Behavioral detection gone awry
Jan 10, 2010 | 3:47 pm
#16
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 576
A good friend of mine just had a terrible experience at Detroit. She is a Midwesterner living on the East Coast, a highly-educated professional, attractive, usually well-dressed, and mild-mannered. She was visiting her parents and flying home. Nonstop, domestic flight. She did not have any problems with Secure Flight or watch lists.
She is a frequent flyer, and has taken the same trip many times. Her name, demeanor, accent, clothing, etc. are unmistakably American.
She is not prone to exaggeration, and doesn't usually complain about airport security. She happened to mention this to me because she knows that I fly a lot.
After uneventful check-in and ID inspection, she went to get in line for the x-ray and metal detector.
A BDO pulled her out of line, and she was taken to an interview room. She was told that her behavior "aroused suspicion" (perhaps not in those words.) The BDO and another agent conference called some TSA phone number. They asked her repeatedly about the nature of her trip, how often she'd lived at each address, the nature of her work, her father's birthdate, her mother's maiden name, and... my favorite... the last four digits of her FATHER's social security number. (She said, "How would I know that?")
She was eventually released and allowed to fly. I don't know if she had selectee screening, but I think that's probably likely.
I used to think that behavioral profiling made some sort of sense. But now I'm reconsidering. The best I can imagine is that the BDO's are new, newly trained, and want to test out their skills.
They may have actually picked her just because it would be less work: she's young, articulate, etc... so the background check would be simpler and they could act as if they're doing something. (In random screening, it's easier to pick the guy with a small bag and light clothing.)
She's not a complainer, and just wanted to get home. But I find this incident troubling. Of course I wasn't there, perhaps my friend had completely gone nuts and was acting erratically (I strongly doubt that.) There may have been a specific threat about young women traveling alone, as there was prior to Pan Am 103 (I doubt that as well... and there are a lot of women traveling alone through Detroit.)
I hope that this was a one-time incident.
She is a frequent flyer, and has taken the same trip many times. Her name, demeanor, accent, clothing, etc. are unmistakably American.
She is not prone to exaggeration, and doesn't usually complain about airport security. She happened to mention this to me because she knows that I fly a lot.
After uneventful check-in and ID inspection, she went to get in line for the x-ray and metal detector.
A BDO pulled her out of line, and she was taken to an interview room. She was told that her behavior "aroused suspicion" (perhaps not in those words.) The BDO and another agent conference called some TSA phone number. They asked her repeatedly about the nature of her trip, how often she'd lived at each address, the nature of her work, her father's birthdate, her mother's maiden name, and... my favorite... the last four digits of her FATHER's social security number. (She said, "How would I know that?")
She was eventually released and allowed to fly. I don't know if she had selectee screening, but I think that's probably likely.
I used to think that behavioral profiling made some sort of sense. But now I'm reconsidering. The best I can imagine is that the BDO's are new, newly trained, and want to test out their skills.
They may have actually picked her just because it would be less work: she's young, articulate, etc... so the background check would be simpler and they could act as if they're doing something. (In random screening, it's easier to pick the guy with a small bag and light clothing.)
She's not a complainer, and just wanted to get home. But I find this incident troubling. Of course I wasn't there, perhaps my friend had completely gone nuts and was acting erratically (I strongly doubt that.) There may have been a specific threat about young women traveling alone, as there was prior to Pan Am 103 (I doubt that as well... and there are a lot of women traveling alone through Detroit.)
I hope that this was a one-time incident.
Jan 10, 2010 | 3:49 pm
#17
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
Join Date: May 2000
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Posts: 58,133
Since I don't need any TSA employee's permission to fly, such questions will be ignored and then an invitation to go to hell and summon the GSC for the airline I'm on will follow. For bonus points, said TSA employees are welcome to summon law enforcement and look even stupider.
Jan 10, 2010 | 4:03 pm
#18
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 72,274
Next, I would get out a pen and paper, and methodically take as good notes as you possibly can. If you are prevented from doing so, ask for a LEO to be summoned immediately.
At that point, answer any question you wish to answer, and always be completely honest in your response. If you think the question is inappropriate or you do not wish to respond, state as much, decline to answer, and ask for a supervisor AND an LEO to be summoned.
At this point, the BDO will likely back down and allow you to go on your way.
If they don't, hold your ground. Continue to avoid escalating the confrontation - politely refuse to answer questions, but ask if you are being detained under what grounds you are being detained, and if you have a lawyer, ask for the opportunity to contact him/her.
Jan 10, 2010 | 5:10 pm
#21
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: AAdvantage, MileagePlus, SkyMiles
Posts: 4,339
I agree with the couple others that this seems like SOP for those who show invalid/no ID. However, if she really did bring ID (which I'm not doubting--I believe her) then that is seriously sad. It could happen to me next. 
Even worse, I'm Deaf, so communicating would be very hard.
I strongly recommend you refer your friend to TSA's Got Feedback. Have her be specific, try to mention names/appearances if possible, and additionally, advise her to write both her Congressperson and the airline, threatening an end to business travelling through said airline if this kind of behavior by TSA is going to become more and more common.
Even worse, I'm Deaf, so communicating would be very hard.I strongly recommend you refer your friend to TSA's Got Feedback. Have her be specific, try to mention names/appearances if possible, and additionally, advise her to write both her Congressperson and the airline, threatening an end to business travelling through said airline if this kind of behavior by TSA is going to become more and more common.
Jan 10, 2010 | 5:28 pm
#22
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The critical key is to make sure you are prepared to miss your flight. That way, they lose that ability to intimidate. Also - be unfailingly polite and non-adversarial. If they start to raise their voice/voices, lower yours. This is an incredibly effective technique in controlling an interaction - especially when you are being accosted by an inexperienced and poorly trained TSO....
Bruce
Jan 10, 2010 | 5:36 pm
#23
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Berlin and Buggenhagen, Germany
Posts: 3,509
I agree with the couple others that this seems like SOP for those who show invalid/no ID. However, if she really did bring ID (which I'm not doubting--I believe her) then that is seriously sad. It could happen to me next. Even worse, I'm Deaf, so communicating would be very hard.
I strongly recommend you refer your friend to TSA's Got Feedback. Have her be specific, try to mention names/appearances if possible, and additionally, advise her to write both her Congressperson and the airline, threatening an end to business travelling through said airline if this kind of behavior by TSA is going to become more and more common.
Even worse, I'm Deaf, so communicating would be very hard.I strongly recommend you refer your friend to TSA's Got Feedback. Have her be specific, try to mention names/appearances if possible, and additionally, advise her to write both her Congressperson and the airline, threatening an end to business travelling through said airline if this kind of behavior by TSA is going to become more and more common.
One advantage in this particular situation might be that you could demand that EVERYTHING takes place in writing. That would take a really long time and it would leave a paper trace. They'd most likely not want either and let you go.
Till
Jan 10, 2010 | 10:06 pm
#25
Suspended
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That is false. It's also sometimes done when someone does present valid ID but the TSA or TSA-approved think the passenger is presenting an ID that does not look like the passenger or may be a fake or fraudulently-acquired ID. It's also sometimes done when the FBI has been called up.
Jan 10, 2010 | 10:09 pm
#26
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A lot of TSA's evidence is anecdotal and too many "my contractor said ..." or "it's SSI." Beginning to understand how we feel?
Jan 10, 2010 | 10:18 pm
#27
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Arizona, USA
Posts: 2,424
eyecue,
I respect what you're saying, but I have to say that this particular friend is particularly sane and unlikely to exaggerate. She is highly-educated, professional, and I've known her for 10 years.
Yes, there are always people who embellish their stories, or even fabricate them. This is not one of those cases.
I respect what you're saying, but I have to say that this particular friend is particularly sane and unlikely to exaggerate. She is highly-educated, professional, and I've known her for 10 years.
Yes, there are always people who embellish their stories, or even fabricate them. This is not one of those cases.
Jan 10, 2010 | 11:17 pm
#29
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 464
