Found this link on the TSA site itself:

http://license.icopyright.net/user/v...?fuid=NDEzOTAx

Headline: Sky Harbor adds black lights and magnifying glasses to security

This explains why the TSA is checking IDs at some airports and contracted workers are in place at other airports. As this program has been deemed a "success", it looks like TSAers will replace the contracted workers nationwide.

ID does not = security and this program stinks.

The article contains more info on backscatter machines and other technology that will be tested at PHX soon.

We've touched on this in other threads before, but since this thread is about the TSA's touted, soi-disant "document experts" specifically, I'll repeat my comments here.

There are so many problems with this, I almost don't know where to begin.

First, I'll leave the entire issue of "ID != security" aside. I think anyone with half a brain can tell how useless IDs are in terms of security, even if they are "legitmate" IDs and BPs.

Second, there are the technical problems. No amount of "expert training" is going to make someone be able to recognize a fake BP from a real one. Between Web check-in (which I really don't see going away) and the move to flimsy paper BPs issued even at the airport, all one has to do is have Photoshop and a minimal level of skill to create fakes that would pass any level of visual scrutiny. Now, unless the TSA is going to either (1) install BP scanners at the checkpoint, and force airlines to all tie their systems into them (costs the airlines $$--they will fight!) or (2) make the airlines issue "secure" BPs which can otherwise be verified and tough to copy, this is just silly on the part of the TSA.

Likewise, unless the feds somehow demand a "Universal Secure ID Card" for all citizens, there's no way any amount of training is going to make it so the screeners can verify the legitimacy of an ID. There has to be some way to mechanically scan the ID and have it validate against a central DB, and I'm not even going to start on the privacy and technical concerns entailed therein.

Third, even if you come up with secure, verifiable BPs and IDs, what is to stop someone from getting a legit, but fake/duplicate ID and using that to buy tickets? It can't be that hard to create a false identity, and even with the "Real ID" provisions on driver's licenses, etc., there is little to stop a determined person from getting real documents.

This is just so stupid, it makes my head hurt. Ignorance, thy name is TSA.

That last part caused me to have a sudden vision of Kip Hawley being interviewed by James Lipton on "Inside the Actor's Studio".

Craig

Once again, TSA devotes resources to the wrong target.

The only encouraging part of the article was the comments by the two pax who did not say "anything for security."

Didn't all the 9/11 terrorists have proper ID? Osama himself could hand his ID to the TSO goon working the line and all they would do was ensure his ID was real, then send him on his way.

I feel like I'm talking crazy pills.

And of course, just fly without ID and get haraSSSSed and bypass this all together.

And unfortunately, with the way things are going, I'm afraid what is essentially a revenue-protection measure (ID checking), is going to become mandatory.
It already is with Greyhound.

-A

And interestingly enough, the folks that travel on Greyhound are the ones most likely to have fake ID's.

I can't help but say I feel a little bad for the contracted employees who are going to be out of work (the ones at PBI really are a pleasure). But I'm probably more sad that this is going to mean more $$ going to the TSA.

I love the ID checkers who look at my ID, look at my face, look at my ID, look at my face, repeatedly. Am I stupid enough to present an ID that does not have my picture on it? Are real terrorists that stupid? This is beyond idiotic.

I've not been IDed when boarding a Greyhound bus unless I was using a Discovery Pass which allows unlimited travel.

As for the TSA "Document Experts" - They can shove their fancy equipment up their *** when I come through with NO ID.

The TSA is a ....ing government agency with increasing mission creep. To put it bluntly, they can go .... themselves.

No, no. REAL ID is the solution to all our terrorism anxiety. What's that you say ? In order to get a REAL ID you have to present other IDs and those other IDs aren't checked to see whether they are real or not ?

Hmm, gonna have to think about that a while .

Ah, a fishing expedition on another possible crime to report to LEOs.