FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - My bag set off the ETD, sort of . . .
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Old Jan 16, 2005 | 8:46 pm
  #21  
studentff
20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: BOS and vicinity
Programs: Former UA 1P
Posts: 3,730
Originally Posted by TSASCRNR
That is required information after an alarm.

What the information is used for, is... well... SSI. :-:
Screeners at some airports claim it is destroyed after the flight lands safely--somehow the pax is a suspect if the flight blows up even though the bag has been cleared by TSA.

I know it's not your (TSASCRNR) fault or the fault of other TSA posters on the board, but TSA as an agency is going to have to get over this whole hiding behind SSI thing.

The whole info collecting thing is a huge privacy act violation as discussed in other threads, but TSA seems to like exempting itself from the Privacy Act even though they are not an agency with arrest powers like the police (who can collect info without PA disclosures). Funny thing is that TSA could put itself in compliance with the PA by putting a one line disclosure on the form where the info is and giving the supervisors collecting the info 5 minutes of training. But I digress . . .

There was a great thread a while back where the traveler was using an address-less ID (INSPASS or passport, don't remember), set off the ETD, and the TSA demanded a DL with an address on it because a DL (specifically, as opposed to other ID) was "required to fly" and the pax might lie about his address. A LEO intervened and took the side of the pax; i.e., that a DL was not required to fly.

Personally I do not ever show my DL at the airport and never intend to do so. If I ever set off the ETD, the result will probably be a long chat with the supervisor and a LEO and me exiting the checkpoint area to rebook my flight. I will give my address to a LEO and to the airline but not to an agency that gives no information as to why it is collecting info or what it will do with it.

Giving your address to the TSA is too risky--there could be a paperwork snafu and you could be sent a $250 civil fine for carrying explosive hand lotion with no recourse to escape and the fine doubling if you contest it.
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