Predictions For TSA Response to MH370
Mar 17, 2014, 7:39 pm
#31
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 1,685
My initial thought was brace for the TSA/DHS knee jerk reaction to whatever object was used to thwart security.
The LAX TSA shooting taught us that procedurally, TSA still only cares about object oriented security. Hence, nothing has happened since that attack, airport LEOs nationwide remain seated at podiums behind the screening continuing to ignore the ticketing areas and swell of people waiting in front of the checkpoint.
Specific to MH370, TSA should stay out of it, the billions they want to waste as a result of this truly should go towards better aircraft tracking. Better intelligence, and more tools to find missing or stolen aircraft. Perhaps FAA could finally get the ball rolling on ADS-B/GPS navigation in the US as they seemingly do most everywhere else in the world.
The LAX TSA shooting taught us that procedurally, TSA still only cares about object oriented security. Hence, nothing has happened since that attack, airport LEOs nationwide remain seated at podiums behind the screening continuing to ignore the ticketing areas and swell of people waiting in front of the checkpoint.
Specific to MH370, TSA should stay out of it, the billions they want to waste as a result of this truly should go towards better aircraft tracking. Better intelligence, and more tools to find missing or stolen aircraft. Perhaps FAA could finally get the ball rolling on ADS-B/GPS navigation in the US as they seemingly do most everywhere else in the world.
Mar 17, 2014, 9:02 pm
#32
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: PDX
Programs: AA Plat + SPG Plat
Posts: 235
Two predictions, the first is for fun and the second is more realistic:
1) Going forward, in addition to a secret random position on each aircraft, air marshals will always occupy 1C and 1D thereby reducing the available upgrades for top-level FF'ers such as myself. The upside is that now we will no longer need to speculate as to whether the seats are actually assigned at T-7 or reserved for handicap and yet to be assigned. :P
2) I could see some form of TSA PreCheck becoming mandatory under certain circumstances. I can't imagine how that might flesh out, but certainly the brain trust on both sides of the aisle in DC will find some AMAZING use of taxpayer funds with guidance from our 'intelligence' services.
1) Going forward, in addition to a secret random position on each aircraft, air marshals will always occupy 1C and 1D thereby reducing the available upgrades for top-level FF'ers such as myself. The upside is that now we will no longer need to speculate as to whether the seats are actually assigned at T-7 or reserved for handicap and yet to be assigned. :P
2) I could see some form of TSA PreCheck becoming mandatory under certain circumstances. I can't imagine how that might flesh out, but certainly the brain trust on both sides of the aisle in DC will find some AMAZING use of taxpayer funds with guidance from our 'intelligence' services.
Mar 17, 2014, 9:53 pm
#33
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Anchorage, AK
Programs: Lifetime AS 1MM & MVPG, AS MVPG100K, AA, DL, HH-G
Posts: 8,259
1) Going forward, in addition to a secret random position on each aircraft, air marshals will always occupy 1C and 1D thereby reducing the available upgrades for top-level FF'ers such as myself. The upside is that now we will no longer need to speculate as to whether the seats are actually assigned at T-7 or reserved for handicap and yet to be assigned. :P
I predict that TSA will now require all PAX to go through intensified N.O.S. in thongs and pasties. This will speed the process while keeping their monitors out of the closet.
Changing rooms will be reserved for those with extreme elite status. All others will use a communal room where the Thousands Standing Around will gawk (OK, monitor) the strip downs.
Mar 17, 2014, 10:13 pm
#34
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: South Florida
Programs: DL GM, SPG GOLD, UA DIRT, AA PLAT, US (RIP), Hilton HHonors
Posts: 705
Two predictions, the first is for fun and the second is more realistic:
1) Going forward, in addition to a secret random position on each aircraft, air marshals will always occupy 1C and 1D thereby reducing the available upgrades for top-level FF'ers such as myself. The upside is that now we will no longer need to speculate as to whether the seats are actually assigned at T-7 or reserved for handicap and yet to be assigned. :P
2) I could see some form of TSA PreCheck becoming mandatory under certain circumstances. I can't imagine how that might flesh out, but certainly the brain trust on both sides of the aisle in DC will find some AMAZING use of taxpayer funds with guidance from our 'intelligence' services.
1) Going forward, in addition to a secret random position on each aircraft, air marshals will always occupy 1C and 1D thereby reducing the available upgrades for top-level FF'ers such as myself. The upside is that now we will no longer need to speculate as to whether the seats are actually assigned at T-7 or reserved for handicap and yet to be assigned. :P
2) I could see some form of TSA PreCheck becoming mandatory under certain circumstances. I can't imagine how that might flesh out, but certainly the brain trust on both sides of the aisle in DC will find some AMAZING use of taxpayer funds with guidance from our 'intelligence' services.
#2, what would that help if the person hijacking the plane was the pilot himself?
Mar 18, 2014, 1:05 am
#36
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: CPH
Programs: Delta SM
Posts: 497
Originally Posted by HatAndJacket
#2, what would that help if the person hijacking the plane was the pilot himself?
We PAX will pay the price no matter who is responsible. Mark my words.
Mar 18, 2014, 1:19 am
#37
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: PDX
Programs: AA Plat + SPG Plat
Posts: 235
+1 The pilot unions will ensure this doesn't happen. The best we're likely to see in terms of on-board safeguards will be real-time streaming via satellite of data feeds from every aircraft. (And at the far end of that, perhaps some sort of 24/7 global monitoring of the data feeds.)
Mar 18, 2014, 2:29 am
#38
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
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Posts: 13,167
Let's see
Richard Reid tries hiding a bomb in his shoes - shoes must be removed at security
A plot to use liquid explosives is uncovered - no more liquids
A plot to hide explosives in toner - no more toner through security
Some tries hiding a bomb in his underwear - now we have Nude O' Scopes
The TSA will wait until they know exactly what went wrong with the flight, and ban ridiculously accordingly
Richard Reid tries hiding a bomb in his shoes - shoes must be removed at security
A plot to use liquid explosives is uncovered - no more liquids
A plot to hide explosives in toner - no more toner through security
Some tries hiding a bomb in his underwear - now we have Nude O' Scopes
The TSA will wait until they know exactly what went wrong with the flight, and ban ridiculously accordingly
Mar 18, 2014, 4:34 am
#39
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: SYD (perenially), GVA (not in a long time)
Programs: QF PS, EK-Gold, Security Theatre Critic
Posts: 6,792
Oh, absolutely this one:
As follows:
Cause: rogue (co-) pilot hijacking the plane. TSA's Response: further restrictions on items in carry-ons and more invasive search of all passengers.
Cause: rogue (co-) pilot suicide. Response: further restrictions on items in carry-ons and more invasive search of all passengers.
Cause: fire or explosion disabled the communication and navigation system until the plane crashed. Response: further restrictions on items in carry-ons and more invasive search of all passengers.
Cause: hypoxia of pilot and random flight until crash. Response: further restrictions on items in carry-ons and more invasive search of all passengers.
Cause: bizarre sequence of minor malfunctions and bad decisions. Response: further restrictions on items in carry-ons and more invasive search of all passengers.
Cause: search called off and after two years there is no solution. Response: further restrictions on items in carry-ons and more invasive search of all passengers.
Cause: MH370 was abducted by aliens from Planet Goozbah. Response: further restrictions on items in carry-ons and more invasive search of all passengers.
and of course
Cause: passenger entered cockpit by force and hijacked plane. Response: further restrictions on items in carry-ons and more invasive search of all passengers.
So, yeah, it completely depends on the reason for the disappearance.
Cause: rogue (co-) pilot hijacking the plane. TSA's Response: further restrictions on items in carry-ons and more invasive search of all passengers.
Cause: rogue (co-) pilot suicide. Response: further restrictions on items in carry-ons and more invasive search of all passengers.
Cause: fire or explosion disabled the communication and navigation system until the plane crashed. Response: further restrictions on items in carry-ons and more invasive search of all passengers.
Cause: hypoxia of pilot and random flight until crash. Response: further restrictions on items in carry-ons and more invasive search of all passengers.
Cause: bizarre sequence of minor malfunctions and bad decisions. Response: further restrictions on items in carry-ons and more invasive search of all passengers.
Cause: search called off and after two years there is no solution. Response: further restrictions on items in carry-ons and more invasive search of all passengers.
Cause: MH370 was abducted by aliens from Planet Goozbah. Response: further restrictions on items in carry-ons and more invasive search of all passengers.
and of course
Cause: passenger entered cockpit by force and hijacked plane. Response: further restrictions on items in carry-ons and more invasive search of all passengers.
So, yeah, it completely depends on the reason for the disappearance.
Mar 18, 2014, 7:49 am
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: An NPR mind living in a Fox News world
Posts: 14,165
Additional Thought So Far...
And it will. If you read comments on any of the websites reporting news of the missing airplane, most people are out for blood. "Why aren't there MORE checks of documents? Why are our authorities allowing passengers with fake or stolen documents on board airplanes?" Those in power at the Department of Homeland Security must be drooling at this fortuitous turn of events. It's an instant money-machine for the TSA.
The (figurative) blood that will be spilled here is of the people crying out for more security, which comes at an enormous cost, with little benefit, to all of us.
The (figurative) blood that will be spilled here is of the people crying out for more security, which comes at an enormous cost, with little benefit, to all of us.
I will say, however, that I don't think the TSA, DHS, and Congress have done a good job with the first phase in whatever is in store for us: Instilling fear in the public. They have to invent a threat that only they can save us from. To my knowledge, this hasn't happened yet. Even Blowhard-in-Chief Peter King has been silent.
Mar 18, 2014, 8:35 am
#41
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 729
What about hiring more TSA staff? More staff are needed for, well, everything. More document checkers. Maybe a TSA employee should sit in the cockpit.
EDIT: Yes! Armed TSA special forces personnel in the cockpit to monitor the pilots! They will need at least rudimentary pilot training in case they have to incapacitate the official pilots. Such personnel can also stand guard during pilot bathroom breaks.
Then we need armed TSA personnel to watch the watchers, in case the armed cockpit TSA employee goes rogue despite background checks.
Last edited by Schmurrr; Mar 18, 2014 at 9:01 am
Mar 18, 2014, 8:57 am
#42
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: AA Lifetime PLT , BA Silver , BD RIP , HH Gold, SPG / Marriott PLT , EF Subscriber
Posts: 6,702
The Answer is readily available now. Its how I presently travel much of the time.
Make everybody Globally carry a Biometric Passport..Link it to Airline Checkin-TSA Precheck-Global Entry-EU Style unmanned Immigration Booths.
Know travelers only would be allowed online checkin.
Security could then revert to before 9/11, as it now has at Pre-Check and then number of TSA/Security, Immigration and Custom guys could be reduced by 70% which would more than pay for the additional equipment.
Make everybody Globally carry a Biometric Passport..Link it to Airline Checkin-TSA Precheck-Global Entry-EU Style unmanned Immigration Booths.
Know travelers only would be allowed online checkin.
Security could then revert to before 9/11, as it now has at Pre-Check and then number of TSA/Security, Immigration and Custom guys could be reduced by 70% which would more than pay for the additional equipment.
Mar 18, 2014, 9:18 am
#44
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
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Posts: 13,167
The Answer is readily available now. Its how I presently travel much of the time.
Make everybody Globally carry a Biometric Passport..Link it to Airline Checkin-TSA Precheck-Global Entry-EU Style unmanned Immigration Booths.
Know travelers only would be allowed online checkin.
Security could then revert to before 9/11, as it now has at Pre-Check and then number of TSA/Security, Immigration and Custom guys could be reduced by 70% which would more than pay for the additional equipment.
Make everybody Globally carry a Biometric Passport..Link it to Airline Checkin-TSA Precheck-Global Entry-EU Style unmanned Immigration Booths.
Know travelers only would be allowed online checkin.
Security could then revert to before 9/11, as it now has at Pre-Check and then number of TSA/Security, Immigration and Custom guys could be reduced by 70% which would more than pay for the additional equipment.
And Pre-Check isn't pre-9/11 security. Pre-9/11, you could bring liquids through security!
