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TSA is actually making changes in policy

Sometimes, I like to take a break from talking about business blogging and b2b social media to explore another favorite topic of mine – The Transportation Security Administration.

I would like to think that the individuals who have been outraged by TSA policies on children has triggered the type of response we all have been seeking – CHANGE.

I am and have always been a vocal critic of the TSA and its policies. I have always written to both my Congressman and Senators questioning the purpose of screening children, pregnant women and little old ladies. I have written to my Congressman, Andre Carson, Senator Evan Bayh, Senator Dan Coates and Senator Richard Lugar.

Of the four representatives, only Senator Lugar has addressed my letters directly with excellent follow ups. Andre Carson sends a crappy form letter, Evan Bayh does his political double speak that says nothing, and Dan Coates did not even acknowledge my letter.

I do have an update for you.  According to Senator Lugar’s office, the TSA are making changes:

“On April 15, TSA Administrator John Pistole shared that passengers can expect changes to current TSA procedures—including to protocol that allowed for the recent pat-down of a six-year old girl in a New Orleans airport.  The Administrator stated that TSA is presently working to implement changes that would categorize certain passengers, such as children, as ”trusted passengers” and give them a different passenger screening experience. I am hopeful that TSA will use common sense in drafting these procedures and will promptly implement these expected changes.”

In addition, the Nudoscan is getting an update as well.

“They are conducting field tests on Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) software, which eliminates passenger-specific images and instead highlights an anomaly on a generic outline.  Pat downs used to resolve such anomalies would be limited to the areas of the body displaying an alarm.  This software may be a substantial step forward in further addressing passenger privacy concerns, while continuing to meet TSA standards of security.”

I would like to think that these changes are the result of people like you and me engaging our elected representatives to do something. In the case of Indiana, Senator Lugar appears to be the only one addressing the issue. The rest? Well, I am not very  impressed with their follow up.

To think that Republicans in this state want to get rid of Senator Lugar seems surreal to me. He is one of the great statesman of our time. He not only represents Indiana well, but is an Ambassador for our country

This week, I did receive my response from Senator Dick Lugar.

It will be a sad day when Senator Lugar no longer represents the State of Indiana. He is one of the finest men I have had the pleasure to meet. His legacy will forever be a positive one, not only for Indiana, but for the world as a whole. I-465 should be renamed after him. The State should put up a statue to him. He is the only politician I have met in public that was present when talking to me.

I have written to his office many times and always get an answer.

Here is the difference between Lugar and anyone else I have written – he addresses the issue. He does not always agree with me. But, he always addresses the issue.

In the case of my letter regarding the Testical Squeezing Authority (TSA), he says, “I agree that our policies must strike a careful balance between security and individual freedoms and privacy. A number of recently implemented TSA security measures have caused some disruptions, inconveniences, and privacy concerns. Important questions have been raised about the ultimate effectiveness and appropriateness of these procedures.” In the meantime, “I have taken the liberty of forwarding a copy of your letter directly to the TSA and have requested a response.”

For anyone reading this who would like to represent your state in Washington, this is how it is done. (Although, now that my letter was forwarded, I guess my testes will get a squeezing).

Paul is the President of Professional Blog Service. PBS works with clients making strategic investments into blogging, social media and search engine optimization.

I got my response from Evan Bayh’s office.  I am not surprised by it. On most issues I have written tohim, I always get a form letter. He did not disappoint here. A good old fashion form letter that does not really say anything other than, “I support security and security is important to our safety.” blah…blah…blah…..

Granted, Mr. Bayh is the outgoing Senator from Indiana and I guess eyeing a run to replace our current Governor here in Indiana.

Dear Mr. Lorinczi:

Thank you for contacting me about improving airport security.  I appreciate your thoughts and concerns on this important issue.

Since, the events of September 11th we must face terrorism and move forward to create a more safe and secure world.  We need to ensure that we protect our communities against every possible threat.  It is extremely important to take steps toward improving the security of our nation’s air transportation system.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) was created by the Aviation and Transportation Security Act (P.L. 107-71) in response to the attacks on September 11th.  The TSA is now under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security.  The TSA is now solely responsible for the security pre-screening of passengers and luggage as well as being responsible for Flight Marshals and other security precautions.

Recently, the TSA has enacted several enhanced passenger screening measures in order to address several new security threats.  These measures include the use of full-body scanning technology as well as updated pat-down methods.  As airport security policy continues to evolve, we must carefully balance the need to ensure passenger safety with the fundamental right to privacy that all Americans are entitled to.

Rest assured that I will continue to follow the matter of airport security closely and will keep your thoughts in mind if legislation is considered in the Senate.

Again, thank you for contacting me.  I hope the information I have provided has been helpful.  My website, http://bayh.senate.gov, can provide additional details about my work in the Senate, including legislation and state projects.  You can also sign up for occasional email updates.  I value your input and hope you will continue to keep me informed of the issues that matter to you.

Office of Senator Evan Bayh

(202) 224-5623

Russell 131

Washington, D.C. 20510

Not happy that I received a form letter. While I appreciate a response, I find this too vanilla to be a response.

Congress and the President need to listen to guys who run airports: http://pdl.me/clttsa

November 24, 2010

Mr. Paul Lorinczi
The Lorinczi Family
402 Edgemere Dr
Indianapolis, Indiana 46260-4103

Dear Ms. Lorinczi:

Thank you for contacting me to voice your concerns about our nation’s homeland security policy. The opinions and concerns of my fellow Hoosiers are essential to the decision making process as a Member of Congress.

As a former Department of Homeland Security official, I have served on the front line in our nation’s War on Terror. I am a strong supporter of a comprehensive homeland security policy that includes improving our intelligence agencies, enhancing our military capabilities and strengthening our domestic law enforcement agencies.

As your Representative in Congress, I am diligently working to defend our homeland and improve our national security apparatus. To ensure the safety of the United States, I believe it is imperative we put forward and enforce appropriate regulations to resolve longstanding immigration problems we are facing in this country. Furthermore, I strongly support the brave men and women who serve as border agents and protect Americans against drug violence and drug trafficking. Please be assured, I will share your views with my colleagues as the House continues with its legislative agenda during the 111th Congress.

I appreciate hearing your thoughts on this important issue, and I hope you will continue to contact my office on future issues. I encourage you to visit my website at http://carson.house.gov where you can view the latest news and updates about pertinent issues and legislation important to you. You may also sign up for my weekly e-newsletter The Carson Courier and receive periodic updates on my activities in Washington. As always, my staff and I are here to serve you. Please feel free to contact me if we ever can be of further assistance to you.

Sincerely,

André Carson
Member of Congress

Testical Squeezing Authority – TSA

Thank you SNL for a great laugh.  I was waiting for someone to put a parody up on the whole TSA buzz.  It appears that Washington is taking notice. There has been some agreement in backing down on some of the more aggressive pat-downs. I still think a complete overhaul and approach to the TSA needs to be examined.

It is not a privilege to fly on airplanes. For some, it is their jobs.

Let’s review a few things:

1. 1 year old-12 year old kids are not terrorist threats – no need for aggressive pat-downs.

2. 60+ old men and women with new body parts from Podunkville USA are not terrorist threats.

Chances are, you are looking for a pissed off young person between the ages of 18-35 who have been convinced that 100 virgins are waiting for them at the end of their mission.

I found this blog post from a brave young woman in Ohio who is obviously shaken up by her experience and fearful of

sharing her experience. After all, she should be, everyone knows that breast feeding mothers are a major security threat to people flying out of Dayton, OH.

In her post, she uses the term (TSA) Total Sexual Assault.  How appropriate a description of what is happening.

Ladies and gentlemen, it is time to write to your Senators and Congressmen.  This insanity has to stop. Sexually assaulting breast feeding mothers will not protect us from terrorists.  Enhancing our intelligence of suspected Terrorist groups will. “WE NEED TO FIND BAD PEOPLE, NOT THINGS .”

I wrote to my Senators and Congressman, it is time you guys do too. Just go to their websites and find the contact button.

For the record, I have been talking about this for 8 years. There is a better way.

Dear Senator Lugar,

The terrorist have won. We should put up the white flag and declare them the winners.

John Pistole testifies that he also has gone through the enhanced pat downs on flights.

Why is John Pistole going through enhanced pat downs to get on a commercial flight? Is he a security risk to his fellow passengers? Does belong to a radical group that has threatened to take down airplanes? Is he showing signs of nervousness? Did he buy his ticket with cash? Is he on a one-way ticket? Does he look like someone that could afford a full coach ticket purchased the day before? Or, is he just a pervert that likes to be felt up?

MS suffering retired Doctor and Indiana Vietnam War Veteran is forced to get out of his motorized chair to get through security at the airport. He also receives a full body scan. He used to run Navy boats on the Mekong River in Vietnam serving his country. He is a real threat to his fellow passengers. An American Hero treated like a criminal in his own country.

I am sure that you have heard many of the stories that are circulating around the country right now. I read a good one from a young Mom in Dayton who describes her experience and the shock she felt going through it. How many mothers with breast feeding infant children with the name of Erin from Dayton, Ohio taken down airplanes with explosives in their pants?

The TSA budget is $6 billion dollars. Michael Chertoff was a lobbyist for the company that is selling the affectionatelycalled the “Nudoscan” – images that do not get leaked to the Internet. (There are a bunch of those out there too). The money we are spending on machines could better be spent hiring real security specialist like the Israelis to consult and build an effective system of airport security using intelligence and human profiling.

Chances are, we will find a bad person using those methods than the current, “Finding Things Approach.” that is totally counter to our American liberties.

My former boss at American Airlines said it right, “We need to start finding BAD PEOPLE, not things.”

Total Sexual Assault (TSA) needs to be shut down. Encourage President Obama to hire Bob Crandall as Transportation Secretary and let’s stop the insanity of the TSA.

It could help the economy improve in the process.

I took a trip to Florida this past weekend for business. I have to admit, I have not been on an airplane for a while. I used to work for American Airlines years ago and traveled often. I was a pro – literally. Since my time there, my current position as President of Professional Blog Service has not put me on too many airplanes, as we are able to conduct most our business online.

I used to travel a lot. I took my first trip when I was just 1 year old. It was to Budapest, Hungary. My brother said I cried all the way over to London on our Pan American (Pan Am) flight. (At least that what my brother says. I don’t remember).

As I got older, I took a lot more flights even in my youth to visit relatives in Europe. I flew a lot to Florida as well. Back in those days, it was always fun, even when things went wrong. Trips to Budapest were always an adventure because it was deep dark communism in the 60s and 70s. There always seemed to be a hundred check points with “passport please” from a uniformed army guy making sure that one of their citizens was not escaping. Airports and borders had uniformed army with AK-47s strapped to their back.

Have times changed. Going through the airport today in the United States is just a pain in the catooshi (as my wife would say-though I am not sure that is how she spells it). Instead of passports, we now show our driver license. We take our shoes off, our belts off, our leg braces off and are herded like cattle. Old men with hip replacements are scanned like suspects because the guy who can barely walk is got to be a suspect because the metal detector went off. Today, I feel like always saying MOOOO! when I am in line.

The Hungarians were actually smarter about processing people. They asked you questions about where are you going and what are you doing. If you had a US Passport they usually waived you through or asked what you were bringing into the country. They could not have you bringing blue jeans into the country and selling them on the black market.

For my flight to Florida, I made sure I wore shorts and sandals and had my laptop bag and a small weekend bag with clothes and a Dobson kit. I wanted to get through security without taking any clothing off with shoes I could slip on and off. Despite this preparation, I overlooked one small thing. I brought shaving cream so I could shave and be presentable for my client meeting.

Wouldn’t you know it, they pulled my bag aside. I am startled. What? It’s full of clothes. “Oh yeah, my Dobson kit.” The girl says, “I am sorry, this is too big (shaving cream), it has to stay here.” I am thinking, “Damn, I was so careful.

Here is my beef with the whole episode. She asked me no questions. We are spending all this money confiscating harmless items out of people’s Dobson kits without asking a single question. If you want me to feel safe, ask me questions, look at how I bought my ticket, find out what is in my head. I will gladly answer questions to where I am from, where I am going and what I am doing with confidence. I have nothing to hide. I am not a suspect either.

You need it because a terrorist can get through. We are spending all this money on machines for little old men to get a full body scans because their hip replacement triggered the metal detector. What a waste of time and money. If someone is going to blow up a plane, they are going to be nervous. You find nervous people and train your security to find nervous people. We need to look for people. The current system is a complete waste of money.

The current budget is $6.0 BILLION. $1 BILLION of which is printed money. To top it all off, Michael Chertoff is using his influence to peddle the new full body scanners.

According to the Washington Post:
Chertoff’s advocacy for the technology dates back to his time in the Bush administration. In 2005, Homeland Security ordered the government’s first batch of the scanners—five from California-based Rapiscan Systems.

Today, 40 body scanners are in use at 19 U.S. airports. The number is expected to skyrocket at least in part because of the Christmas Day incident. The Transportation Security Administration this week said it will order 300 more machines.

In the summer, TSA purchased 150 machines from Rapiscan with $25 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds.

What Chertoff has failed to reveal in his message. Rapiscan are his clients. And, Congress approved the funds. BOOOOO!

As we try to herd the masses through, the bad guy is getting through. The current system relies on technology to find things, despite the fact that it is people that commit the terrorist acts.

“WE SHOULD BE LOOKING FOR BAD PEOPLE, NOT THINGS!” Stop the madness already!

Let’s find a way to find people. The Israelis have been doing it for years. I would rather see us spend money providing a real security process than lining Michael Chertoff’s pockets and the pockets of his buddies with printed money.

In one of the strangest stories this week, a 4 year old boy was asked by the TSA in Philadelphia to remove his leg braces and put them through an x-ray machine.  The boy needed the braces to walk and he was made to go through the machine without the aide of his mother.

Here is the twist.  The boy’s Dad is a Police Detective form Camden, New Jersey.

What is the problem with this story?  If you recall in the interview with Bob Crandall on an earlier post, he says that intelligence is what is needed to protect people.  Bob Schneier who is a security expert coins the TSA efforts as Security Theater.

I used to call on Garber Travel in Boston.  The old man, Bernie Garber was a man with sayings.  The first one you learned form him was that “Companies do not do business with companies, people do business with people.”  So, to borrow from Bernie, “Objects don’t try to kill people, people try to kill people.”

The current security system being operated is a waste of money and ineffective.  The unfortunate process that works is profiling. For every old lady, 4 year old little, or middle-aged Father of 2 they pull from the line, the real people they need to speak to are probably getting throw their silly gauntlet.

I always tell the story of my experience after 9/11.  I was in Hungary for my cousins wedding.  In Budapest, the Hungarians pulled out the old Communist playbook for handling the crowds.  The sterilized the airport and had multiple passport checks in place.  They were not so much concerned about my bags, as they were about me.

Here, the whole system is set up to find objects instead of people.  It’s completely backwards.

The TSA apologized for what they made the family do.  Let’s face it.  The system is totally broken and an alternative needs to be put into place.  It is killing our airline industry and putting a crimp in economic development.  Fewer people are inclined to travel knowing the hassle with TSA at the airport.

We should all be apologizing to the family in Philadelphia because our irrational fears and realize that we should be looking for people, not things.

I worked for American Airlines when Bob Crandall was running the company. To this day, I love to read or hear what it is he has to say. He is a tell it like it is kind of guy and always has been. The the difference between Bob Crandall and a lot of so called, “Tell it like it is guys today”, his commentary on the airline industry is based on fact and experience.

I was in International Sales at American Airlines in the early 90s. When we started running flights Internationally, we hired the Israelis to provide us with security consulting. The 5 layers of which he speaks, American Airlines has been doing since 1990 on International flights. If you research the shoe-bomber case, the AA security people in Paris red flagged Richard Reid and did their job.

Bob Crandall is right. it is about finding the people, not the things. The security theater we all experience at the airport actually puts us at risk because the time they are checking the little old lady, they may miss the real threat getting on a plane. This point was made at the beginning of the report when bomb making material made it on a plane as a test as carry on because the screener missed it. Which does not surprise me. An eyeball can not be mindful of details on a screen for a prolonged period of time.

Good security is about intelligence and human behavior.

Bob Crandall is right. Not every Muslim is a terrorist, but today, most terrorists are Muslims. It is a fact.

President Obama, hire Bob as your new Transportation Secretary. He would do it to serve his country, just like Mr. CR Smith did for President Johnson in the 1960s. He is right, we need Managers running these large organizations not political appointees. If we have an inefficient transportation system, this economy will continue to suffer and the terrorist have won. (This problem is not a Democrat or Republican issue, they both do it wrong).

Michael Chertoff, the former Homeland Security Chief is touting the $150,000 scanners on national TV. His firm happens to represent the company that makes the scanners. Boo to Mr. Chertoff. Let’s just add some more tax to your airline ticket to pay his consulting fee and his client’s new boat.