TSA Adds Security Measures Following Terror Attempt

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Chevy57

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TSA Adds Security Measures Following Terror Attempt

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) implemented new security policies following the failed attempt to bomb a Delta flight on Christmas day. Passengers traveling within the United States will likely see fewer new measures in action than those traveling into the country from an international destination.

The TSA's official list of guidelines, however, is vague. For domestic travelers, TSA says, "At this time, security checkpoint requirements for passengers departing U.S. airports remain the same. Passengers do not need to do anything differently, but they may notice additional security measures at the airport." TSA also recomends allowing a little extra time for check-in and security, but says "Passengers should not expect to see the same thing at every airport."

International travelers, on the other hand, "can expect to see additional security measures at international airports such as increased gate screening including pat-downs and bag searches. During flight, passengers will be asked to follow flight crew instructions, such as stowing personal items, turning off electronic equipment and remaining seated during certain portions of the flight."

According to USA Today, what this really means is, "For the time being, passengers flying to the USA must remain in their seats for about an hour before their flight lands and put away personal items, such as electronic equipment, bags, pillows and other bulky items." As for domestic passengers, they "will see more bomb-sniffing dogs, airport police and TSA officers who observe passengers and question those who appear suspicious.... The agency is increasing "gate screening": pulling passengers waiting to board out of line to search their belongings."

So, to summarize:

Domestic Passengers

What to Expect

Increased police presence at security, including bomb-sniffing K9 units
Greater chance of additional screenings of person via pat-downs and hand-held devices
Greater chance of additional bag searches, even after passing through X-ray
What to Do

Allow extra time for security and check-in
Organize your carry-on for easy searching if selected for additional screening
Carry the bare minimum on your person, and be extra sure to empty your pockets, etc., before screening

International Passengers

What to Expect

More attention paid to bathroom visits, both in frequency and duration
Limited use of electronic devices during the last hour of a flight
Restrictions on leaving your seat during the last hour of a flight
Restrictions on having anything on your lap during the last hour of a flight
Increased police presence at security, including bomb-sniffing K9 units
Greater chance of additional screenings of person via pat-downs and hand-held devices
Greater chance of additional bag searches, even after passing through X-ray

What to Do

Pay close attention to instructions from the flight crew, both before and during your flight
Allow extra time for security and check-in
Try to hit the restroom before the last hour of the flight (and prepare for a line)
Organize your carry-on for easy searching if selected for additional screening
Carry the bare minimum on your person, and be extra sure to empty your pockets, etc., before screening
At this point, it's not clear exactly how long these restrictions will be in place.

The most significant aspect of this incident may be that the suspect's makeshift bomb was comprised largely of a powder explosive. Powder explosives are difficult to detect with current screening procedures and equipment, and are the main target of the controversial whole body scanners the TSA is in the process of implementing. Whole body scanners can locate non-metallic items concealed beneath passengers' clothes. Investigators have surmised that the suspect hid his bomb-making materials on his body.

Investigators also suspect he had an accomplice, perhaps a security worker in Amsterdam who helped him escape scrutiny.

The security implications of this incident extend to the government's no-fly list. The suspect's father apparently alerted the American embassy in October that his son had been "radicalized," and could pose a threat to the U.S. The government, for reasons not yet known, did not add the suspect's name to the no-fly list or revoke his U.S. travel visa, though he was marked for a full investigation if and when he applied for a new visa.

President Obama has ordered a full review of both airport security and no-fly list procedures.

Readers, do you think the new security measures will have a significant impact on your travels?

TSA Adds Security Measures Following Terror Attempt - SmarterTravel.com
 
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according to Homeland Security source - the current national threat level is YELLOW however - for all domestic and international flights, the threat level is at ORANGE.

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Remain seated? The problem is that when Abdulmutallab tried to detonate his strapped on bomb into the final hour of the airplane's descent. This new ruling may in effect create additional doubt among passengers on whether to help try and stop an incident by getting out their seats. Imagine, all this extra security precautions are now being implemented after the fact.
 
Yep, stupid rules. Air Marshall will shoot someone trying to stop a terrorist from setting off a bomb. TSA is pissed off nobody died on the Delta airline because people interfered, hence the new seating rule.

Yiz
 
Nice way to create additional doubt for passengers on whether to leave the seats or not if they sense something might be wrong while on a flight.
 
I dislike that airline fares may hike for more TSA.
 
yizuman said:
Yep, stupid rules. Air Marshall will shoot someone trying to stop a terrorist from setting off a bomb. TSA is pissed off nobody died on the Delta airline because people interfered, hence the new seating rule.

Yiz
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huh????????? your post makes absolutely no sense at all!!!
 
kokonut said:
Remain seated? The problem is that when Abdulmutallab tried to detonate his strapped on bomb into the final hour of the airplane's descent. This new ruling may in effect create additional doubt among passengers on whether to help try and stop an incident by getting out their seats. Imagine, all this extra security precautions are now being implemented after the fact.
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kokonut said:
Nice way to create additional doubt for passengers on whether to leave the seats or not if they sense something might be wrong while on a flight.
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in case you're confused... let me help you. You should know that it's a normal procedure that you are to buckle your belt and to remain seated and prior to landing.

I'm sure the people have decent common sense to know when to intervene or not in like most cases. Don't forget - this similar incident happened twice.... both intervened by passengers.... :)

I guess now I'll know who to not count on in case of attempted terrorist plot to blow up the plane..... let us not forget it is passengers who foiled Flight 93 hijackers bounded for White House even though their lives perished but they were hero.
 
This requirement is for one hour prior to landing...not 15 or 30 minutes before. When you add additional security requirements they create potentially more confusion and even uncertainty among passengers. The key thing is a proactive measure to prevent the loss of life, not reactive. Flight 93 was all reactive. They were the unfortunate product of a failed system. All lives were lost on that plane. Nothing successful about that.
 
kokonut said:
This requirement is for one hour prior to landing...not 15 or 30 minutes before. When you add additional security requirements they create potentially more confusion and even uncertainty among passengers. The key thing is a proactive measure to prevent the loss of life, not reactive. Flight 93 was all reactive. They were the unfortunate product of a failed system. All lives were lost on that plane. Nothing successful about that.
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still will not prevent the passengers to tackle the terrorist :)

again - ZERO terrorist attacks so far on American soil... all thanks to proactive passengers with due diligence and bravery.
 
Yes, the mission to get a terrorist on board with a bomb strapped on was a success. The attack in of itself wasn't deemed as a success although it started a fire that could've gone out of control potentially injuring or killing passengers in the process. So, in one way it was successful while another it wasn't a success. The point is that a terrorist attack DID TAKE PLACE ON A PLANE.
 
kokonut said:
Yes, the mission to get a terrorist on board with a bomb strapped on was a success. The attack in of itself wasn't deemed as a success although it started a fire that could've gone out of control potentially injuring or killing passengers in the process. So, in one way it was successful while another it wasn't a success. The point is that a terrorist attack DID TAKE PLACE ON A PLANE.
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in other word... ZERO terrorist attack on American soil so far... because no lives have been lost. the plot has been averted. god bless these brave passengers.
 
yizuman said:
Yep, stupid rules. Air Marshall will shoot someone trying to stop a terrorist from setting off a bomb. TSA is pissed off nobody died on the Delta airline because people interfered, hence the new seating rule.

Yiz
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Jiro said:
huh????????? your post makes absolutely no sense at all!!!
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Sorry you didn't get my sarcasm.

What I am saying now is that the new seating rule will make it harder for someone to get off their seat to stop a terrorist from trying to do what that idiot had previously tried to do and he got stopped.

So with TSA issuing the new rule, it will cause Air Marshals to doubt a true concern from a civilian getting up from their seat after seeing someone trying to light a bomb like the previous story shows.

So here's the scenario that I am looking at....

Civilian: "OMG, that man looks like he's trying to light something!!! Maybe it's a bomb!!" *Gets up from his seat*

Air Marshal: "Hey!! Sit down! You're not allowed to get up from your seat!!"

Civilian: "But officer, this man is ....."

Air Marshal: "I don't care what your problem is. TSA's new ruling is that everyone is to remain seated during the entire flight!! So sit your ass down or I'll arrest you!!"

Civilian: "But sir, he has a...."

BOOM! Too late....

Yiz
 
Jiro said:
in other word... ZERO terrorist attack on American soil so far... because no lives have been lost. the plot has been averted. god bless these brave passengers.
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Still, The terrorist is everywhere in the world's soils. I am not surprise that African man came to Detriot on Christmas Eve at plane. Geez!

What did Obama said about him??
 
I hate TSA rules! Ugh! That is all terrorist's faulted! Because the International Airports got liquid banned. :(

My cousin's wife's native of Panama. She is Panaman. She came home to USA from Panama for 1 month. She brought the alcohol made in Panama to USA. She arrived at Washington DC last Dec 21. The TSA and security were search over her luggage and found the alcohol bottle. They took it away. She can't bring the alcohol because it's liquid.
 
Pinky said:
I hate TSA rules! Ugh! That is all terrorist's faulted! Because the International Airports got liquid banned. :(

My cousin's wife's native of Panama. She is Panaman. She came home to USA from Panama for 1 month. She brought the alcohol made in Panama to USA. She arrived at Washington DC last Dec 21. The TSA and security were search over her luggage and found the alcohol bottle. They took it away. She can't bring the alcohol because it's liquid.
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Yeah, my sister had brought 12 cans of her favorite Cincinnati Chili in carry-in bag but TSA agent told her to throw it away. She refuse to do that and gave all of them to poor people.

Many passengers are confused about new TSA rules.
 
Chevy57 said:
Yeah, my sister had brought 12 cans of her favorite Cincinnati Chili in carry-in bag but TSA agent told her to throw it away. She refuse to do that and gave all of them to poor people.

Many passengers are confused about new TSA rules.
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Oh no! That is suck! Umm how about eat and drink on plane above the sky?? I can't understand why we can't have liquid. How about people's restroom on plane??

It was my last time flight to Indy from San Antonio, TX in 2004. The security checked my luggage and bags and found the alert of new brand that I don't use shave cream, bans, and perfume to see make sure no drug inside. :eek3: The TSA have all kind of luggage's keys chains with necklaces.

Later on liquid banned in 2007 or 2008. I am not sure.
 
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