While we’ve heard about plenty of thieving airport workers in the past, rifling through luggage and picking up money and merchandise as they go, officials at Boston’s Logan International Airport arrested five airline employees for a different kind of luggage crime — smuggling cash in bags as part of an alleged money laundering operation. [More]
airport security
5 Airline Employees Accused Of Smuggling Cash Through Boston Airport In Money Laundering Sting
By 5.30.14
The TSA’s ‘Randomizer’ Explains Why Some People Fly Through Airport Security While You Wait
By 5.9.14
Earlier this year, I wrote about a somewhat confusing (albeit pleasant) experience I’d had at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, where I and a number of other travelers were put through the TSA’s expedited PreCheck line — meaning no removal of shoes, belts or jackets — in spite of not being enrolled in the PreCheck program. At the time, the TSA didn’t offer too much insight into why this had happened, but a new report sheds some more light on the topic. [More]
The TSA Now Has A Nice Six-Point Throwing Star With Folding Blades In Its Collection
By 5.6.14
Of course there’s the occasional time you forget that nice set of kitchen knives is in your carry-on, or you didn’t realize that all-purpose razor fell into the bag. But wouldn’t you probably remember not to pack your six-point throwing star with folding blades? It’s just that kind of apparent forgetfulness that has given the Transportation Security Administration a new ninja weapon. [More]
TSA Wants Armed Police Stationed At Airport Checkpoints As Part Of New Security Measures
By 3.27.14
After a gunman opened fire at one of Los Angeles International Airport’s security checkpoints last November, the Transportation Security Administration has been weighing its security measures to find where the system can be improved. A new report from the agency recommends beefing up police presence with armed officers at airport checkpoints, as well as increased training across the board. [More]
Homeland Security Warns Airlines Of Possible New Threats From Shoe Bombs
By 2.20.14
Loosen those laces and get ready to slip off your sandals: Travelers flying into the United States will likely find their footwear under closer scrutiny after the Department of Homeland Security warned airlines about a possible new shoe-bomb threat. [More]
Alec Baldwin Backtracks After Mistakenly Ripping TSA Over Pat-Down Of Baby Daughter
By 1.29.14
No one likes getting a pat-down at the airport (okay, maybe some of you do), but if you’re going to publicly vent about the horrors of airport security online, you should probably remember what country you’re in so that your fury is directed to the right agency. [More]
The Evolution Of Airport Security: From Carry-On Dynamite To No Liquids Allowed
By 1.24.14
Airports can be one of the most frustrating places in the world to spend an afternoon. Getting to the airport two hours early, waiting in security lines, taking off your shoes, walking through space-age like metal detectors, it can all be a huge hassle. But it wasn’t always that way. Before the days of 3.4-ounce liquids and random screenings, airport security was pretty simple. [More]
TSA Just Decides Everyone In My Line Is Qualified For Expedited Screening
By 1.13.14
Usually when we write about gripes with the Transportation Security Administration, it’s that the TSA is being too nosy and touchy-feely at airport security checkpoints, but what about when it just decides that two entire lines of travelers don’t need the full screening and deserve the same expedited screening as the pre-vetted travelers in the TSA PreCheck program? [More]
The TSA Kids Website Is Gloriously Hilarious (And A Bit Scary)
By 12.23.13
Whether it’s removing a family from a flight because their 18-month-old is on a “no-fly” list, demanding that a 4-year-old get a pat-down because she hugged her grandmother, patting down an infant, evacuating a terminal because one parent passes a baby to the other without receiving a secondary screening, or screaming at the parents of a child with cerebral palsy, the TSA has shown time and again that it has a masterful touch when dealing with young children. That unique sensibility is definitely on display at the agency’s new site dedicated to educating children about security theater. [More]
Did An Airport Employee Place Dry Ice Bombs At LAX?
By 10.15.13
Police in Los Angeles say that the dry ice bombs found in supposedly secure areas of Los Angeles International Airport earlier this week may have been set by a disgruntled employee, though the exact reason for placing the devices is still unclear. [More]
TSA Misconduct Cases On The Rise; Agency Not Following Up On All Complaints
By 7.30.13
In theory, the Transportation Security Administration is supposed to be a last line of defense against terrorists and other folks who want to do bad things on airplanes. With so many lives on the line, employee misconduct of any kind can’t really be tolerated, but the last few years have seen an increase in bad behavior by TSA staffers. [More]
TSA Making It (A Bit) Easier To Enroll In Expedited Security Screening Program
By 7.19.13
We’ve been writing for quite some time about the Transportation Security Administration’s PreCheck (or as the TSA obnoxiously insists on writing, “Pre✓™”) program, which allows vetted travelers to go through an airport security screening process. To enroll, consumers need to be a member of certain airlines’ frequent flier programs or already part of other trusted-traveler services, but starting this fall, the TSA will open up online enrollment in PreCheck… with one major catch. [More]
The TSA’s Solution For My Reluctance To Open Baby Food Jars? A Pat-Down
By 6.19.13
While we’re not fans of hands-on pat-downs from security, we understand that they exist as an alternative or a supplement to being screened at a scanner. But one Consumerist reader wants to know why a pat-down would be viewed as a way to ensure that he’s not carrying explosive materials in baby food jars. [More]
TSA Replaces Backscatter Airport Scanners With Technology That Won’t Show Your Private Bits
By 5.31.13
We’ve come a long way, baby, and it seems the days of worrying over whether or not Transportation Security Administration agents were snickering at your nude image on an airport scanner are over. The backscatter scanners are gone — so now we can get back to worrying about what kind of funk we’re picking up in our socked feet during the security line walk instead. [More]
Airports Say More Travelers Are Faking Need For Wheelchairs Just To Get Through Lines Faster
By 5.30.13
The law requires that airlines provide free wheelchair assistance to anyone who requests it; no documentation or evidence of injury required. And a growing number of unscrupulous travelers are taking advantage of this system, faking injuries and disabilities to get preferential treatment at security checkpoints and at the gate. [More]
Air Marshals & Flight Attendants Not So Happy With This “Knives Are Okay On Planes Now” Thing
By 3.6.13
Yesterday the Transportation Security Administration announced that it was tweaking the rules regarding small pocketknives, carry-on golf clubs and other sporting equipment. While travelers sick of losing their Swiss Army knives and other little blades rejoiced over the decision, groups representing Federal Air Marashals and flight attendants are all like, “Wait, hold up — knives on planes? Really?” [More]
TSA To Relax Restrictions On Pocketknives, Sporting Goods
By 3.5.13
More than a decade after enacting strict prohibitions on carrying knives on U.S. flights, Transportation Security Administration head John Pistole says the agency will begin allowing smaller pocketknives and limited carry-on of golf clubs and other sporting equipment. (via Bloomberg) [More]
Standing In A Long Line At The Airport Right Now? You Can Maybe Blame Sequestration
By 3.4.13
The Department of Transportation issued a foreboding warning about the effects of across-the-board government spending cuts if sequestration went into effect on March 1, which it did. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano is already warning travelers of delays, but if you’re currently standing in a long line at airport security, this isn’t news to you. [More]
