TSA

(Dive Travel Business News - Sept 8, 2011)  --  On the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, a new TSA video is being played for airline passengers waiting to go through security checkpoints at many U.S. airports. The video appeals to the traveling public's cooperation and patience in response to the continuing threat of terrorists bringing aboard explosives to blow up airliners. 

But travelers are losing patience and confidence in the Transportation Safety Administration's ability to protect them. Passengers don't argue that there remains a potential terrorism threat, but are seriously questioning some of the TSA methods being used to deter terrorists. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - January 27, 2010) --The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will discontinue the color-coded alerts of the Homeland Security Advisory System (HSAS) in favor of a new system, the National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS). For years, the color coded system has been stuck mostly on the “orange” level threat. The new system aims to more effectively communicate information about terrorist threats by providing timely, detailed information to the public, government agencies, first responders, airports and other transportation hubs, and the private sector. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - October 29, 2010) -- It's time to double check ticket reservations.  The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will launch it's Secure Flight Information procedures next week.   As of Nov 1, 2010, ticketing information must have the passenger's name, date of birth and gender that matches their government-issued identification.

The new Secure Flight Information requirements are a means for the TSA to update its Watch List:  The list contains the names of people who are not permitted to fly or are required to have a special screening prior to flying.  Previously airlines had been responsible for checking passenger's names on the watch list, but with errors and mishaps that have frustrated legitimate flyers, the TSA will be taking over this security task. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - November 2, 2010) -- The Transportation Security Administration said it is implementing new pat-down procedures at airport security checkpoints nationwide in the U.S. The TSA called the initiative "one of our many layers of security to keep the traveling public safe," but has so far declined to detail exactly what its new procedures entail.

Television news reports from around the country show TSA agents using the palms of their hands on passengers at the checkpoints. Instead of patting passengers, the agents are firmly sliding their hands along and around the passengers' bodies. The American Civil Liberties Union said the new methods are "now much more invasive." read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - July 7, 2010) -- A couple of airlines are warning travel agents that passenger name records (PNR's) could be cancelled or agencies debited if they fail to properly submit the appropriate data for the U.S. Transportation Security Administration's Secure Flight program, the American Society of Travel Agents alerted members in a dispatch this week.

US Airways warned agents this week that beginning Nov. 1, "ticketed PNRs that do not contain proper Secure Flight data within 72 hours of departure may be cancelled," following an earlier warning from Continental Airlines, which said it could debit agencies for failing to submit Secure Flight data.

The TSA has been collecting Secure Flight data elements, including gender and date of birth, since August of last year, it said beginning Nov. 1, 2010, "TSA has threatened to return all non-compliant records to the airlines for follow-up," regardless of where the booking originated. read more »

(DiveTravelBusinessNews.com -- January 24, 2010) -- Since Northwest Flight 253 was threatened on December 25, 2009 by a passenger carrying explosives, travelers have faced long lines and tougher security rules. Extra bag checks, rigorous identification scrutiny and full body pat-downs are just part of the new measures imposed by the Transportation Security Administration in the US and  at all international airports with flights to the U.S..

According to the TSA, all passengers regardless of age (including minors and unaccompanied minors) will be subject to additional screening if selected at random or if circumstances warrant. Secondary passenger screenings are very likely to include full-body scanners (an extra revealing type of digital imaging), full body pat-downs and manual inspection of all hand carried items. read more »

Air travelers also are being urged to book tickets under their full name as it appears on the government-issued identification they'll be using when they travel. On Thursday, the TSA launched an awareness campaign for its Secure Flight program, in which it will gradually take over from the airlines the task of checking passenger names against government watch lists. The program will be phased in airline by airline, with all carriers participating by early 2010 on domestic flights and by the end of that year on international flights. Later this year, airlines will begin asking customers for their birth date and gender when they reserve. read more »

(May 22, 2009 - DTN) - Travel Weekly - This month, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration officially rolled out the first public phase of its Secure Flight program, which requires domestic airlines to start collecting more precise passenger name identification information.

That, of course, means that travel agents, GDSs, online travel companies and myriad other links in the distribution chain must fall into compliance, though when and how are not really clear.

The TSA says it needs the precise names of passengers to expedite checking travel documents for security screening measures. At the moment, though, it’s all something of a fire drill. There’s no need to worry if names fail to match up exactly on various travel documents, because the TSA isn’t actually checking yet — and it won’t be checking for a while, though no one is really sure how long a while might be. read more »