Discussion: Constitutionality of BOS (Logan) BDO program
 

Hi folks,
If I remember correctly today is the day that the new "interrogations" are supposed to start at BOS. Done by BDOs with "college degrees" of course.

I am wondering if perhaps we can have a thread where people can post either their experiences or what they saw occurring at BOS.

I, for one, have no intention of answering any of these questions. If this means a grope or bag search then so be it. This entire charade has gotten completely out of hand. It is way past time for lawmakers to step in with some serious legislation regarding what these people can and cannot do at airports.

I am interested in knowing if when they ask questions, are any of the responses being recorded.
If so, in what manner?
Video, audio, ipad/tablet, filling in what appears to be an official form, piece of paper or whatever else is observed?

Maybe not limit this just to BOS or start a new BDO thread...
.
.

I'm flying into BOS from another airport within the US, and then flying TATL out of BOS. Do you guys know if I'll encounter these new TSA procedures in BOS, or no because I'm flying international?

boston has 7 different secure areas. if you're arriving and departing on delta on a connection, you will not need to reclear security. otherwise, you're probably going to be changing terminals -- i believe all other transatlantic flights depart from terminal E, which is international and southwest.

if the new procedures are limited to terminal A as stated in the article, you would only see them if you're on a delta transatlantic, and not connecting in on delta, continental, or alaska.

Flew out the first day of the changes
 

I flew out of BOS on the first day of the changes. Since I had been there for 4 days I was aware of the changes and trying to be aware of what was going on more than normal. The only change I noticed was the person checking the boarding pass/ID made some small talk about where I was from. It was almost joking and very non-invasive. I almost felt like I wasn't on the East coast!!! Nothing else was different.

Bennie Thompson of Mississippi (Chairman of the Fatherland Security committee, with Peter King - Ranking member, no less) wrote this nastygram to Pistole on 8/15 saying, essentially that the BDO SPOT program, and the Boston cr@p is junk science of no value, and he is pi$$ed that Pi$$tole hasn't responded to him on his June letter. It's going to be getting hotter at TSA.

Serious Concerns about SPOT

Let's all do our part to keep the fires raging.^

That might not have been part of the new program.

Since it's been nearly two months since that letter and TSA is INCREASING the BDO voodoo, I think we can guess the reply Rep Thompson received. It went something like this:
-----------
Dear Bennie,

I don't need to do all that stuff you listed; I believe that the BDO program works and that's what's important. Not even Congress can stop us now! Bwaaa haaaa haaaaa haaaaa !

Sincerely,
John
-------

Ah, you linked to the June letter; the August one is here: http://chsdemocrats.house.gov/SiteDo...1527-35715.pdf ^

Let's see.

1. Program is initiated without thorough scientific testing.
   
2. Program is initiated without risk assessment.
   
3. There was no cost-benefit analysis.
   
4. It may involve racial profiling.
   
5. Mr. Pistole is stonewalling Congress (apparently).

Should be nationwide by January if history can be a guide.

And mere citizens wonder just why they can't get complaints answered by TSA.

I am on DL, yes. From what I understand, I'll be coming into Terminal A, and then departing out of Terminal A as well. However, on the return flight, I'll be coming into Terminal E, and then my connecting flight will be out of Terminal A. So, I think I'll be encountering them on the return flight, no?

That link's the June letter. Where's this Aug. 15th nastygram ?

Doesn't really matter - as others have posted Pistole will continue to blow him (and everyone else) off.

Heading through term A in a couple hours. I'll report back.

So NPR does a pretty pro-TSA story today on the Boston interrogations (link, while at the same time it does a story that's tilted against BART in the cellphone/free speech controversy.

The TSA story includes this gem: So apparently it's OK in NPRs mind to do everything possible to stop "illegal activity" when it relates to airports, but it's NOT OK to shut off cellphone service in BART to prevent a demonstration. Juxtaposition those two and try to figure out where NPR stands on Constitutional rights.

Bolding Mine: IMHO right in the big fat middle of a huge cluster f**k! ...or would that be circle j**k? :confused:

It is obvious to me at least that if Bush 43 were still in office, NPR's slant on the TSA story would have been very different. Now that The Chosen One's administration controls TSA, TSA gets a lot more leeway.

It's a real shame because IMO these civil liberties issues are not about Democrat vs Republican, they are about the people vs. overzealous power-tripping bureaucracies that whip up fear as a means of justifying otherwise unacceptable actions. I am willing to stand on this issue with people with whom I share little agreement on any fiscal, economic, or social issue, and I'm sure many others feel the same way.

To me, it wasn't really a pro-TSA article, but one that just reported what the government said would happen. If you look at the comments for the article, they are all negative.

My favorite part of the article was:
"Maybe they'll turn out to be great at it, but I wouldn't say they go so far as to inspire a lot of confidence," says Glenn Reynolds, a law professor at the University of Tennessee and a vocal critic of the TSA. Reynolds says behavior detection officers in the U.S. tend to be lower ranking and less educated than the Israelis, and may not be up to the task.

"It would be like deciding that you're suddenly going to do brain surgery in every minute clinic around the country," he says. "You can't just retrain those people who may be perfectly good at dealing with poison ivy and sinus infections to suddenly do brain surgery. I mean, it's just a different level."

or both? ;)

So, no one has a story so far . . .

BOS Report - 12:45pm 8/16/11
 

Posting from just beyond security.

Elite line took me right to the TDC, but there's several new podiums about 10ft past the Eite TDC. A two-striper mans each new podium (one man, one woman). woman in a business suit and a slovenly shirt-and-tied large gentleman rove between the questioning stations. The line is moving quickly, so I can't overhear too many conversations before I get past the first station. Basically all I can hear from the male BDO is him introducing himself with his full name and stating he'll be asking questions.

I get selected to see the woman interrogator. The process starts wth a full ID and BP check (this jus happened less than 20 seconds ago). She, in a pleasant enough demeanor, asks how I pronounce my last name. I answer qith my standard quip which usually gets a laugh (yep, t's really Tkey, but spelled nothing at all like that, so I like to make light of it in any scenario). The second question is what my destination is. She just read it, so I answer correctly. Next is the purpose of my trip. I know it's rude, but this is when I answer her question with a question. I ask if there's ay modified screening for answering. Perhaps a little flummoxed, she asks me to restate my question. I tell her that this new security feature has been in the news and I was wondering if, morespecifically, compliant pax could avoid the AIT, for example, for answering questions. She stated she had no idea as this is just a pilot progra and "they" don't tell her anything.

I had some follow-up questions prepared, but right then, the interrogation was over and I was sent on my way without any further words. I put my bags on the belt and executed a perfect SDOO. Total waste of time, less than five minutes.

What is your name?
What is your quest?
What is your favorite color?

What is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow?

African or European?

Both: A huge cluster f**k of circle jerks - we are talking about the TSA are we not??

I don't know...Aaaaaaagh

If only it were so simple...

My stock response is going to be a very firm "None of your business".

Deleted, smart a__ comment.

May I suggest the term daisy chain?

Puddin' tame.
That thar windmill!
Clear.
:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

google the above questions. :p

Ahhh, haaa! Monty Python...It has been so long, I had forgotten! As I get older more and more blonde moments happen. ;)

Just be happy not to be so old to forget ever being blonde - or having hair. :D

deleted

They included a token comment from someone that has doubts.

Compare it to the BART story.

What is a simple gesture one could use to indicate they cannot speak? I think it could involve moving one's forefinger across the throat, then placing on the lips?

I would suggest that the ASL sign for "deaf" might be appropriate.

While shaking your head "no" use the sign for "no" and "speak".

deleted

I think if I have to go through BOS or they start doing this in other airports, I'll start bringing along some copies of The Watchtower that those Jehovah's Witnesses folks keep leaving on my front door.

So when they ask me what is my destination, I'll just hand them The Watchtower and say "Heaven." If they are like most folks who encounter the JW's they will flag me by as fast as they can! And as I pass, I'll say, "Have a blessed day!" ;)

Wow...Monty Python jokes....seriously? Kind of wanted to come here to read actual anecdotes from people using BOS. If you distilled this thread to the useful, on-topic comments it would be about 3 posts long. :rolleyes:

There is a whole separate thread about the NPR story, BTW:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...do-boston.html

Be sure to have a witness for your private room frisking! Answering "heaven" in the context of "where are you traveling by plane" is guaranteed to get you some extra attention. :D