aviation security

TSA Stops Chewbacca’s Light Saber, Despite TSA’s Policy on Carry On Light Sabers

Last Monday, the 3rd of June, Star Wars star Peter Mayhew, better known as everyone’s favourite Wookiee, Chewbacca, was briefly stopped by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at Denver International Airport with his chest-high light saber. Standing 7-feet 2-inches tall, the light saber double’s as the 69 year old actor’s cane.   While the TSA…

The TSA Rereverses Its Already Reversed Decision On Knives As Carry On

This afternoon at 14:42hrs EST the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Administrator John S. Pistole sent an email to all agency employees regarding a “Prohibited Items List Update.”   The email, one which was expected by many, rereversed an already reversed decision by Administrator Pistole to withdraw the March 5 2013 announcement that passengers would be…

Gunman In Houston : Shootings, Airports & Security Threats

The headline of “Lone Gunman Opens Fire & Commits Suicide” is becoming all to frequent. Major headlines have most notably occurred in the past few months in movie theaters and schools. Today another headline appears in the same manner, but inside an airport terminal and the only victim was the gunman.   While details are…

TSA Delays Changes To Prohibited Carry On Items & It Makes No Sense

Later this week, on the 25th of April, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) was all set to adjust its list of prohibited items allowed to be carried into an aircraft cabin, including small pocket knives, golf clubs and certain types of bats, however these changes have now been delayed.   In an e-mail from TSA…

The Resurgence Of “Keep Your Boarding Pass Out In The Passenger Screening Area”

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has long since done away with the redundant process of requiring passengers to present their boarding pass to a Transportation Security Officer (TSO) before passenger screening, after they have already presented their identification and travel documents to the TSO acting as a travel document checker.   The process of double…

The U.S. Passport Card Identification Anomaly

Today marks the tenth time I have used my United States Passport Card as identification while flying a domestic flight rather than my drivers’ license since I received it this past February. Today also marks the fourth time a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Transportation Security Officer (TSO) checking identification and board documents has looked up…

When Pissing Matches Impact Security : PAPD vs TSA

Regardless of how you feel about the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) they agency serves a defined purpose, that of securing transportation security in the United States, primarily in airports. Working along side the TSA in airports are police officers, who are supposed to enforce the laws within the airports, ensuring airport security regulations are properly…

Can A Smart Phone Hack A Flight Computer? Not Really

Last week headlines regarding an Android App’s ability to hack an airliners’ in-flight systems computer once again invoked fear among travelers, however the reality is those fears exist in a virtual world scenario, not a real world scenario.   Hugo Teso, an IT security consultant with Germany’s n.runs AG, presented what appears to be some…

The TSA, 2.36″ Knives, Lack Of Threats & Real Threats

On the 25th of April the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will once again allow certain types of knives, and other prohibited items, to fly once again as carry-on items, which I detailed on the 6th of March in Sharpen Your Knives, Polish Your Golf Clubs & Fly!   Since the TSA’s announcement there has been…

Sometimes You Just Have To Giggle At Airport Security

Most television ads are barely noticed, they are white noise in the background, but sometimes an ad takes hold and does its job in making connection. For me, this evening one such television advertisement took hold bringing together two things I pay attention to … the Pillsbury Doughboy and Airport Security.   While readers of…