Militia-funding banana company Chiquita has announced a big restructuring plan that will eliminate 160 management jobs, including 21% of the top three tiers of management, for a savings of $60-80 million dollars in 2008. The company says it will use the savings to pay down debt. It doesn’t mention, however, that last month it was fined $25 million for financially supporting both left- and right-wing paramilitary groups in Colombia from 1997 to 2004.
TSA Asks Passengers In San Diego To Smuggle Fake Bombs On Planes
By October 22, 2007
Turns out there’s a hidden gem in that 2006 TSA report that was recently leaked to USA Today (and previously written about here)—among the various stats and figures is the following statement: “At San Diego International Airport, tests are run by passengers whom local TSA managers ask to carry a fake bomb, said screener Cris Soulia, an official in a screeners union.”
How To Request Your Homeland Security Travel Dosiier
By September 26, 2007
In its efforts to combat terrorism, fight human trafficking, and bust drug dealers, the Department of Homeland Security compiles a large database of where you go, who you travel with, what you read and more. If you’re curious about what this record contains, you can request a copy of your file under the Freedom Of Information Act. Unsecure Flight hosts two form letters for submitting this request, along with instructions for doing so.
The TSA Has Your Reading List
By September 23, 2007
According to the Washington Post, the TSA is compiling extensive traveler records that can track passenger reading preferences. The Automated Targeting System is ostensibly designed to help officials ferret out terrorists; citizens who recently asked the government for records of their travel found that the databases also contains: “a description of a book on marijuana that one of them carried and small flashlights bearing the symbol of a marijuana leaf.” Our government’s long maw even reaches abroad to gather information on flights that don’t brush against U.S. airspace.
Ann Harrison, the communications director for a technology firm in Silicon Valley who was among those who obtained their personal files and provided them to The Post, said she was taken aback to see that her dossier contained data on her race and on a European flight that did not begin or end in the United States or connect to a U.S.-bound flight.
By August 29, 2007
; bad credit is now the biggest near-term threat to our nation’s economy, the National Association of Business Economics reported in survey results released Monday. [Associated Press]
US Gov To Compile And Share Database Of Flier Personal Information
By July 28, 2007
According to the Washington Post, the United States and the European Union have agreed to compile and share a database of information on consumers who travel on aircrafts between the two continents.
TSA Confiscates Water Bottle, Misses Bomb
By July 10, 2007
Federal inspectors were able to slip a bomb past the TSA 5 out of 7 times, according to the Albany Times-Union. Here’s the best part: One fake bomb was placed in the same bag as a bottle of water. The TSA opened the bag, took the water, and let the bomb on the plane.
Grandmother Busted By The TSA For Trying To Sneak A Bread Knife Past Security
By June 22, 2007
Cecilia Beaman is a 57-year-old grandmother, a middle school principal and part-time terrorist. She was busted by the TSA for attempting to sneak a 5 1/2 inch bread knife with a rounded tip and a serrated blade onto an airplane.
Man Finds September 11 Security Fee Peculiar
By June 7, 2007
We know we’re the last people to notice this, but while booking some airline tickets we saw a line item for a “September 11 Security Fee.”
6 Muslims Who Were Arrested On A Flight Sue Passengers For Reporting Them As Potential Terrorists
By May 10, 2007
Now the 6 arrested passengers are suing their accusers. Boy, there was sure a whole lot of nasty racism going on that day. It’s hard to figure out who should sue who, isn’t it? Psst, the airline probably has more money. —MEGHANN MARCO
Marketing Campaign For Aqua Teen Hunger Force Summons Bomb Sqaud
By January 31, 2007
The discovery of a series of suspicious objects on bridges, near a medical center, underneath an interstate, and in other crowded public places have set off a wave of bomb scares across Boston, snarling traffic and subways across the city.
Charges Dropped in “Liquid Terror” Plane Plot
By December 19, 2006
A Pakistani judge has dropped charges against the main suspect in a purported terror plot to blow up airlines with half a sports drink bottle full of dangerous liquids. This plot is the reason you now have to fly with a ziplock bag full of tiny toiletries, and the reason we have started to pay attention to the quality of hotel soaps. From BBC News: “Anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi found no evidence that he had been involved in terrorist activities or that he belonged to a terrorist organization. As well as forgery charges, Mr Rauf has also been charged with carrying explosives. But his lawyer says police evidence amounts only to bottles of hydrogen peroxide found in his possession.”
Fake Boarding Pass Creator Goes Free
By November 29, 2006
Cnet is reporting that the creator of the fake NWA boarding pass generator has been freed and all charges dropped due to lack of criminal intent on his part. “They’ve given me back my passports, my computers, and I’ll be getting the rest of my stuff back shortly. Essentially, I’m a free man–with no charges filed,” Christopher Soghoian wrote on his blog Tuesday, talking about the investigation by the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana.
Cleveland Airport Confiscates Passenger’s ‘Dangerous Liquid’ Pies
By November 26, 2006
A Cleveland airport considers pie filling a dangerous liquid, while at JFK the pie loses its incendiary properties. TSA employees seized at least a dozen of the baked goods from travelers.
Newark Airport Screeners Fail To Find Hidden Weapons In Federal Test
By October 30, 2006
Screeners at Newark fail to find ‘weapons’ [The Star Ledger via Mere Rhetoric]
Boarding Pass Dude’s Computers Seized, Public Service Praised
By October 30, 2006
BoingBoing is really your one-stop shop but:
Fake NWA Boarding Pass Site Removed, Creator Visited By FBI
By October 28, 2006
The creator of the NWA Boarding Pass Generator has taken down his site after coming under heavy national scrutiny.
