TSA behavior detection program
Nov 16, 2013 | 11:17 am
#272
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"An imperfect deterrent to terrorist attacks is better than no deterrent at all, " said American Federation of Government Employees National President David Cox, speaking in a conference call after the hearing. "Is it a perfect program? No, but until we have a better program, we shouldn't just trash and burn this program."
Nov 16, 2013 | 11:37 am
#273
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Nov 16, 2013 | 11:56 am
#274
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The hearing transcript won't be out yet, nor will we see the questions for the record that will follow in 4-6 weeks. But, I have every confidence that nobody on the committee was smart enough to ask your question.
Nov 16, 2013 | 1:39 pm
#275
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I see that lying isn't restricted to the occupant of the Oval Office in this administration.
Nov 17, 2013 | 8:32 pm
#276
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We're going to be stuck with this BDO nonsense for quite some time, as there is no critical mass in government to change that.
Mar 19, 2015 | 1:38 pm
#277
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NYCLU and ACLU Sue TSA for Records on Discredited Behavior Detection Program
A March 19, 2015 press release from the American Civil Liberties Union:
NYCLU and ACLU Sue TSA for Records on Discredited Behavior Detection Program
An excerpt:
NYCLU and ACLU Sue TSA for Records on Discredited Behavior Detection Program
An excerpt:
The NYCLU and the American Civil Liberties Union took the Transportation Security Administration to court today in an effort to uncover documents about a controversial passenger screening program used at airports nationwide.
The program is called Screening Passengers by Observation Techniques, or SPOT. TSA behavior detection officers watch passengers in airport screening areas for behaviors that the TSA associates with stress, fear or deception sometimes also engaging travelers in casual conversation. The officers then flag certain people for additional inspection and questioning.
Government investigators and outside experts have criticized SPOT as ineffective, unscientific and wasteful. The program has cost over $1 billion since 2007 and has been blamed by passengers and TSA officers themselves for numerous cases of racial profiling.
Todays Freedom of Information Act lawsuit is seeking records related to any scientific basis for the program, its effectiveness and how much minorities are disproportionately singled out.
The program is called Screening Passengers by Observation Techniques, or SPOT. TSA behavior detection officers watch passengers in airport screening areas for behaviors that the TSA associates with stress, fear or deception sometimes also engaging travelers in casual conversation. The officers then flag certain people for additional inspection and questioning.
Government investigators and outside experts have criticized SPOT as ineffective, unscientific and wasteful. The program has cost over $1 billion since 2007 and has been blamed by passengers and TSA officers themselves for numerous cases of racial profiling.
Todays Freedom of Information Act lawsuit is seeking records related to any scientific basis for the program, its effectiveness and how much minorities are disproportionately singled out.
Apr 15, 2016 | 12:08 pm
#278
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A behavior detection program was authorized last month by the French government for use at Paris CDG airport.
Which groups in France -- the land of "liberty, equality and fraternity" -- will sue the French government over this kind of discredited approach having been implemented?
https://www.yahoo.com/news/passenger...180705789.html
Which groups in France -- the land of "liberty, equality and fraternity" -- will sue the French government over this kind of discredited approach having been implemented?
https://www.yahoo.com/news/passenger...180705789.html
Apr 17, 2016 | 12:32 pm
#280
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Yesterday at DTW, the TDC asked the person in front of me how old they were. She asked me which airline I was flying. If this is behavior detection, seems like a pretty crappy way to do it because I'm pretty sure a terrorist would know those details 
Apr 23, 2016 | 3:35 pm
#281
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I had my first encounter with a Spotnik probing passengers in a line before ID check. He asked me flat out if I had checked any luggage.
Do I have to answer his question? I fell for it, and said no, but he continued grilling me about where I was going..
Do I have to answer his question? I fell for it, and said no, but he continued grilling me about where I was going..
Apr 23, 2016 | 3:39 pm
#282
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Seriously-that is what I have said when one of them tried to pull that stuff with me.
Apr 24, 2016 | 5:12 am
#283
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Which airport? Was there a ridiculously long line?
Apr 24, 2016 | 8:04 am
#285
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I've been questioned once, a few years ago. I was followed through the terminal and into the restroom, where the questioning continued while I was in the stall attending to business. The BDO who questioned me was flat-out creepy - someone I would have told to leave me alone or I will call 9-11 if it hadn't been a BDO.
I was afraid not to co-operate, because even though I was through the checkpoint and already in the sterile area, they still could have stopped me from flying.