Travel

What do the new TSA rules mean? [update-1]

scott_mcmurren_logo_2.18.09

If you haven't heard the news, a suspected terrorist attempted to blow up a Northwest Airlines jet on final approach into Detroit on Christmas Day.

That's bad news for travelers. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has issued some new directives, most of which apply to international flights inbound to the U.S. Some of the highlights include:

1. Thorough pat-downs of all passengers at the boarding gate, concentrating on upper legs and torso.
2. Inspection of carry-on luggage at the gate.
3. One hour prior to arrival in the U.S., travelers must remain in their seats.
4. One hour prior to landing, travelers may not access their carry-on luggage.
5. One hour prior to landing, travelers may not have anything in their laps. No pillows or blankets are permitted, either.

These new regulations are in addition to the standard security measures for travelers, including the initial security screening at check-in.

Travelers originating in Canada will only be allowed one carry-on bag. Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air will waive baggage fees for items that otherwise would be carry-ons.

Officials familiar with the security procedures at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport said passengers can expect more hand-carry searches at the gate -- and bomb-sniffing dogs in the terminal. However, none of the new security measures are directed toward flights that operate wholly within the U.S. Yet.

So far, the TSA has been mum on details, saying that security implementation may vary from airport to airport.

Of course, these new regulations beg the question: "What's so magic about one hour prior to landing?" As usual, though, the TSA marches to its own drummer, and travelers, for the most part, must follow in lockstep or risk ending up on the "no fly" list.

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The good news is these new security regulations are temporary, just through Dec. 30, 2009.

The bad news is this botched job to blow up an airliner appears to be a real attempted terrorist act. And that means that, in spite of the TSA's best efforts, individuals bent on self-destruction will find their way onto planes. In this case, fast action by other passengers and crew members helped minimize the damage to the aircraft.

The fallout for travelers is that the TSA continues its mission by treating all of us like criminals. There is precious little common sense utilized by the TSA or the federal screeners themselves -- which makes the agency the biggest joke in the entire travel industry. All of their data-mining efforts to track Americans in their travels adds up to a giant secret database of personal, confidential information. Contrary to what the TSA professes, this information, nicely collated, represents a new insidious threat: the government spying on its own citizens. Never mind the increased odds of identity theft. Do you want your personal information guarded by the TSA?

Bruce Schneier is a security expert who watches the TSA with mild amusement. "Only two things have made flying safer since 9/11: the reinforcement of cockpit doors and the fact that passengers know now to resist hijackers. This week, the second one worked over Detroit," he said.

Whether you're traveling domestically or internationally, you're wise to allocate more time to waste at the airport prior to your flight.

[Update-1, 12/29, 7:16 am AKDT]:

According to Christopher Elliott's blog this morning (http://www.elliott.org), TSA's "silly rules" have been lifted on inbound international flights.

- Disabling IFE, wireless internet and moving maps is no longer required.

- Passengers are no longer required to remain seated within one hour of landing at a US airport when leaving an airport outside the US.

- Passengers are now able to have blankets or pillows on their laps, and they can access their carry-on luggage inflight in the last hour.

Online resources:

TSA's official site: See what they're saying about the Northwest Airlines incident in Detroit. www.tsa.gov

Christopher Elliott: Chris covers consumer travel issues--and he's been at the forefront in providing timely updates on what to expect in-flight and at the airport. www.elliott.org

Bruce Schneier: The head of British Telecom's security, Schneier also presents on security-related issues throughout the world. www.schneier.com/blog

Scott McMurren is an Anchorage-based travel marketing consultant who has lived in Alaska for three decades, spending much of that time traveling the far-flung corners of the state. Visit his website at www.alaskatravelgram.com.

Scott McMurren

Scott McMurren is an Anchorage-based marketing consultant, serving clients in the transportation, hospitality, media and specialty destination sectors, among others. Contact him by email at zoom907@me.com. Subscribe to his e-newsletter at alaskatravelgram.com. For more information, visit alaskatravelgram.com/about.

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