares to Assign Color Codes to Air Travelers; Critics Fear System Will Be Too Intrusive.

WASHINGTON Sept. 9 — The government and the airlines reportedly will phase in a computer system next year to measure the risk of every passenger who boards a flight in the United States by using color codes.

According to the Washington Post, passengers will be assigned one of three codes, based in part on their travel plans, traveling companions and the date the ticket was purchased. Sources say those coded "green" will easily pass through security checkpoints. Others will be coded "yellow" and face additional screening. An estimated 1 to 2 percent who get "red" coding will be barred from boarding and face police questioning. They may be arrested.

Critics fear the new system will be far too intrusive, and that some people will be mistakenly "flagged" and even falsely arrested.

Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

[Eala]

That's going to do wonders for their business...

Things like this have me wishing for a job that doesn't entail travel.

[AxelPaulsenJr]

Ah yes, for certain the idiots will color code "Red" all ninety year old grandmas while simultaneously coding "Green" all 18 to 35 year old Muslims traveling with bombs strapped to their waists.

[BlazingArizona]

This system is already in place in Europe.

[justshutupandtakeit]

Attacking every proposal and ridiculing the government is the MO of the RATS. Do you have an alternative? All I have seen out of you is criticism of Bush and attacks on his administration. What did I miss?

[steve-b]

If they would slip through with a trusted traveler card why wouldn't they slip through now? It's not like the trusted traveler will get to skip the metal detector.

If somebody with the magic card still gets the same security screening, then why bother having it at all?

[steve-b]

Do you have an alternative?

Put a good blackjack next to the barf bag and markup catalog.

[tdadams]

You're being disingenuous. I didn't say they'd get the same screening. I only said they'd still pass through the metal detector.

There is no perfect solution, but I don't think government can provide us the level of security some will demand without enacting a state of martial law. That's an option in my opinion.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

THAT ought to tell us something - socialista Europe leading the way on this one.

[tdadams]

Argh, stupid computer. That should read "That's NOT an option in my opinion."

[MatthewViti]

credit checks are also part of this bastardly scheme. so, if one has bad credit, expect to be flagged or denied boarding.

[MatthewViti]

It's so refreshing to see that there are people at a CONSERVATIVE website that are perfectly fine with the govt' having carte blanche. You're the ilk which George Orwell warned us agaisnt. I don't want to live in an Orwellian society. Take your "RAT" mantra and stuff it.

[Snowy]

credit checks are also part of this bastardly scheme. so, if one has bad credit, expect to be flagged or denied boarding.

If your ticket is already paid for, why would they care what your credit is?

[MatthewViti]

bad credit = risk

[Snowy]

bad credit = risk

Risk for what? We all know that AQ and other terrorists are loaded with money. If anything, bad credit should give you a 'green'. :)

[MatthewViti]

just shows how stupid the govt is when it comes to matters like this.

[river rat]

Actually, only two colors are required....

Islamic and non-Islamic....

There were no airplanes in the 7th century - so there should be no objection if they are refused the sin of flight.....

</sarcasm>

Semper Fi

[MatthewViti]

Actually, only two colors are required.... Islamic and non-Islamic....

I like the way you think!

[ASA Vet]

Perhaps they should consider "tattoos" for a more permanent "branding"

Excellent idea, but rather than a "number"
as the Nazis' used we can use a "scannable uv barcode."
A mandatory chip implant could be the next step.

[TruthNtegrity]

And you're just the type I saw being stopped on my last flight to Florida! And an elderly lady was also stopped - had to have help taking off her shoes, for Pete's sake.

I went to the ticket counter and told the idiot behind it that if they didn't stop the 2 Arabs in the line then I wasn't going to get onboard. About 5 mins. later, an airline employee approached them, and took them to a side table, searching their carryons. But I wonder. If I hadn't said something, would they have done it for fear of being accused of "profiling". Since the terrorists were 19-30 years of age, and definitely Arab looking, why are we not allowed to PROFILE!?! This is stupid.

I know that if I buy a ticket a week before a flight, I will be targeted but the terrorist who buys their ticket with cash, 2 weeks ahead of time? Nope - they get right onboard!

Americans are so stupid, it makes me crazy.

[1Old Pro]

Actually, only two colors are required.... Islamic and non-Islamic....

You're assuming the screeners know what they're doing.....