http://www.usatoday.com/…

The Transportation Security Administration is planning a massive expansion of aviation security that for the first time will regulate thousands of private planes now flying with no security rules.

The new regulations, expected to be proposed in coming months, stop short of passenger screening, but would aim to prevent someone from flying a small plane, possibly packed with explosives, into a building. Authorities also worry about terrorists transporting hazardous materials or themselves on private aircraft, said Michal Morgan, TSA head of general aviation security.

Corporations and aviation groups are watching closely as the TSA prepares to regulate roughly 15,000 private planes that are seen as a convenient alternative to commercial flights. The planes fly in a network of 4,700 small airports — 10 times the number of commercial airports — that rarely have delays and often sit closer to city centers, said Robert Olislagers, executive director of Centennial Airport near Denver, one of the busiest small airports.

The new regulations, which would apply to planes that weigh more than 12,500 pounds, would most likely require measures such as checking flight crew backgrounds, parking planes in secure areas and inspecting planes, Morgan said. “We’ve worked very closely with industry to garner as much input with respect to what is operationally feasible,” Morgan said. It is not clear whether passengers would get background checks.

Many but not all private operators already safeguard their planes. The new rules will “provide a standard of security for a community that doesn’t have one right now,” Morgan said.

The regulations come as Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff has voiced concerns about terrorists using private jets. The department has proposed doing background checks of people flying on private planes into the USA and is looking at tightening security for small airports and for businesses such as fuel dealers that operate on them.

Eric Byer, head of government affairs for the National Air Transportation Association, which represents companies that service business jets, said new security rules “will be a little bit of an inconvenience” but might draw some passengers who now are worried about private planes. “Having a program like this will make (private planes) even more secure,” he said.

More efficient? Can’t have that! Many, as a result of customer demand, already safeguard their planes? Not good enough! If potential customers want the private planes to be more secure they can demand it. Obviously there are some who don’t care and so that nitch has been filed. If they are comfortable with that setup why do people need to force extra security on them? They are making the system less efficient, infringing on people’s right to voluntary associate, violating contract law and not making anyone more secure. If someone wished to use a private plane as a weapon they could. It’s not hard to get a hold of one. You could buy one and take off from a rural road. A small jet would obviously be more difficult to get but I doubt it’d be impossible even now or after such regulation.

This, as is all other TSA action, is security theater. They waste resources, harass passengers, and fail miserably at providing any sort of practical security. I think the reason for this move is DHS wanting more control and/or airline pressure on increased competition. As small as the competitive threat likely is if the government is taking up the cost of inhibiting the competition why not ask?

Such quality customer service. If only they had split the people into 3 lines this never would have happened I’m sure. Or maybe it’s the old white uniforms they may have been wearing. They need the darker blue ones with badges to feel the confidence not to harass the fliers.

http://www.themonitor.com/…

Preparations for Tropical Storm Dolly include plans by the federal government for thousands of illegal immigrants in custody at the detention center.

But U.S. Border Patrol agents at the Sarita checkpoint will not stop motorists evacuating from a hurricane, an official said Monday.

“We’re not going to be stopping people and asking where they’re from,” said Lloyd Easterling, a spokesman for the Border Patrol in Washington, D.C. “We don’t want to slow the evacuation process. Life is paramount at this point.”

Isn’t that nice of them. Tom from New Hampshire on last night’s FTL said that representitive Ciro Rodriguez, who was on a plane with Ron Paul which had to make an emergency landing yesterday in New Orleans, said that people evacuating should bring identification just to be sure. Never know when the thugs will change their minds.

In other news, the police state wants to make it easier for you to be harassed.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/…

TSA asked luggage makers to come up with prototype designs that will make it easier to view a laptop in the X-ray machines, basically by building in a place to store the laptop in a back or front compartment where there are no straps, pockets, zippers etc. Cables and chargers would have to be stored in side pouches.

“We’re looking to see what works in terms of fewer obstructions in the bag itself that often mask what’s really in it,” said Dwayne Baird, a TSA spokesman in Seattle. “One of the biggest things we hear is people saying, ‘we’re tired of pulling out our laptops.”‘

TSA says not having to remove laptops would speed up security lines and reduce the number of claims it gets for computers damaged during screening.

One manufacturer says it hopes to have a bag ready by this fall that will meet TSA’s specifications. Tustin, Calif.-based Pathfinder Luggage will begin producing a rolling style briefcase (14 x 8 x 17 inches) with wheels and separate zippered compartments that would retail for around $100.

The laptop changes would follow on the TSA’s new “Black Diamond” program that calls for passengers to segregate themselves into color-coded security lines based on their traveling expertise.

In place at one security check point at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, it calls for travelers to voluntarily go to different lanes — black for “experts,” meaning frequent fliers who pack light, know the security drill and won’t hold up the line; blue for “casual travelers” who fly just a few times a year and may not be familiar with all the new rules; and green for families with children or others needing special help.

Nice to know the criminals want to make the victim as comfortable as possible. They wouldn’t be able to continue if they started getting all uppity.

TSA’s Badges Are a Sore Spot With Cops

Screeners at the nation’s airport checkpoints are going to start wearing police-style badges - but real officers aren’t too happy about it.

Some sworn officers fear airline passengers will mistake screeners for law-enforcement officials with arrest powers.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is starting to equip its 48,000 screeners with 3-inch-by-2-inch, silver-colored, copper and zinc badges that will be worn on new royal-blue police-style shirts.

The attire aims to convey an image of authority to passengers, who have harassed, pushed and in a few instances punched screeners. “Some of our officers aren’t respected,” TSA spokeswoman Ellen Howe said.

Nor should they be. Not only is what they do an egregious infringement on the 4th Amendment but also the 9th and 10th and perhaps the 14th. It’s also an affront to private property. It doesn’t matter what outfit you wear. This, this, this, or this. You make people’s lives more difficult without any benefit.

“A lot of cops at airports are not real thrilled about it,” said Duane McGray of the Airport Law Enforcement Agencies Network, an airport police association. “It’s another way of saying (to airport police), ‘You’re not important.’ “

Boo fucking hoo. Police in general are far less important then they think they or wish they were. The war on drugs has given the police officer profession a sense of importance that is completely undeserved. Do consumers want protection services? Sure. But the police don’t offer protection.

I hope this leads to a showdown between the local and federal authorities in the same way the Real ID law is. Reminds me of another South Park reference:

AUTHORITARIAN FIGHT!!

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/…

A 74-year-old grandmother spent the night in jail after she refused security officers’ efforts to check her at Palm Beach International Airport and then shoved a deputy, authorities said Thursday.

Elena Reichman, a Holocaust survivor who lives west of Boca Raton, is charged with felony battery on a law enforcement officer. She was released from jail after posting a $3,000 bond at 5 a.m. Thursday. It was her first arrest, state records show.

Reichman was in the airport to catch a flight to New York for Passover when she set off the metal detector at about 1 p.m. Wednesday, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Paul Miller said.

Transportation Security Administration workers told her they would have to do a secondary screening, which includes using a metal detector wand, TSA spokeswoman Sari Koshetz said.

“She refused to remove the items from her pockets,” Koshetz said.

Officials took her to a private area away from other passengers and called Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Deputy Margaret Picerno.

“She started screaming and being abusive,” Miller said. Reichman told security officers the detector was set off by a pin with money she wore inside her clothing, officials said.

“She didn’t want to take anything out of her pockets,” Koshetz said. “When we asked her again to remove anything she became belligerent.”

When Picerno, a 17-year veteran with the Sheriff’s Office, tried to calm Reichman down, it got worse, Miller said: “She started screaming and grabbed the arms of the deputy and shoved her.”

Reichman was arrested.

“The public needs to realize that anyone can pose a threat,” Koshetz said.

Mainly “sad” and “ironic” come to mind. Given the trauma this woman likely has because of her experiences during WWII I very much doubt being surrounded by a gang of TSA agents barking orders at her would go over well.

http://www.usatoday.com/…

Security screeners at two of the nation’s busiest airports failed to find fake bombs hidden on undercover agents posing as passengers in more than 60% of tests last year, according to a classified report obtained by USA TODAY.

Screeners at Los Angeles International Airport missed about 75% of simulated explosives and bomb parts that Transportation Security Administration testers hid under their clothes or in carry-on bags at checkpoints, the TSA report shows.

At Chicago O’Hare International Airport, screeners missed about 60% of hidden bomb materials that were packed in everyday carry-ons — including toiletry kits, briefcases and CD players. San Francisco International Airport screeners, who work for a private company instead of the TSA, missed about 20% of the bombs, the report shows. The TSA ran about 70 tests at Los Angeles, 75 at Chicago and 145 at San Francisco.

Funny… they only talk about the private firm once. 20% failure is still not great but it’s a hell of a lot better than 60% and 75%. As I ranted about here… the government can keep you no safer than private, voluntary means. The reason for ‘needing’ this security was the government. The government restricted the airlines ability to protect their property and customers. They continue to force these security measures that are not only immoral in a free society but impractical and inefficient.