Readers frequently write me complaining of their interactions with the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) front line Transportation Security Officers (TSO). For the most part over the past few years my interactions with the TSA’s front line agents have been generally been fairly uneventful … even pleasant at times … although I knew at some point…
With the implementation of the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) “enhanced pat down” screening process last week many travelers have complained that they feel violated by the TSA Transportation Security Officer’s (TSO) touching their body. With the new ‘enhanced pat down’ TSOs are allowed to placed their hands, palms forward, between a travelers legs, touch a…
With all the negative press related to of aviation security and by extension the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) over the past week, today I’d like to step back and discuss what the TSA is doing to make air travel safer … taking a look back over the month. The TSA’s primary mission, in response to…
Over the past few years the topic of “Security Theater” has come up more often than passengers complaining about checked baggage fees. The inconsistencies surrounding passenger security often makes for a quick sound bite on the news, or a one liner quote in print (and online) stories because it is generally an easy topic to…
Ahhh … airport security regulations preventing items from passing with a passenger through a security checkpoint. They are not always consistent, and sometimes the encounters while frustrating at the time can be humourous once the dust has settled later on. This week’s reader mail comes from Ron in Houston. Ron asks “With Lady Gaga being…
A constant complaint from travelers is an inconsistent security and airline policy experience. This week’s reader mail addresses a wide range of these inconsistencies. This reader mail comes from Derek in Phoenix … who asks his question about security and carry-on policy in multiple parts. Derek asks 1) which airport strictest? like: nothing sharp, even…
A viral video has begun spreading that shows a Muslim woman in a veil not revealing her face as she passes an Air Canada gate agent while boarding a flight from Montreal (YUL) to London (LHR) … or so the person who shot the video says. I have reviewed this video, entitled “A major Canadian…
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has battled many public relations gaffs as the young agency finds its feet overseeing transportation security in the United States. The agency promotes its career opportunities on its careers website as “From law enforcement to technology and from security operations to management, we are looking for dedicated people with the…
A week ago the United States Senate did something it rarely if every does … vote unanimously. Last Friday, on the 25th of June, the United States Senate voted to confirm John S. Pistole to the position of Administrator for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) … just five weeks after President Barack Obama nominated Pistole…
Last night around 11:45pm law enforcement officials arrested Faisal Shahzad, the suspect in the most recent New York, Times Square, terrorism attempt after he had boarded Emirates Flight 202 for Dubai, from New York’s JFK Airport. Law enforcement was quite close to missing Shahzad, in fact not only was Shahzad on board Emirates Flight 202,…
