A security solution / compromise?
 

I like many greatly dislike the TSA, I understand they have a job to do I just don't like they way they do it, reacting to threats, violating people, treating us like cattle. (I will be opting out on Wed, again)

So instead of complaining more I thought I would try and think of a proactive solution to the problem and this is what I came up with.

Step one – background check on traveler - this is currently done as the TSA requires full name and DOB of passenger. The airlines submits this info to the DHS for checks prior to flights.
Expand this portion to include a threat assessment level. Base this on life events and stability, is there a criminal record? On the cover does this person pose a threat. Do they have a family, do they have something to live for? Are they travelling alone, with family, or coworkers, are they US citizens?
Cross reference this info with the persons travelling history on airlines. Are they a frequent traveler? Have there been incidents onboard aircraft in the past?
This is a simple version that could create a treat level based on the person and their behaviours.

This threat level could be placed on a boarding pass in the form of a bar code or some other difficult for the public to read code.

Step two – Behavior profiling, Add TSA agents at the beginning of screening. These clerks will do the id check, verify the threat level via boarding pass code, verify that it is a legit boarding pass. Essentially cross ref the database to the traveler. They will also question passenger as to where they are going, why, and ask other questions as to the reason for travel. Customs at every country does this upon entry. Based on the threat level and behavior of the passenger a level of screening will be done. A guy that is about to try and kill himself and others probably will be a bit nervous.

Step three – today the threat is bombs, for an added level of security dogs will be used as needed as well as the bomb sniffing machines.

End the liquid ban, end the shoe ban

So the frequent traveler with the low threat level will be subject to the metal detector, and the standard x-ray of carry on materials. Cause an alarm and you go to secondary screening.

Higher threat levels justify higher security measures. All the way up to the ATI and “enhanced “patdown

Will it be expensive? Yea, but not anymore than the 1000’s of ati’s that the TSA is buying.

Would it be a comprehensive and proactive approach to judge a possible treat and act accordingly instead of the current policy of everyone is a terrorist until the TSA proves you’re not? YES

The vast majority of travelers are not a threat and would pass through the metal detector and standard baggage x-ray screening.

Generally good ideas but a big NO to this part.

Your suggestions make too much sense, and would lessen the profits of the companies that make the X-ray screening machines.

But yes, I see no reason for all this security theater. Compare the number of planes brought down by terrorism since 2001 (or since the beginning of commercial aviation) with the number brought down by mechanical failure, pilot error, or bad weather.

What would really make us safer in the air, far more than any security theater, would be more stringent equipment checks and double-checks and assurance that pilots were well-rested, psychologically sound, and not under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

What to do with the TSA short term-

1. Full accountability of TSA employees, with levels of discipline up to and including termination. A Citizen Review Board should be established to investigate allegations of screener abuse.

2. Initiate a focus on customer service training for screeners, instead of barking and asking “Do you want to fly today?” The fact that the TSA has publicly stated that customer service is not a priority in its Engage! training is appalling.

3. End the War on Liquids. The exemptions make it pointless, and even if there was such a Magic Liquid™ that could be used to create a bomb airside without laboratory conditions if you just had enough of it, just send ten guys through the checkpoint with their Kippie Bags and combine it airside.

4. End the Shoe Carnival. The X-Ray machine cannot detect explosives, period.

5. Eliminate the gate screenings. The fact that this is being done in MCI, where each gate area pretty much has its own checkpoint to start with, is proof that this is nothing more than security theatre and workfare.

6. Get rid of the No Fly List. There’s no effective means of redress or oversight how the list is managed. If the people on these lists are so dangerous, arrest them.

7. Stop the ID checks. The TSA has no need to know who I am or where I’m flying. This is nothing more than revenue protection on behalf of the airlines. The thought that I must “present my papers” to travel within the border of my own country is disgusting.

8. Stop using the checkpoint as a dragnet. College kids with a fake IDs, illegal aliens, or some common criminal wanted on a drug charge somewhere are not a threat to commercial aviation. We have other government agencies tasked for this.

9. Kill LASP dead in its tracks. There is no reason whatsoever the TSA should encroach on General Aviation. Personal Liberties — For the first time, the TSA’s regulatory activities would be extended to personal GA aircraft, historic and vintage aircraft, and operators, passengers, and pilots flying for personal and business use. As such, the LASP is a radical departure from anything the TSA has enacted to date. It would, in effect, require governmental review and authority before you could operate your own personal vehicle.

10. End the mission creep. No more TSA appearances at sporting events, bus and train stations, or highways. Let the real law enforcement professionals tasked with these venues handle things without interference from the TSA.

11. The junk science SPOT program gets the boot.

12. Stop the use and deployment of Nude-O-Scopes. They don't see into body cavities or detect explosives, are an intrusion into privacy and needlessly add to cumulative lifetime radiation doses. All that is needed is Walk Through Metal Detectors, x-ray of bags, and Explosive Trace Detection / Explosive Trace Portals (puffers) at the checkpoint.

13. The wearing of metal “LEO style” badges is stopped immediately, and replaced with the screeners name and identification number that is plainly visible.

14. Eliminate theatrics like the TSA Honor Guard. There is no need for screeners to dress up in costumes and parade around.

15. Stop any consideration of having screeners armed with firearms, or having any LEO powers.

What to do with the TSA long term-

The TSA should become a part of the DOT. Actual screening should be done by private contractors with oversight by the DOT or FAA. Funny how we never heard the constant stories of mistreatment and harassment of PAX, organized rings of theft and general thuggery when this was being done by private sector firms.

4) +1 Flying out of LHR yesterday morning, all I had to do was take off my belt, and coat, and I walked through the WTMD. No stupid shoe carnival


7) Again, flying out of LHR, the only people that checked my passport were the UA agents, and the lady who scanned my passport before I approached the UA counter. Nobody else asked to see my passport, except at the gate. Supposedly, I could have gone through security without it..

13) In London, they do not wear blue uniforms and tin badges. They had on more professional attire, and we not barking orders.

Amen, I will not be compelled to answer a government employee's questions about my travel habits.

Sorry, but these should not and hopefully will not fly (bad pun) for domestic travel in the United States.

First of all, what you describe would have massive unintended consequences. People who rent their home, people who have gone through divorce, people who move a lot or happen to have no family contacts, etc., would be singled out and punished. They would inevitably attempt to use credit records (as they did for CAPPS II and early incarnations of Secure Flight). This would disproportionately impact the poor, and minorities, and college students.

Second of all, the right to travel can not be made conditional on giving up other rights, i.e., the right to privacy and the right to remain silent. Where I am traveling and why is absolutely none of the US government's business. Next month I am doing an overnight transcon round trip solely to retain 1P status on UA; you think I want to tell the government that?

If a court ever rules that US citizens have to answer government questions as a precondition of domestic travel, it will be long past time to either hunker down or get out of the country.

None of what is going on now is acceptable, but replacing it with the half of the USSR/East-German Stasi model that the US has not yet implemented is not the answer.

You realize that insurance companies already do this right, except it's more indepth. I understand it doesn't make it right, but it already happens.
I'm just throwing ideas out there.

Taught to provide a solution if I'm going to complain about a problem.

So what? An insurance company does it for revenue generation - and lacks the ability to detain you, and completely mess up your life. Its a little different.