October 7, 2011
TSA’s new “trusted traveler” program, known as PreCheck, went into effect a few days ago. From the press release, “Eligible passengers may be referred to a lane where they will experience expedited screening.” This pilot program is the long overdue beginning of risk-based traveler assessment. Not surprising, there are many limitations to gain entry into this trial program:
- It is only available to American Airlines and Delta Airlines passengers.
- It is only limited to a few airport hubs (Dallas and Miami for American, Atlanta and Detroit for Delta).
- And only some frequent fliers qualify.
TSA also built in some safeguards. They may at any time change their policy and make this separate line just like all the others. In addition, they do not guarantee that merely because of enrollment in this program that passengers will receive expedited service every time. At some point, I expect them to test this by denying access on a periodic basis. How frequently this occurs will likely determine the program’s success or failure.
I had the opportunity to try out PreCheck last week. Embedded information in the boarding pass barcode directs travelers to an expedited line. Anything metal like change or cellphones are either placed in a carry-on bag or one of the small buckets. Everything else – liquids, shoes, belts, coats, and laptops – remain in the carry-on bag or on your person. It was simply a matter of dropping my carry-on bag on the conveyor belt and walking through the metal detector. Total time to get through the expedited line: less than 60 seconds.
Needless to say, this is a dream for frequent travelers. It was such a pleasant experience that I thought about exiting the security area and going through the line again!
Some frequent travelers I spoke to expressed apprehension, reminding me that one bad apple could ruin this for the lot of us. We would all still walk through security with our shoes on if it weren’t for Richard Reid.
While other passengers may resent this “special” treatment granted to a select few, there is a benefit for them, as well. Moving frequent travelers to expedited lines means shorter lines for everyone else. When this program is successful (crossing my fingers), it will expand to more airports and shorten security lines for even more travelers.
Here’s hoping that the TSA’s new PreCheck program really takes off!
To receive a free copy of our ebook, 70 Secrets to Safe Travel — Because Your Life Can Change in a Heartbeat, and for more travel savvy info to help you travel smarter, safer and with more enjoyment, visit SmartWomenTravelers.com and PearlsofTravelWisdom.com. Watch for my new book, Business Travel Success – How to Reduce Stress, Be More Productive and Travel with Confidence, being published by Morgan James in 2011.
Posted by Carol Margolis under Current Affairs, Safety, Travel |
August 9, 2011
This morning at Orlando International Airport TSA gave me the finger — that come hither finger (no, not that other finger signal!) signaling that I was selected to go through the Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) unit (aka the “full-body scanner”). Since these machines have been put into operation, I have gone through them numerous times, with a miniscule fear that the radiation emitted would pose a health risk. To me, this was preferable to the full body pat-down alternative.
Back in March, USA Today reported that the TSA would be re-testing airport body scanners for radiation after they found maintenance records for some of the machines showed radiation levels ten times higher than expected. TSA said these records reflected math mistakes and that the machines passed all inspections. My miniscule fear grew. I’ve since tried to avert these machines by using lanes that have a regular x-ray machine (much less radiation here, right? Please say yes!).
Then today I read this article on Radiation Overdose at the Airport reporting that “A large number of workers have been falling victim to cancer, strokes and heart disease.” This got my fear ball growing.
Just how far does this radiation reach? Could people standing in the nearby x-ray lane, just a few feet away, be affected by this radiation, as well? What is the cumulative impact of going through (and standing near) these machines? Add to that the radiation we’re exposed to by flying on a plane and then what does the impact of radiation look like?
While I await scientific answers to the above, I’ll be more attentive to what security lane I enter. I’ll be looking for a lane where the full body scanner isn’t in operation and thus will get the regular x-ray lane by default. If a regular x-ray machine is abutting a full-body scanner lane, I’ll head to the x-ray lane and keep my conversation to myself.
I think what got me the ‘come hither finger’ today was that I said a friendly Good Morning to the TSA Agent standing at the entrance of the full body scanner. When our eyes met, ‘the finger’ came next!
Here’s a recap of your options to avoid the full body scanner:
- Opt out of the scanner and submit to a full body pat-down;
- Be vigilant in getting into security lanes with the old-style x-ray machines;
- Avoid flying and instead take a car, a bus, a train, a boat, or charter a private plane
And watch out for the ‘come hither finger!’
To receive a free copy of our ebook, 70 Secrets to Safe Travel — Because Your Life Can Change in a Heartbeat, and for more travel savvy info to help you travel smarter, safer and with more enjoyment, visit SmartWomenTravelers.com and PearlsofTravelWisdom.com.
Posted by Carol Margolis under Health, Travel |
June 9, 2011
For the past ten years, Airport security hasn’t changed that much. Sure, the restrictions have become more severe and the screening process more invasive, but really, it’s still the same system. You put your bags through the X-Ray machine, and you walk through the metal detector, maybe getting a more personal inspection from a TSA agent. Recently, the government agency has introduced their Advanced Imaging Technology scanners, but it’s just another step in the same old process.
What if we got rid of the current system all together? What if you didn’t have to take off your shoes, take out your laptop, or remove your jacket? And what if this system was not only faster than our current checkpoints, but also cheaper?!?!
Well the International Air Transport Association turned “What if?” into “Why not?” They just unveiled their concept for the Checkpoint of the future, using biometrics and advanced scanners to simplify and speed up the checkpoint process.
Check out the video below to see how it works (the video has no sound).
Read more of this article »
Posted by Carol Margolis under Safety, Travel, Web/Tech |
March 22, 2011
Let’s hope the answer to this question is Yes! According to an article in the New American, TSA Will Now Scan Your Shoes at the Airport. Don’t get excited if your next trip through airport security is tomorrow, next week or maybe not even next year. The Transportation Security Administration is only in the initial stages of seeking proposals from companies who can manufacture a Shoe Scanning Device (SSD). But hey, it’s definitely a step in the right direction!
And if we travelers have our wish list of requirements for these SSD’s, they would be:
Posted by Carol Margolis under Random Thoughts, Safety, Travel |
October 19, 2010
I was randomly picked to go through a full body scanner at Chicago’s O’Hare airport today. This is my first visit to a controversial “what is security really seeing?” machine.
I never had one iota of a thought of what the security people were seeing on their cameras. My only thought during the experience was how lucky I happened to be to have full body scanner-appropriate clothes on! And as I walked away from the machine, all I could think of what how my wardrobe on travel days is now going to have even more planning around it.
Read more of this article »
Posted by Carol Margolis under Random Thoughts |
March 2, 2010
I loved the movie Up in the Air. George Clooney made business travel look so easy – maybe even glamorous – whisking through airports; arriving at his hotel with no check-in lines as the scene simply cuts to him relaxing in a hotel room.
Great movie but it was far from reality. Don’t get me wrong, I love traveling, but it is hardly easy. What are the downsides to traveling every week? Let me count the ways … Read more of this article »
Posted by Carol Margolis under Hotel Living, Relationships, Television & Movies, Travel |
