Archive for the Category »Airport Security «

Dec
06th		   Tues Travel Tip: Old Age is Hard Enough – How to Prepare for Embarrassing Pat Downs?
Leave a Comment Category: Airport Security, Senior Travel, Travel Tags: , ,

Warning: Don’t visualize the following details.

The latest story from JFK airport is that two women in their 80s going through security were required to pull down their pants to show a back brace and colostomy bag. We’ve heard similar stories – another senior was forced to remove her wet diaper because the body scanner showed a spot on it.

At what point can we preserve an elderly person’s dignity and yet still practice tough national security? In 2009, a Nigerian man tried to blow up a flight to Detroit on Christmas Day with explosives in his underpants. So the very personal hiding spots are not without precedent.

The TSA has adjusted screening procedures for certain people – Just a couple months ago it modified pat downs of kids under 12 – But I wonder if announcing that is a smart thing to do since a would-be sick-minded terrorist could then hide something on a child.

The problem of screening seniors is only going to grow with the aging boomer population and a whole sea of medical devices requiring special screening: Catheters, prosthetics, pacemakers, and artificial hips….

According to reports, prosthetic devices can possibly set off metal detectors, and catheters and bags are visible on body scanners, making those passengers candidates for more intimate inspections. Metal detectors and wands can disrupt some devices such as implanted defibrillators, so those passengers must ask for pat-downs instead.

Welcome to the post 9/11 world. How do we get around it? Would you want your grandmother to be asked to drop her drawers? A doctor’s note may not be enough. Sensitivity training is going on right now, according to TSA reports.

The best thing to do to avoid a pat down is to be extra careful about removing things from your pockets and your body that may trigger the metal detector or body scanner, and spawn a more intensive search.

If you are traveling with a senior, especially one with a medical condition, make sure to explain the whole security process – and what may happen in a pat down. At least preparing them will reduce some of the shock.

If you or a senior member of the family do need a pat down, ask to go to a private room – which means you REALLY need to get to the airport early.

Of course, there are those, like me, who choose the pat downs. I am a little OCD about radiation – I know I know, they say it is such small levels in the body scanners. I have joked with the women patting me down… changed the subject to ignore the embarrassing situation…and just deal with it. After all, I chose to have one.

But for seniors, we have to practice a little more sensitivity. Any ideas?

 
Nov
18th		   New TSA Travel Rules for Family Travel
Leave a Comment Category: Airport Security, Travel Tags: , ,

Finally… a little something to make traveling with children easier this holiday season. This from the TSA:

  • New Screening Procedures for Passengers 12 and Under: TSA has implemented new procedures that reduce, though not eliminate, pat-downs of passengers 12 and under that would otherwise have been conducted to resolve alarms while also ensuring effective security measures. Passengers 12 and under are also able to leave their shoes on when going through security checkpoints.

And here are some good travel tips to keep in mind this time of year -

  • Holiday Travel Tips
  • Travelers should remember the three simple steps to security: have ID’s out, coats and shoes off, and laptops and 311 bags out for screening. TSA reminds travelers to follow 3–1–1 for carry-on luggage for non-exempt liquids: 3 ounce bottle or less for all liquids, gels and aerosols; placed in a 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag to hold all small bottles; 1 bag per passenger placed in screening bin. The limitations on liquids apply only to carry-on bags and larger quantities may be packed in checked baggage.
  • TSA also recommends that passengers do not travel with wrapped packages. In order to determine if the contents of a package are a threat, a security officer may need to unwrap and inspect the item. Snow globes of any size are not permitted in carry-on bags because officers cannot accurately determine the volume of liquid. TSA recommends passengers pack these items securely in checked baggage.
  • Food items such as pies and cakes are permitted but may require further inspection. If travelers are not sure if a food item is considered a liquid or gel it is best to pack the item in checked baggage or ship it to a destination in advance.

TSA reminds travelers to be vigilant during the holiday travel season by reporting suspicious activity to local law enforcement. The traveling public plays an important role in security, so “If You See Something, Say Something.”

The TSA has also devised a mobile app to help you  with any security or screening questions.

For more information on these and other helpful tips, please visit www.tsa.gov.

Here’s to the beginning of the holiday season!

 
Nov
15th		   Travel Tip Tuesday: How to Best Navigate Airports, & Find Surprising Services
Leave a Comment Category: Airport Security, Technology, Travel Tags:

Don’t ya hate when you have a great idea, and someone beats you to developing it?

A few years ago I wrote up a book proposal  – a guide to the world’s busiest airports with maps and hours of operation for all amenities. Since travelers were spending more time at airports due to longer security checks, I thought it was a great idea. There have been many times myself when I landed somewhere at a late hour and wondered where I could find a restaurant that was open. Or times when I wanted to pick up a gift on the way home, and didn’t know where to go.

Anyway, I shopped the book around to a few literary agents, and they liked the idea.. just thought it might make a better magazine series, or couldn’t figure out if anyone beyond business travelers would need it.

SFO

In comes the “App” age. The airport guide is the perfect app idea. In today’s airports we are experiencing upgraded and even exciting amenities like cutting edge design, charging stations, gourmet food, and massage chairs so there is a lot more we can get excited about.

Airport Charging Station

There are some useful apps out there to help you get through airports, whether delayed, on a layover, or have time to kill waiting for a flight. They can also help you discover  hidden gems in various terminals.

I once had to buy a stopwatch for a shoot, and actually found a pretty great watch store in Denver’s airport… stumbled upon a fun wine bar in Oakland… have spent hours shopping in Heathrow…and even seen a full-service spa offering Brazilian bikini waxes. Good to know.

All of this can be info at your fingertips. Here are some airport assisting apps for you to check out – easy to carry right in your phone!

1) Flysmart App: Free on the iphone. Gives you maps of more than 25 domestic airports and what each one offers.

2) Airports are launching their own apps – look for guides under the airport’s name.

3) Gate Guru – free Android and iphone.

4) ifly Airport Guide -free Android and iphone.

Here’s to never getting lost in terminals again. :)

 
May
02nd		   Former NY Mayor Rudy Giuliani, U.S. Government Words of Caution
Leave a Comment Category: Airport Security, Staying Safe, Travel Tags: , ,

In light of the HUGE news last night, today Rudy Giuliani said just hours ago ” In the short term (this development) could be very dangerous for us…”

The U.S. State department acknowledges that acts of retaliation are quite possible. As symbolic as the death of bin Laden is, the reality is that there are other terrorists – part of Al Qaeda and not – who are still intent on hurting American citizens and interests. Images of Americans jubilant in the streets may not help. There was always concern bin Laden would be seen as a martyr.
The United States put American diplomatic facilities around the world on high alert and issued a global travel warning for Americans early today.

“Given the uncertainty and volatility of the current situation, U.S. citizens in areas where recent events could cause anti-American violence are strongly urged to limit their travel outside of their homes and hotels and avoid mass gatherings and demonstrations,” the State Department said. “U.S. citizens should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times.”
The Homeland Security official said the agency remains “at a heightened state of vigilance,” although the national terror-threat level was not immediately raised following bin Laden’s death.
“Our security posture, which always includes a number of measures both seen and unseen, will continue to protect the American people from an evolving threat picture both in the next days and beyond,” the official said.

There are reports that airports will additionally be under heightened security so allow enough time to get through any lines to make your flight.

Fellow travelers… for more info on staying safe abroad – visit www.travel.state.gov.

 
Dec
21st		   New Poll Shows More People Would Travel If…
Leave a Comment Category: Airport Security, Travel Tags:

Shocker. This just in: The traveling public thinks air travel security screening can be greatly improved, and most would take two-three more trips a year if it were less of a hassle.

This research just published during this busy holiday travel period, by the U.S. Travel Association.

Might be worth the TSA making changes… not just for convenience, but because the poll suggests that the added trips people would take could pump $84.6 billion in travel spending, and provide 880,000 jobs.

To read more -

http://www.ustravel.org/news/press-releases/american-traveling-public-says-there-has-be-better-way-conduct-air-travel-secu

May your holiday travels be hassle-free…

 
Nov
17th		   Privacy vs Safety…Which would you choose?
Leave a Comment Category: Airport Security, Travel Tags: ,

Just in time for the busiest travel weekend of the year, the TSA has implemented more “thorough” pat downs, and more body scanning machines at airports.

Here is what the new pat downs will involve, according to the LA Times:

The new search technique used by the Transportation Security Administration allows airport security screeners to use their fingers and palms to feel and probe for hidden weapons and devices around sensitive body parts, such as the breast and groin areas.

Isn’t that going a little too far? How do we prevent  the TSA officer not to abuse his or her “probing power?” (BTW – has anyone thought about what a freaky job that would be? Even if it is Kate Beckinsale you are patting.)

The other security measure at some airports is  to walk through body scanners – which are controversial because some say they have dangerous levels of radiation… and provide a pretty personal silhouette of your ahem, figure.

Some vocal travelers are protesting these security measures – you’ve probably heard about the Southern California man who caused a ruckus when he opted to not take his flight instead of getting pat down or going through the body scanners.

But – let me ask you – if TSA doesn’t employ some drastic security measures – what is the price? Are we willing to pay for it with more terrorist attempts? With more human lives? What is the right amount of privacy invasion? Where is the right balance?

Personally, after having three children, and being pushed and probed everywhere, having a pat down or showing a little body profile is a small price to pay for a system that may deter…and prevent …some more crazies from trying to fly the apparently not-so-friendly skies with explosives in his underwear.  The radiation scares me more…. hopefully technology will hasten the pace of a safer screening system.

The cheap thrills are, well, …cheap. But the potential price tag of  eliminating them is way too high.

Thoughts?

 
Nov
02nd		   Tuesday Travel Tip: Don’t Get Delayed at the Airport – New TSA Rules You Should Know
Leave a Comment Category: Airport Security, Staying Safe, Travel Tags: ,

This week a new TSA procedure goes into effect: Under the agency’s Secure Flight Program, when you book a flight now, you need to provide your name EXACTLY as it appears on your government issued ID, your birthdate, gender, and redress number if applicable.

This is following a 9/11 Commission recommendation in attempts to improve our  watch list ID matching. So when you book a flight with a travel agent, online, or over the phone, you need to make sure you give all this info, and that your correct name is on your boarding pass…otherwise, you could face unnecessary delays, and potential misidentification. That means for those of you women out there like me who use a maiden or hyphenated name for business, make sure you give the name that is on your official ID.

The start date of this program was yesterday, but any flights booked before November 1 can still be changed.

The new procedure is to prevent individuals on the No Fly List from boarding a plane and to identify those on the Selectee List for enhanced screening.

http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/layers/secureflight/

Happy and Safe Travels -

 
Aug
09th		   What Were They Thinking? True Stories From Airport Security
Leave a Comment Category: Airport Security, Travel Tags:

Many of us have had that “oops” packing moment…whether it be forgetting to get rid of that bottled water in your bag before going through airport security lines… or having a Swiss army knife on your key chain.

But the following stories go way beyond that. August is the busiest month at a New Jersey warehouse where goods confiscated at airports are stored…..Below is a list of wacky items customs officials and airport security screeners have found at New York and Washington D.C. area airports, all in passengers’ luggage. Really.

Animals that are considered delicacies have been found frequently…

How about -

–A full body smoked monkey – with its face and teeth still visible.

–Two full length uncooked cows legs

–A roasted hamster

Other animals:

–One man tried to conceal two live pigeons on his legs under a pair of tights

–Another tied a baby alligator to his legs

–A drug stuffed dead cat

Of course, there are other drug smuggling stories:

–A padded bra stuffed with cocaine

–A 70-year-old woman hid some hash in her magazine

Weapons believe it or not, are still packed…

—Fully loaded hand guns are not uncommon

–But how about a gassed up power chain saw??

Sometimes you may feel like you packed everything but the kitchen sink -but one man really DID pack the kitchen sink.

And lastly, my favorite..sad but true:

–A Chilean family tried to wheel a dead relative through security in a wheelchair, trying to avoid paying a fee for transporting a body.

The most common excuse after someone is caught carrying contraband? “Someone else packed my bags.” If any of the above items interest you, most are eventually auctioned off on ebay!

 
May
11th		   Tuesday Travel Tip: At airports, size does matter.
Leave a Comment Category: Airport Security, Packing, Travel Tags: , ,

Recently I traveled with some girl friends. As we were going through the layers of security lines, taking our shoes off and laptops out of their bags, one friend asked me about the TSA’s liquid restriction. Do you have to bring a 3.4 ounce bottle, or can you bring a bigger liquid container that is only half full? I’ve been asked that question before….

Since August of 2006 the TSA has curbed how much liquid we can pack in our carry on bags. When I say liquid, I am talking also gels, and aerosols. Each container has to be 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less… you CAN’T bring a 6 ounce container of shampoo that is almost finished –  unless you pack it in your checked baggage. Here size does matter. It is the size of the container, not how much liquid is in it.

And don’t forget – you are supposed to put them in a Ziploc bag, and take it out of your baggage as you go through security lines to speed up the process.

There are a few liquids that ARE allowed in greater quantities…Some I find rather interesting…..They are the following:

–Baby formula, breast milk, and juice if a baby or small child is traveling

–All prescription and over the counter medications including eye drops

–Liquids for a passenger with a disability or medical condition

–Life sustaining liquids like bone marrow or blood

–Items to augment the body for medical or cosmetic reasons including bras that contain liquid or gel, mastectomy products, or prosthetic breasts.

–Frozen items are allowed as long as they are frozen solid when presented for screening. If frozen items are partially melted, slushy, or have any liquid at the bottom of the container, they have to be less than 3.4 ounces and put in a Ziploc bag.

If you travel with any of the above items. you have to let security personnel know.

If anyone can give me an example of something frozen one might travel with that wouldn’t melt on the flight…I’d love to know. Talk about covering your bases…

www.tsa.gov/311/