Airline Post » airport security

Changes in the US Security Flight Program

Abbey — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 07:24:06 +0000

Because of the Secure Flight program, passengers that travel from, within or over the United States will have to abide by a new set of rules from 31 October 2009. The Secure Flight is a program that was developed by the Department of Homeland Security. Such program is considered to be a new safety measure for passengers.

With the help of the program it is possible to see the whole information about passenger against USA Federal Government watch lists. Due to the additional information, the Secure Flight program will be able to prevent misidentification of passengers that have similar names to individuals on the watch list

According to new rules, all international airline companies will have to make a request and get Secure Flight Passenger Data and then send it to the USA’s Transportation Security Administration, i.e. division of the DHS.

It means that many airlines, among them Qantas, Jetstar will have to contact travel agents in order to get and send some kind of information to the TSA via the agent’s GDS. Such information includes full name as it is written in the travel document of the passenger, date of birth, gender and redress number (if applicable). According to the rules the agent will have to get the full information about passengers and then file it into the PNR during the booking time. Then TSA will match it against no fly and watch lists.

One should say that providing such information is very beneficial for passengers as it may prevent delays or inconveniences at the airport especially for those, who have similar names and those, who are on the watch lists.

It is possible to find extra information related to GDS commands on the Qantas Industry Sales Site at qantas.com/agents under the category of training.

Major loophole identified in airport security

Stewart — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:51:39 +0000

We all know that the Airport security officer became much more suspicious with anyone trying to board on a flight, after the unfortunate September 11th events. Some of us even became subjects of an additional control when less expected. However, there is one way to avoid these rigorous, yet standard rules: travelers that seem to be teenagers are allowed to pass the security control just by holding a valid boarding pass and without presenting a photo ID.

The latest incident took place on O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, on October 3rd. It is then when Dakota M. Davis, a 14-years-old boy passed the security checkpoint using a boarding pass issued on his mother’s name – Virginia Davis. Dakota has an autism-related disorder, called Asperger’s syndrome, and memorized his mother credit card number, which he used to rent a limousine, get to the airport and buy an airplane ticket. The police finally tracked him down and the boy was returned to his mother, but the question remains – what would have happened if the one getting behind the security line was not an innocent boy?

This is not the only incident. In April, another 13-years-old from Florida, with autism, stole his dad’s car and credit card and bought a flight to California. The security officers didn’t mind then to check if the boy has a passport, driver’s license or any other photo ID. In 2007, even a 9-year-old managed to sneak on two flights in Seattle and Phoenix, before being caught.

Despite these loopholes, representatives of the Transportation Security Administration say that although these children managed to pass the security checkpoints without being indentified, any passenger is carefully screened through multiple layers of security.

EU to allow liquids in carry-on bags

Dave — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:56:01 +0000

European Union spokesman said on Friday that the ban on liquids in carry-on luggage will be allowed when new screening technology is introduced. The ban was scheduled to be lifted in April but this won’t be possible since technology to check for liquid explosives is not widely available, said EU Transport Commissioner Antonio Tajani. According to him, the rule should be lifted in 2014.

Officials are also trying push technology companies to create solutions for airport security that are faster and more affordable. Currently, passengers traveling in, out or around EU are only allowed to carry liquids if they are in containers no larger than 100 milliliters (3.4 oz) and sealed in a transparent bag; there are no liquids allowed in carry-on bags.

The ban of liquids in carry-on bags were created 3 years ago, when the British security revealed a terrorist plan to blow up several aircraft by smuggling ingredients for liquid explosives in soft drink cans. Passengers are forbidden to carry wine or perfume bottles on board, except if they’re bought from the duty-free shop and sealed.

“We are very resolved to get rid of these very awkward and uncomfortable screening operations,” Tajani told reporters after talks with transport ministers from the EU’s 27 nations. “We will try to make travel a more comfortable business. At the moment it’s uncomfortable. We won’t do it overnight because we don’t yet have the equipment to replace manual screening”