Don't Yawn While at the Checkpoint
 

I am not vouching for the website but apparently they got access to the 92-point checklist the TSA uses to spot a terrorist. Apparently yawning at the checkpoint is one of those things that tip off the SPOTniks that the person might be "hiding" something or could be a terrorist.

Of course TSA had no comment. What a bunch of horse apples.

https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2...ot-terrorists/

Fantastic! Print the document out and take it to the airport with you. Then when you see someone exhibiting one of the behaviors, you can say something to the BD"O" who missed said behavior. :D

"Exaggerated yawning" What the heck is that? If I have
an early morning flight I may be guilty of this.

"Excessive complaints about the screening process" I never
complain on the way through. I always wait until I can log
into FT to launch into a complaint. :D

"Widely open staring eyes" Not unless I see something that
catches my undivided attention which rarely happens given
I'm old and have seen just about everything. :D

"Wearing improper attire for location" So, big deal... I arrive
in Canada wearing t-shirt, jeans and boots when it is 20
below and snowing out. I came from Texas! I will bring
my hat next time ok? :D

Don't look down? Then don't ask me to take my shoes off.

Whistling? Nothing like a little "Frere Jacques" before sneaking my shampoo through the checkpoint.

Grooming gestures? That's in lieu of showering, which I always feel a need to do after going through the checkpoint.

Just shaved? Roger that. No flying before noon.

Shall we continue?

Mike

I just used to go about my Business. Once I had a guy in a suit approach me, and ask where I was going. I said Chicago. He asked why. I told him that where I go when I leave ORD is no ones Business. That was the end of the Questions.

The Checklist: Are You On It?
 

Published here on FT as a public service. It's only two pages, so it would be easy to take with you. Remember to place it right on top of the bin when you are ordered to empty your pockets.

Heaven help you if you are:

Some tidbits:

But, you lose points if:
Nailing just two three-pointers gets you an interrogation by a cop.

It's clear to me that many of the items are non-terrorism law enforcement dragnet-type items and some are purely punitive in nature.

Large amount of cash, suspected unlawful drugs, numerous prepaid calling cards or cellphones, immigration status, outstanding warrants...

And, here's the smoking gun for the name game:

"Unfamiliar with passport/ID or ticket data"

And, there's a place to check whether or not the surveillance camera video is copied.

Of course, all of this presumes that the SPOTNik initiated an interrogation and the victim allowed him/herself to be interrogated in the first place.

Whistling???

I mean seriously...whistling???

Are these people demented?

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/0...rs-116455.html

http://www.nationaljournal.com/defen...rules-20150327

The *best* part is how so many contradict each or cover either aspect of a certain activity thus guaranteeing one will "score" points.

-knowing the info on your ID/ticket too much
-not knowing the info on your ID/ticket

-staring at the TSA
-avoiding eye contact with the TSA

-talking at the checkpoint
-being silent at the checkpoint

The list goes on and on.
It would be funny if it were not so sad...

Having an Almanac, prepaid calling cards, flight manuals, military manuals, GPS, and loose batteries. I, literally, have all of those in my carry-on bag nearly every trip...good times.

The American Tax Payer, and every person who flew within the US paid a billion dollars for this. I hope that makes you feel better.:rolleyes:

This looks like it came directly from Stasi "psychologists." Pseudoscience in a paranoid and oppressive setting. They should be embarrassed that this document even exists in a "democratic" country.

So it's an automatic referral to law enforcement if you blink too fast (subjectively) and don't make "direct" eye contact. Or if you blink too fast and whistle. Whistle? Really? Who wrote this? How did they quantify whistling as a "two-pointer?"

In what way are those signs of deception?

I have to wait another 25 years when I turn 65. Then I'll finally have the freedom to blink and whistle.

Have no fear... It's only 15 years if you are part of an:

I'm glad that neither...

• looks ashamed to be an American/taxpayer, nor
• laughs at clowns in blue clown suits

... are on the list.

What a friggin joke.

Luckily "bored witless" and "looking at TSA as though they are retards" is not on the list as I might be in a spot of bother.

I was finally able to print the list in order to read it. Oh, could one ever have fun with this at the airport. Buy a fully refundable ticket though, 'cause you're probably going to miss your flight. :cool:

Yes, whistling! It's a well-known terrorist technique, first brought to public attention in this country in 1951. Terrorists aren't uniformly brave and no one is brave all the time, so they are taught specialized techniques to reinforce their courage.

Whenever a terrorist feels afraid
He holds his head erect
And whistles a happy tune
So no one will suspect
He's afraid

While shivering in his shoes
He strikes a careless pose
And whistles a happy tune
And no one ever knows
He's afraid

The result of this deception
Is very strange to tell
For when a terrorist fools the people
I fear he fools himself as well

They make believe they're brave
And, tragically, the trick has taken them far
They may be as brave
As they make believe they are

They may be as brave
As they make believe they are

They whistle a happy tune
And every single time
The happiness in the tune
Convinces them that they're not afraid

They believe they're brave
And the trick will take them far
They may be as brave
As they make believe they are

Carl Johnson, nice. :)

These are the same characters who have come up with and still support the PreCheck nonsense that is nothing but an example of "all animals are equal but some animals are more equal than other animals".

The TSA SPOT checklist actually provides some insight into how being selected for TSA PreCheck LLL screening is directed.

And these same people want guns!

Can you share how? I printed one and it was very fuzzy and not legible.

I had my best luck printing it from here:

https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.document...ral-report.pdf

Then I used a magnifying glass to read it. :D Will print it on 11x17 paper from work later in the week.

What about humming?

The TSA has recklessly omitted humming from its checklist! They might catch whistlers, while a terrorist could just hum his or her way through the checkpoint!

Also, there is no "comment" section for what tune the terrorist was whistling. Can you get a point deducted if you hum something patriotic?

Mawtini for 3.

Woah ! Guess i most be bad. Me looking gets really like a "stare". At least that what my mom told me as a child. I was brought up to look down a lot so people would not "freak" out.
Fidgy ? Yes cause I hate to stand still with my low bloodpressure.
So I am always moving around dont stand still at all.
What planet are this wise guys from? No wonder I hate to fly.
Also I do hum to make it esier to throug this "weird" things

*yawn*

Exaggerated yawning, Appears confused or disoriented, Does not respond to authoritative commands, strong body odor, -- yes, I am just off a transoceanic flight, so I am stinky like a skunk, I am falling asleep on my feet, English is not my first language, what do you want? Is this such an unusual scenario? Give me a break!

Excessive fidgeting, clock watching -- damn this long queue, I need to catch my flight!

Avoiding eye contact -- even a very mild case of ASD will have that.

Since the PDF is really hard to read, I've retyped the TSA Spot Referral Report as an easy to read & print document. Feel free to share.

A lot of it is me. And I am a peace keeper. That was one of the most stupid things I have ever read

Cool -- thanks very much. When I travel next month, I may fill one out on myself and just hand it to one of them. I wonder what the highest point total for someone has ever been?

While I think of it, now that you know these forms exist, has your lawyer requested a copy of the real one they did on you?

It only just got leaked. But yes, this will definitely be part of both my ongoing FOIA litigation and formal trial discovery once I file suit for the BOS incident. (That'll be within ~5 months.)

It's like a magic trick… not so impressive when you know the rather banal truth.

Mixed with a big dose of government interference with Constitutional rights. Think of how many of those items are explicitly tailored to painting anyone who objects to or is contemptuous of the TSA as a terrorist.

You're welcome. Remember, sharing is caring. ;)

I suspect that whatever it is, that record will get broken soon, when people start deliberately engaging in acts of protected political speech consisting of an assemblage of the perfectly legal actions on that list.

you're screwed if you have a mental illness or a physical impairment/disability where you have several of those 'signs' you're up to no good :rolleyes:
Why are the tsa even still going? its nothing but theater.

Belive me I will not change. If tSA is that stupid they will just waste their time on me. Last time I travelled they did not like my swedsih passport picture. I told them with a smile complain to the swedish b ov. mot. And I walked away.

I'd like one on the form of a bingo grid so that I can entertain myself while waiting in the TSA line at 7a.m.

If you had a group of like-minded friends flying together, a game of "Simon Says" could make the time in the line pass quickly.

"Simon says ... yawn excessively."
"Simon says ... blink your eyes."
"Simon says ... touch your face."
"Simon says ... look at each other."
"Look at your watch. ... Oooh, I didn't say 'Simon says'!":D

Made a shortlink for it: http://s.ai/tsa_spot

BINGO version coming soon. ^

Full list, minus repeats. Categories mine.


Behavior / Physiological

"Adam's Apple" jump
Change in voice pitch, rate, volume, choice of words, dry mouth
Cold penetrating stare
Covers mouth with hand while speaking
Exaggerated yawning
Exaggerated, repetitive grooming gestures
Excessive fidgeting, clock watching, head-turning, shuffling feet, leg shaking
Excessive perspiration inconsistent with the environment
Excessive throat clearing
Face becomes flushed
Face pale from recent shaving of beard
Fast eye blink rate
Gazing down
Gestures that don't match the verbal message
Increased breathing rate, panting
No or little direct eye contact
Powerful grip of a bag and/or hand inside the bag
Protruding or beating neck arteries
Repeatedly pats upper body with hands (not associated with divesting objects at X-ray or Walk Through Metal Detector (WTMD)
Repetitive touching of face
Rigid posture, minimal body movements with arms close to sides
Rubbing or wringing of hands
Scans area appearing to look for security personnel
Shows unusual interest in security officers and their work routine
Strong body odor
Sweaty palms
Trembling
Whistling during the screening process
Widely open staring eyes

Interaction

Appearing not to understand questions
Appears to be confused or disoriented
Asks the BDO security-related questions
Constantly looking at other travelers or associates
Delayed Responses to questions
Displays arrogance and verbally expresses contempt for the screening process
Distracted or inability to pay attention to present situation
Does not remember significant facts when answering questions
Does not respond to authoritative commands
Downplaying of significant facts when answering questions
Evasive or vague responses
Exaggerated emotions or inappropriate behaviors to the location such as crying, excessive laughter, or chatter
Excessive complaints about the screening process
Gives non-answers
Hesitation/indecision on entering checkpoint or submitting to screening process
Lacking details about purpose of trip
Maintains covert ties with others (maintaining consistent eye contact with others, exhibiting hand gestures to others or passing objects to others)
Movement away from official towards exit
Overly specific with answers that would appear to indicate the information is memorized
Placing objects between self and official
Repeating back questions instead of answers
Unfamiliar with passport/ID or ticket data
Well-rehearsed answers that may not respond to questions or that may appear to be memorized

Stuff

Almanacs
Bag appears to be heavier than expected or bag does not suit the individuals appearance
Blueprints
Bulges in clothing
Global position system (GPS) unit
Individuals who are seemingly unrelated but display identical dress or luggage
Liquids or gels (in excess of 3.4 oz or 100 ml)
Numerous prepaid calling cards or cell phones
Photographs/diagrams of high profile targets
Rope, wire, duct tape, loose batteries, loose electronic components
Training manuals such as flight, scuba, explosive, or military
Wearing improper attire for location

Other

Appears to be in disguise
Arrives late for flight, if known
Males 20-40 years old travelling together who are NOT part of a family

I'm thinking of all of the times I've travelled with another 20- to 40-year-old male. Business, friends I've run into at the airport, etc. What if two 20- to 40-year-old men are a family?

"Bag does not suit individual's appearance." Seriously, what sort of bag does the TSA think is "suitable" for me? Does the TSA offer advice on this? Do they sell luggage? But then I'd be in danger of having the same luggage as an unrelated person. "Look! Both of those men have black Tumi suitcases! Let's send them to Gitmo where they belong!"

Can we also "SPOT" TSA personnel? If I catch a sweaty whistler working at the checkpoint, don't I have an obligation to take action?

Can I "narc" on others at the airport? "That woman is wearing improper attire, and I think I saw her reading an almanac. If you see something SAY something!"

Seems like a fun way to respond to SPOTniks who try to chat you up. Pretty sure that, especially if you start mentioning it, they'll exhibit a bunch of the behaviors on the list.

Print a few copies and leave them here and there in various airports.

I doubt the TSA takes equality into consideration.

^^