Discussion: Constitutionality of BOS (Logan) BDO program
Aug 19, 2011 | 1:17 pm
#137
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Aug 19, 2011 | 1:19 pm
#138
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Also I think you misjudge the El Al approach. It is much more centered on training and skill than profiling.
They would not have their perfect security record just by hassling every Arab passenger flying on El Al.
Aug 19, 2011 | 1:21 pm
#139
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Several years ago, my boarding passes used to get flagged for secondary screening frequently, and they'd ask questions along these lines. It is intrusive, but unless the tactic has changed, they're less interested in the answers than in how you act. It's fine to say that the purpose of your trip was "to visit family," or "to go to a conference" and unlike Immigration, they probably won't inquire any further, provided that you don't act nervous or cause a problem.
Seen any good movies lately?
How 'bout this weather?
I love dogs. Do you?
or even
What's your favorite airline?
I wouldn't mind answering these questions. I have absolutely no intention of telling a government agent anything as personal as what I do for a living, why I'm traveling, etc.
Aug 19, 2011 | 1:22 pm
#140
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Aug 19, 2011 | 1:23 pm
#141
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"For my own safety, I don't give personal information to strangers."
"Company policy bars me from discussing details of our business travel."
Aug 19, 2011 | 1:23 pm
#142
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Would you support the program if the TSA hired employees of Israeli-caliber?
Aug 19, 2011 | 1:25 pm
#143
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Those guys are a little different from TSA guys. Here we have guys who have never seen the word "Lufthansa" before and find it suspicious, or will ask you if Zurich is a place in the USA.
I actually have no problem with the AMS gate talks because I feel the inquisitor is intelligent and guided by a well-designed program...
I actually have no problem with the AMS gate talks because I feel the inquisitor is intelligent and guided by a well-designed program...
I personally know TSA airport agents that have never been on an airplane in their life. And these people are supposed to make judgements about where or why I fly?
As long as TSA insists on hiring people that think going to Disney World once when they were in elementary school constitutes having "traveled" before, I will be more than a little skeptical of this program.
Aug 19, 2011 | 1:27 pm
#144
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Absolutely not. Unlike Israel, (1) we have a constitutional prohibition against this kind of interrogation, (2) we are not in a state of constant war with hostile powers. Because of the skill of our intelligence services (post-9/11) there has not been a terrorist attack on American soil -- interdiction works here and, rather than sacrifice the Constitutional guarantees of freedom of liberty that have worked for this country for more than 200 years, I'd rather put my faith and trust in the FBI, CIA, NSA and real police agencies, than the Kafka-esque incompetent nightmare that is TSA.
Aug 19, 2011 | 1:28 pm
#145
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We have a Constitution that prohibits this type of coerced government questioning. Boarding an airplane does not exempt the government from compliance with the Constitution.
If this is going to make us safer, how come we didn't have a single hijacking in the 10-year period before or after 9/11? We seem to have done ok without it.
Just tell this out-of-control government, "NO!"
Aug 19, 2011 | 1:31 pm
#146
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The only response should be, "I don't have to answer your questions and I am not going to." Then walk past them.
Aug 19, 2011 | 1:32 pm
#147
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Sorry, Annie Babe...
"At Logan, about 70 agents all with college degrees are undergoing training by an international consulting firm that includes a four-day classroom course and 24 hours of on-the-job experience, said TSA spokeswoman Ann Davis."
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/reg...icleid=1355725
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/reg...icleid=1355725
SPOTNik Vacancy Notice -- 2 vacancies in PHL
By the way, here are the qualifications:
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Aug 19, 2011 | 1:41 pm
#148
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Seriously, though, I just don't see how the execution of this program will result in any tangible positive outcome. The training they are supposed to be getting is said to be relatively minimal. We don't know that these people have a suitable background or temperament for this sort of behavioral analysis. We don't know the effectiveness of this analysis in such a brief encounter. I'm sure a bunch of shrinks somewhere came up with a manual instructing people to look for facial tics, shifty eyes, crossed arms, or whatever, which may or may not be indicative of anything beyond a fear of flying, gas, or a real intention to do harm (99.999999% sure it won't EVER be that last one). And, as this thread is proving, this is just another way for them to take the focus off the patdowns and body scans and improve their PR.
The TSA only exists so we feel safe about flying. Liquids, shoes, pat-downs, x-ray and now questions are just PR.
Aug 19, 2011 | 1:42 pm
#149
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I agree with PTravel and Always Flyin that the US does not need this level of airport security, even if it is conducted competently.
Aug 19, 2011 | 1:45 pm
#150
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...We caught you in a lie again. Do you even bother to read your own agency's vacancy announcements???
SPOTNik Vacancy Notice -- 2 vacancies in PHL
By the way, here are the qualifications:
SPOTNik Vacancy Notice -- 2 vacancies in PHL
By the way, here are the qualifications:
Fortunately, it will only take a few prosecutions of people who deliberately lie to TSA (18 USC Sec. 1001 provides a 5-year felony penalty for that) before the jokesters stop giving poor advice.
In the meantime, BOS-ATL is easily driveable and a wonderful view of scenic I-95!
Last edited by Often1; Aug 19, 2011 at 2:53 pm Reason: Typo