TSA blogs about the new ID rules

[KBCraig]

As you probably know, the TSA has modified their rules for flying without ID. Someone who forgets their ID, or who doesn't have any, can still fly after going through enhanced security; someone who has ID but refuses to provide it will be summarily denied and will not be allowed to fly.

In other words, Jim Gilmore, Russell Kanning, and a handful of other activists.

TSA recently started a blog for "customer relations" as part of their "partnership with the traveling public". 

They blogged about the first 48 hours of this new rule, and were hammered in the comments. In an attempt to address these comments, they dug the hole even deeper in a follow-up blog.

What a smug bunch of idiots.

[doobie]

At least they *attempt* to have some humor.   

I'm not an Internet-based attorney but I probably could play one on TV.

[SamIam]

Thanks for the head's up Craig, I picked their post apart. Let's see if they have the courage to respond.

Hi Christopher,

I have a few things to point out about your post along with a few questions of my own.

"Sure. The 20 people of the 10 million plus that did fly were turned away from the checkpoint"

So as long as your only trampling the rights of a few, that makes it ok? What's the number for you where it becomes unacceptable?

"This list is for people that require additional screening before they fly."

Christopher - These people don't require additional screening, you and others acting as the TSA, demand it, because government has granted itself a monopoly on airport security. Please be clear in your communications.

You reference your screening databases, how many millions were thrown away on the first 2 attempts at passenger databases again? And the Puffer machines that don't work? What's the resale value on those?

"We are simply using commercial data as a way to assist individuals in verifying their identity when they otherwise are unable to establish it through an acceptable identity document."

Again Christopher, Individuals are not verifying their identity, your demanding they present papers at your checkpoint in order for them to travel in a free country.  Please be clear in your responses. They are not verifying identity, you are.

""Would this new procedure withstand a lawsuit?" The answer was yes."

Well I would hope so, you are using the government's lawyers in government courts, under the government's rules, with a government judge overseeing the proceedings, using the almost unlimited money of the people your oppressing to fight them, government is likely to win. Meanwhile, the victim of your policy gets to spend their own money. Great system your company has designed for yourself.   

"we're also preventing someone from memorizing a simple set of facts to game the system."

While simultaneously setting up the carnival booth effect as MIT described in it's study, lowering overall security. Great plan.

"Just yesterday (July 1), we identified a passenger with a fake social security card. Last week, we found a fraudulent passport. Altered documents are a staple of criminal and terrorist activity. We're playing offense here and not giving free shots to a patient enemy."

I'm glad you have all of these statistics at your fingertips, tell me Christopher, how many real "terrorists" have the men and women doing business as the TSA stopped? Were any of the people you describe above a real threat to passenger security? Did they have any intention of harming anyone?

"Our attorneys interpret ATSA as saying we can do this, we think it's important so we're doing this. "

Well as long as your own atty. have said it's ok, then I guess we should all comply. What does verifying identity have to do with physical security? Your not going to tell me about some kind of mind control terrorists who could make the pilot crash the plane are you?

"The government is involved in this because we're charged with aviation security."

WRONG. Government was established to protect and maintain the rights of individuals. One of those being the first amendment (first because it's the most important) contains the freedom to travel. If I don't accept your government's ID, how does your government protect my right to travel?

"until TSA was formed in late 2001."

Again, be clear. The TSA was not formed, that's a voluntary act between parties. It was demanded by dictate that Airlines be forced to use your ineffective security. Please be honest with us.

"We partner with said airlines to ensure no-flys"

Partnership implies a voluntary association, you demand the airlines follow your policies. That's not a partnership, that's a subservient relationship. Please be clear in your communications.

"we are also working on assuming responsibility for watch list matching from the airlines through our Secure Flight program"

Well, I'll be! Who would have thought the TSA is seeking to expand it's authority, control and power even further. What a surprise. Kinda like when you started checking ID at the bus stop in Indiana.

"Keeping no-flys off planes is good security and simply patting down someone does not verify identity."

Can you explain why it's "good security" for the people who's rights your obligated to protect ensures them the freedom of travel to peacefully assemble?

"I do encourage you to apply for redress at: http://www.dhs.gov.trip/. "

In the private market companies who make mistakes can be punished by customers buying products and services elsewhere. Tell me Christopher, if the TSA fails to remove me from the list, what punishment or market signals correct the problem?

I'm still waiting to hear back on my complaint about a (TSA Approved) lock the TSA lost 3 years ago. They have no incentive to respond and doing so will cost them 10 bucks. Why would they fix anything with those motivating factors? It would have to get really bad wouldn't it?

"Our partners in the law enforcement and intelligence communities work tirelessly and in some cases under great physical danger to identify individuals that pose a threat to aviation."

Christopher, you keep saying this, but fail to identify what the supposed threat is? Please, enlighten us, because it seems to a lot of people that your simply ramping up the police state to achieve greater control, compliance, and perceived authority by threatening to deny travel to the people your supposedly instituted to serve. Enlighten us please. . .

"Our position is that Gilmore v. Gonzalez affirmed our ability to require ID for transportation via air and the law that formed TSA, the Aviation and Transportation Security Act (ATSA) empowers the TSA to make these decisions."

Can you post the copy of Gilmore v. Gonzalez your reading, because I don't think it says that. . .

"We will be prepared to address that issue if it happens. Thusfar, every state in the union is working with DHS on REAL ID."

WRONG, a handful of states have passed laws refusing Real ID, and I won't be taking one as well. The Fed. Gov. automatically granted them extensions to give the perception of compliance. (same way you create a perception of security) Do you plan to keep me from seeing my family over your silly rules?

Sure I could take the bus, but you have already started testing the waters for ID checks to board a bus in Indiana. Literally, you can do what you want and see if you get away with it. If someone sues, your only going to use their money to fight them. When will the stupid citizens learn who is in charge eh?


"3. . . .what disciplinary action will be taken against a TSO who asks. [inappropriate question] . . .in order to verify their identity?"

"We've already said we don't see the types of questions you bring up as appropriate."


It's a fair question. Your avoiding the answer, so I'll attempt to answer it.. If I worked at a fast food restaurant and asked a lady her breast size, I would get fired. Of course the TSA doesn't have to answer to customers (as you state above) because your a monopoly. Plus, firing one of your own officers makes your company look bad in the press as well. So your actually motivated to cover it up. There's your answer people.

"See, we're doing is forcing people with bad intentions into additional layers of security here."

Honesty Christopher, please! Your not forcing "bad" people into additional layers of security, your forcing ALL people into additional layers of security. I can't opt out can I?

"We don't contract out with anybody. TSA employees at our ops center verify the identity with publicly available databases."

WRONG again, you contract with Blue and share biometric data. Why them readers ask? They paid off the right government official's PAC to get the monopoly private fat government contract of course.

"Why, in their right mind, would a known terrorist use a legitimate ID to buy their ticket? Wouldn't they just get a good fake?"

Chances are they would use the ID of someone that looks like them and float right through without making any waves. Behavior detection fails if they don't fit the profile or believe in what they are doing, see the Carnival effect study.

The best quote was this:

"Good question Abelard. We've been increasing layers of security for years and now that TSA officers check documents at every airport in the country, we've effectively moved the issue and are trying to address this threat."

Tell me two things Christopher, where does your fascist police state dream end?

And do you have the courage to post this comment and address my points?

Also there's a study out on the color of uniforms. Turns out lighter colors evoke a more friendly and helpful perception by the public, while the darker you go they are perceived as more powerful, aggressive, threatening, and authoritarian. The new TSA uniforms go from White to Blue and you give them real metal badges instead of the iron on patches. Why the change in color with the metal badges and stepped up demands, your here to protect my right to travel as government was established to do right?  Your not going to do something cheezy like release the new uniforms on 9/11 again are you? How long do you intend to rule and assert power through fear?

SamIam

(I hope you boys enjoyed my petition for redress of grievances I've used as a boarding pass over the last few years flying as a seletee)

[Pat K]