There has been considerable controversy over the deployment of the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) backscatter whole body image scanners and millimeter wave scanners (referred to as WBI Scanners from now on). Some people see the scanners as a violation of their personal right to privacy, others have religious objections, and others object simply because they…
Back on the 9th of January 2007 the United States Congress passed the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act (9/11 Act). The 9/11 Act was signed into law, as Public Law 110-53, by the President on the 3rd of August 2007. Included in the 9/11 Act was the Certified Cargo Screening Program, an initiative…
As of the 21st of June 2008 the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) required all passengers over the age of 18 to present a valid form of federal or state issued photo identification to cross from the ‘land side’ to the ‘air side’ of an airport to fly on a commercial flight. While the TSA states…
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…
At the time the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) was created on the 19th of November 2001 by the Aviation and Transportation Security Act the annual cost of airport security in the private sector in the United States was an estimated US$700,000,000 … or US$849,897,815 adjusted to 2010 dollars. Presently the cost of “Aviation Security” within…
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,…
As a photojournalist I began documenting airport security on September 15th 2001 and since creating Flying With Fish in January 2006 much of my research on airport security. The reoccurring information that I have consistently encountered since 2001 is that everyone hates the airport security experience. In many cases people dislike the airport security experience…
This week’s Reader Mail comes from Molly in Ireland who asks “Immigrations and customs seem to be used interchangeably at the airport. I’ve notice when entering many countries they wear the same uniform. Is there a difference?” Well Molly … While many nations have merged Immigrations and Customs into one larger agency, such as US…
5/2/2010 –TSA Hires Felon & Forces Airport To Issue Security Badge It appears the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has placed Richmond (VA) International Airport (RIC) in a troubling situation regarding the issuing of a security access badge to a convicted felon … and that the TSA’s own policy for criminal background checks of Transportation Security…
19/1/2010 – So…I Got A Phone Call From The US Congress… Last week while heading out to pick my kids up at the bus stop I receive an unexpected phone call. Of course given that I never expected two Federal Agents to show up at my door one evening, nothing should phase me, but this…
