Once More into the Security Breach
 

There was an interesting (and amusing) article on the New York Times OpEd page this morning regarding a security breach on a CO flight at EWR. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/15/op...=1&oref=slogin

Two week ago, my brother and I flew on CO EWR-DFW. When we went through security (not together-maybe a half dozen people between us and on different lines), we had our own New Jersey DL's on us for photo id's but had accidentally swapped boarding passes. When inspected by the TSA agents, neither of us were questioned at all. Granted we do have the same last name, but we have completely different first names and middle initials. They should have atleast asked "Who is David?" to my brother and asked me about my brother's name on "my" boarding pass. It was just an honest mistake on our part but they still didn't do their jobs checking to make sure we were who we said we were.

I know this isn't CO's fault at all, but its still a security issue that could have bad for EWR and CO if we were people with alternate motives (which we're not) than those just taking a weekend trip to Texas.

Anyone know if she got her wallet back? Anyone know if she's getting a visit from DHS?

First, it was probably not TSA, but a private contractor that examined your ID, so in this case you really can't blame the TSA.

Second, how does checking ID's versus BP's help security? It is a revenue protection mechanism for the airlines. ID's can be readily faked. It is not security. And did you know that you can fly without an ID domestically?

First off, that's not what the security personnel told me. Its posted that it is required to get through security. Secondly, whether it was TSA or a contractor, they were all in TSA uniforms. Also, are you saying that security is a non-issue if a contractor is doing it?

Lastly, I don't think you ment it this way, but are you saying that the name on the boarding pass is a mute point? Can I fly on just anyone's boarding pass? I know people fly under an alias all the time for privacy/security reasons all the time but the ID and the BP atleast have to match to let the people into "secured areas."

No they aren't. Even though they wear sweaters that are of a similar maroon color, they are not TSA and they don't pretend to be. What they do is sit around and talk to each other or folks on their cell phones. And, on occasion, they look at an ID to make sure that there is a name on it that is similar to one on a BP. If you do not have ID travelling domestically you can travel, but you are always subject to secondary screening, not that there is all that much value in those extra screenings, but that is a different story.

I just know that everyone I dealt with that morning was wearing a white shirt with TSA patches. There were 2 maroon sweaters sitting off to the side doing nothing but talking and one other assisting at a neighboring security line. As far as the ID thing goes, I didn't know that the rules changed. I just know that if I don't have it out, they ask for it with an expression on their face asking "why are you holding up my line?" If I remember correctly, I think there is a sign asking people to have their bp and id ready for inspection (I never check those signs any more- for all I know, it could have been taken down since the last time I saw it.)

On Christmas Eve in PHX, uniformed TSA (yes, real TSA agents) were checking ID's. I was VERY surprised, but assumed that they had intelligence that there might be some kind of incident. In addition, the TSA agents were actually asking passengers questions about where they were going (seemingly casual conversation but it seemed like they were looking for specific "types" of individuals).

Apparently, sbm13 hasn't had this experience. And before sbm13 starts lecturing, most of the ID checkers are contractors. However, the TSA can and DOES choose to check ID's at times.

I try not to lecture; sorry if it came across that way.

I've never experienced actual TSA agent checking IDs, so that is somewhat surprising to me. I'd much rather they actually spend their time keeping additional security lanes open and let the contracted "help" continue in their ID checking role, but I suppose that's way too sensical. The ID checking almost never the bottleneck in the security game -- the xray/metal detecor are. Having TSA agents checking ID just keeps them from actually opening another line, or performing secondary screenings. In some airports they stop all processing in a line until the secondary has been "picked up" by an agent. When they're busy that can be several minuntes. All so someone "more qualified" is looking at an ID :rolleyes:

I experienced a similar episode recently at a foreign airport. After landing there on my U.S. carrier and proceeding through immigration, I got to the baggage carousel prior to the customs area. At this particular airport (in a semi-dodgy third-world country), the baggage carousel isn't particularly secure... lots of random folks milling about.

It was then that I realized I had left my wallet on board in the seat pocket in front of me. I explained the predicament to the nearest official, who told me to just reverse course... going back the opposite direction. That I did! I just shrugged my shoulders at everyone who tried to stop me and told them I had left something on the plane, at which point they just smiled and let me through. Got back to the aircraft (no airline people around), just went on board, found my wallet and headed back out.

It wasn't until I got back out to the baggage carousel that it dawned on me that I had just blown through the entire security system to enter a U.S. bound, U.S. flagged aircraft originating in a third-world country without having to show any ID or submit to any physical inspection.

At EWR Term C as of Friday the persons checking ID's were contractors. Since you probably flew out of Term. B, it might have been different, but I doubt it.

The TSA is gradually taking over the ID checks at airports, but most are still private contractors.

While the sign says to present ID's, it is not a requirement (in fact I think there still may be a sign at EWR that lists 3.0 ounces instead of 3.4 ounces for liquids, etc.). Don't believe everything you read. ;)

The screening checkpoint is to verify that you have no prohibited items, so it has no relationship to what your name or identity is. And remember this, matching ID's with BP's does not enhance security; it is a revenue protection device.

Now slightly OT: Why in the world is the ID checker for the Elite line at EWR Term C-2 standing at the entrance to the WTMD's instead of at the entrance to the line while the ID checker for the regular line does just the opposite? At a minimum it should be reversed. Is the Elite line ID checker going to stop a non-elite/FC from going through after they have waited in the line for a number of minutes? Probably not.

If you notice, they let a lot of non-elites through the elite line. Most of the time noobs just don't understand the concept of the EliteAccess line and the ID checkers don't do anything about it. One time I counted 10+ people in front of me who did not have elite access. They figured it out near the end, but by then they didn't leave the line for the regular line.

One time on B6 they gave me the wrong PB it was a woman's name. I made it through security. Didn't notice until i was sitting at the gate and they started boarding.

My only concern about the whole matching names to BPs to their ID making the people who need "watching" get it. All the 9/11 hijackors were flying domestically. If any one can through airport security on anyone's ticket (irregardless of name, even sex like the last post), what's the sense in having a terrorist watch list? Its just another loop hole for them to work with if they have anything else up thier sleeves.

Don't get me wrong. I really don't have any fear in flying, but the holes I've come across in security (this is just one of them) over the last year does bother me. I also know some one who works on the ground at EWR. He's told me some the loop holes came across which are pretty disturbing also.

Are we any more safe than we were more safe than before 9/11? I doubt it. The only thing that's come out of it is that we better medal and x-ray machines on the upside, but more obvious loop holes and longer lines on the down side.

You do not need to show ID to fly domestically; however, if you choose not to show ID, you are subject to additional search.

Secondly, boarding passes are not a security mechanism. I can print out a boarding pass with any name I want, simply by modifying the text in the HTML of the OLCI boarding pass.

There was even a site created by a computer security grad student that would let you print out fake NW boarding passes. He did it to raise awareness of how useless BP checking is for a security measure. It's just another scene in airport security theater.