Last month, I ran across the TSA screening all bags at Hyannis for the high speed ferry to Nantucket the day I was traveling. Usually, that vessel leaves from a slip at the other end of the parking lot from terminal building. However, for that day (or at least morning) they had the fast boat going into the slip nearest the terminal, with barricades configured to that one had to go through a TSA station where one's bags were swabbed before being allowed to pass from the building lobby out to the boarding area; this wasn't a random check, everyone was required to comply, no exceptions. They had also put up new color-coded signs at both HYA and ACK docks stating that the security level was "High" (orange).

To their credit, the Steamship Authority staff didn't seem real thrilled with the idea. When I asked the ferry staff (in a "please reassure me" tone) whether this was going to be a regular feature, I was told emphatically, "No!"

Anyway, thought I'd mention this when I finally remembered!

You wouldn't know that from their web site.

I hate the thought of TSA expanding into any other areas of transport, especially those that are not interstate and therefore not strictly in the purview of the federal government.

Most of the restrictions on the site you linked seem fairly reasonable:

But I am troubled by two items:

[*]Walk-on passengers will be closely monitored by Steamship Authority personnel and, when appropriate, law enforcement authorities.

and

[*]Random confirmation of passenger identification will be employed and random screening of passengers and their belongings may also be conducted.


Just what do they mean by these? Are SA personnel and cops going to be wandering the ferry, randomly demanding "papers, please" and interrogating people as to their destinations? Do they simply mean video surveillance of the public areas of the ships? Just how closely will the passengers be monitored? And how often will your ID be demanded during these 1-2 hour sailings?

This is real Stassi and KGB type stuff, I tell ya whut.

Ve must kip you zecure. Ve are vorkink for YOUR benefeet. Failure to comply viss our zecurity offeecers vill be met vith ze most severe penalty. Pleese to be presentink your papers to me NOW. Do you vish to travel today? Travelink by boat is a privilech, not a right; ziss privilech can be rezindet by ze State at any time.

*Non-Cold War-accent translation: "We must keep you secure. We are working for YOUR benefit. Failure to comply with our security officers will be met with the most severe penalty. Please to be presenting your papers to me NOW. Do you wish to travel today? Traveling by boat is a privilege, not a right; this privilege can be rescinded by the State at any time."

This situation cries out for a limerick:

Better I not complete that one though...

Just say no, and challenge in court if necessary.

If we let them expand beyond airports, we'll have VIPR teams doing random check on Greyhound, Amtrak and local transit.

Oh, wait...