TSA Updates Electronics Power Up Security Measures At U.S. Airports & Who’s Behind It
Earlier today I posted … TSA’s Electronics Power Up Security Procedure Implemented In U.S. Airports & Why Its A Sham … discussing the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) new security procedures being implemented not overseas, but in the United States, requiring “selectee” travelers to power up their electronics airport security check points.
Under today’s changes to the new security measure, added to the TSA’s Playbook on July 7th as Operations Directive 400.5, named SEL-001, TSA Transportation Security Officers (TSO) TSOs are required to have Selectees power up their electronics. Under the language changes to the new Operations Directive a “selectee” with an electronic device that will not power up, they will have the option to dispose of the item themselves or surrender the device to a TSA TSO, with the TSO being required to notify the onsite management of how the device was disposed of.
Under the previous language of OD 400.5, if a selectee passenger could not power the device up they would be allowed exit the screening area to charge the device and then try again. If the device failed to turn on following vein charged outside security the selectee passenger could leave to security to place the device in their vehicle or give the device to someone known to them, but not traveling with them. If the selectee passenger chooses to surrender the device to a TSA TSO, the TSO was required to place the device in the HazMat bucket.
Much like how this new security measure is being implemented overseas, not all passengers in the United States are subject to inspection of their electronic devices. The percent of “selectee passengers” is currently less than 2% of all passengers boarding flights in the United States; based on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) background checks of all passengers.
Yes, the TSA is the easy agency to jump on, however the new security measures currently being implemented for electronics being powered up at security screening overseas and in the United States, were based on input from a number of agencies, with in the DHS, White House Intelligence, the National Security Agency, Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Defense Intelligence Agency and other related agencies.
So while blasting the TSA is easy, as ill conceived as this security measure may be, they are just the public facing agency implementing this security decision, where as other sit quietly out of the limelight while the TSA takes the heat.
Happy Flying!
So now a passenger with a valuable electronic device with a drained battery at the screening checkpoint who happens to get selected for additional screening may be denied the chance to leave the checkpoint and preserve their legitimate property rights to retain their own property which is legally possessed by the passenger?
This sounds like governmental confiscation of property without due process, if that is how it turns out to work in practice.
So how are you selected? Pre check exempt? What is included in disposing of your device? Can you put in car? Give to your agent friend in the landside club? This is insane!
If these guys really have the technology to be able to load enough explosive into an iPhone with an electronic trigger that will bring down a plane, does anyone really think having people turn on their electronic devices will make any difference? Just how hard would it be, if you are that good, to simulate an iPhone being on? Will TSA be checking each device to make sure it’s actually functioning the way it should?
Step 1. TSA troll spots valuable electronics on unsuspecting traveler.
Step 2. Slow the line or cause delay to drain battery.
Step 3. Confiscate said electronic.
Step 4. Easy x-mas gifts.
John Jr.
Ummmm … no.
Happy Flying!
-Fish