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Tagged With "Security"

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Re: TSA, American testing automated security screens

DrFumblefinger ·
This sounds like a nice idea. A modernization of a tedious process. Hope it works!
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Re: TSA strands 450 overnight: could it get worse?

DrFumblefinger ·
What a mess. The very agency that is to protect citizens from terrorist activity is creating an environment wherein "tent communities" are springing up at America's airports. How embarrassing is that. Talk about a target rich environment for the bad guys. The TSA's funding, even with "cuts", is about US$ 7.3 billion for 2016. In contrast, Canada, which has 1/10th the population of the USA, has an airport screening budget of about CDN $0.56 billion, and Transport Canada acknowledges it has...
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Re: TSA strands 450 overnight: could it get worse?

GarryRF ·
Most countries around the world exchange ideas and processes to fulfil the common good. But some countries refuse to enter into a dialogue and share ideas. Russia is another one.
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Re: TSA strands 450 overnight: could it get worse?

Paul Heymont ·
To be fair to the TSA (which I find hard to do), the $7.3 billion is not all for screening, only about half is. That said, while airports are looking to outsource the screening, maybe they should hire Transport Canada! As for the PreCheck point: TSA can't seem to make up its mind. When it started, they semi-randomly selected 'extra' people to go through it, on the theory that they would like it enough to buy it—and some did, but not enough. Then the people who had paid for it started to...
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Re: TSA strands 450 overnight: could it get worse?

Travel Rob ·
The few US airports that have private security companies handling the screening are reporting good results and I think that's a good option for the airports. My guess is for liability reasons, airports are scared to dump the TSA. After seeing the comments by DrFumblinger and PHeymont, I do think we can learn from Canada on this. I did a little more reading on Canada's airport security. It seems all major airports in Canada have private screening. The airports give out three year contracts.
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Re: Is bad PreCheck planning responsible for TSA delays?

Travel Rob ·
I don't like the whole concept of PreCheck because when they started this added security at airports, they insisted terrorists could be anyone and that's why we need to check everyone. We enter trains, buses and metros without a PreCheck, and it doesn't take forever. There is a history of attacks on those means of transportation too. And now attacks could just as easily happen at the ticket counter at the airport as on the plane.
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Re: Managing Your Money on the Road

Travel Rob ·
This is a great compehensive post. Time to try and cash the money order that you've been holding! LOL
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Re: Flood of new agents to speed up Customs at JFK and Newark

DrFumblefinger ·
About time. I routinely fly in and out of Calgary International and have never had to wait more than 15 mins for customs/immigration (both US and Canadian customs located at this airport). That should be the standard they strive for everywhere.
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Re: Flood of new agents to speed up Customs at JFK and Newark

GarryRF ·
The hold up in NY is that passengers - mostly just changing flights - have to enter the US. Then leave the US before getting an onward flight to other parts of the world. In non-US countries you can enter the International Lounge to wait for your next flight with no customs or visas. Just onward boarding card and passport. Quick and easy.
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Re: Flood of new agents to speed up Customs at JFK and Newark

DrFumblefinger ·
it's nice when the countries treat their transit people that way, GarryRF. Someone passing through. But I've had long delays with transit situations in the UK, Japan and most recently in Chile. It's unfortunately common.
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Re: Flood of new agents to speed up Customs at JFK and Newark

PortMoresby ·
In transit once at Narita, our entire onward-traveling load of passengers was left locked standing in a narrow windowless hallway, not knowing why we were there or how long it might be. Treating passengers badly is not a behavior owned by any particular nation's immigration officers, as you say, DrF. It can happen even in countries supposedly known for their politeness.
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Re: Flood of new agents to speed up Customs at JFK and Newark

GarryRF ·
You're both right of course. No one has the moral high ground on delays. When you transit an airport with several terminals you do need to enter the country first. But hub airports like Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Bahrain have all been so polite and helpful it makes you realise that there is a better way. I use Philadelphia airport now to enter the US. It rates alongside Orlando as a pleasant experience. Last year I went through passport control in Philly. When asked, I told the officer that...
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Is Airport-Style Security Coming to Museums?

Travel Rob ·
The  terrorist attack that killed 20 foreign tourists in Tunis at the Bardo Museum  has already resulted in Costa Cruises and MSC Cruises cancelling Tunisa as a stop .   ABC  news has said extra police have already been assigned to...
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She believes she can fly...no ticket needed!

Paul Heymont ·
Marilyn Hartman seems to have a need to fly, and no intention of bothering with mundane issues such as tickets or security. The 63-year-old California woman has a long history as a serial stowaway, and a number of arrests while trying. Considering how...
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More Train Security Coming to Europe

Travel Rob ·
A week after 3 Americans citizens, a French Citizen, and a British citizen stopped a terrorist attack on a train from Amsterdam to Paris, an emergency security meeting about rail passenger safety took place on Saturday in Paris. The meeting was...
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In 2016, TSA may not take some states' driver's licenses at airports

Travel Rob ·
The REAL ID Act was passed in 2005 and it requires certain security features to be on Drivers Licenses. The Department of Homeland Security announced a plan of enforcement two years ago. And in 2016, the agency will start enforcing...
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Managing Your Money on the Road

Paul Heymont ·
 If you’ve never seen a travelers’ check and maybe don’t even know what it is, you’re like most overseas travelers these days. Going abroad no longer means planning to carry wads of cash, or trekking off to American...
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TSA: Keep your phone charged, we may make you turn it on!

Paul Heymont ·
New security measures for U.S.-bound flights are looking for possible hidden non-metallic explosives. One concern is the possibility that explosives could be placed in a hollowed-out phone, laptop, etc. and set to detonate when the device is turned...
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Security upped for Munich Oktoberfest

Paul Heymont ·
Munich's big festival of beer and bratwurst is getting addtional security measures this year after terror incidents in European cities.
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More security for Europe's river cruises

Paul Heymont ·
In light of recent events, security is being tightened along the routes of Europe's river cruise ships.
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Those TSA lines: in most cities, they've shrunk

Paul Heymont ·
Those long TSA lines of a few months ago are largely gone, but some of the solutions may not be permanent.
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France adds 'sky marshals' to trains

Paul Heymont ·
France is ramping up security measures on its rail network, including on-train guards and more scanning.
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Threats may cancel summer events in France

Paul Heymont ·
French authorities have asked local towns and villages to cancel summer events if there is not enough security available.
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Progress in clearing TSA logjam

Paul Heymont ·
Added agents and overtime have helped bring down the long security lines that last month stretched to hours and stranded travelers.
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TSA, American testing automated security screens

Paul Heymont ·
TSA and American Airlines are teaming up to try out high-tech automated security lanes to speed up getting through airports.
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Starwood Hotels: your phone can be your key

Paul Heymont ·
Starwood expands its keyless-entry app to more hotels for faster check-in and easier access.
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Flood of new agents to speed up Customs at JFK and Newark

Paul Heymont ·
Good news for those of us who visit the U.S. or come home to New York area airports, which have had some of the worst customs delays for arriving passengers (a high of THREE HOURS last August 24!). Homeland Security has begun hiring 300 more Customs...
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Is bad PreCheck planning responsible for TSA delays?

Paul Heymont ·
A veteran travel editor argues that the 90-minute+ security lines growing at airports stem in part from TSA's mishandling of its PreCheck program.
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EU airlines to collect more passenger security data

Paul Heymont ·
As a security measure, European airlines will now be required to collect and share more passenger information, matching U.S. and Canada.
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UK Airports find yet another fee to charge

Paul Heymont ·
The airlines have their bag fees, change fees, seat fees, and so forth. The government has its taxes of various kinds and security fees and airport improvement fees. So what's left for a poor airport to do? Well, some of Britain's airports are now...
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TSA: More delays, more complaints, some hope

Paul Heymont ·
TSA lines are getting very long again at many airports, with passengers told to allow 3 hours at some. At Atlanta, the solution is part of the problem.
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TSA strands 450 overnight: could it get worse?

Paul Heymont ·
The ongoing crisis of short staffing and long lines has now led to 450 American Airlines passengers missing evening flights at Chicago O'Hare.
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Check those light-sabers: Disney bars weapons and costumes

Paul Heymont ·
Walt Disney World is setting up metal detectors after the recent arrest of a man trying to bring a gun into the Magic Kingdom, and has announced new rules banning not only weapons, but also costumes for anyone over 14 years old. The metal detectors, already in use at a number of other U.S. theme parks, including Six Flags, are expected to be copied shortly by Universal, Sea World and others. Visitors will be randomly selected for screening. In addition to banning costumes for teens and...
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Atlanta tells TSA 'shape up or ship out'

Paul Heymont ·
Atlanta's busy airport, upset over long security delays, threatens to replace TSA screeners with private contractors.
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Re: Is Airport-Style Security Coming to Museums?

Travel Rob ·
This attack really was horrible and I feel for the families. I don't know how we can totally avoid that very small risk of an attack at a public place .Some changes can be made, but I hope fear doesn't change museums into what we've made airports. At major museums, I can see them being able to handle some changes. What concerns me is some of the smaller museums that don't have the budgets for security, x-ray machines and storage lockers. Will they make rules for no bags at all? I know at...
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Re: TSA: More delays, more complaints, some hope

Travel Rob ·
I was in the Atlanta airport in October and the TSA line was a mess then. I think the very fact that they have crowds before people go through security make the airports far less secure.
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Re: TSA: More delays, more complaints, some hope

GarryRF ·
The overcrowding of US Airports is easily solved. Drag the minds of those who make decisions into the 21st Century. - Better late than never. If you're only making an international connection in the US - you stay in the International Departures Lounge until your onward flight is boarding. The rest of the world has been doing it for decades. And one other thing. Stop confusing making travel safe with just insulting people who are not Americans. You've had long enough to get your act together.
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Re: TSA: More delays, more complaints, some hope

DrFumblefinger ·
The TSA currently charges $5.60 US for a one way trip originating in the USA, up to a max of $11.20 a trip. Given the actual time you are "serviced" by the TSA, that seems more than adequate to fund the screening process. Two problems as I see it. 1) Likely not all of this money goes to the TSA. The federal government is notorious at shifting designated monies to its pet projects, so I expect TSA money is going elsewhere. 2) The TSA tolerates terrible behavior from its employees. Many TSA...
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Re: TSA: More delays, more complaints, some hope

Paul Heymont ·
Thursday afternoon update: Congress has just approved shifting funds to immediately hire 768 more screeners and to use overtime to speed up lines.
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Re: TSA: More delays, more complaints, some hope

GarryRF ·
Maybe its time to start profiling. Mom, Dad and the kids aren't a risk. Old people with walking difficulties. Same. I prefer the interview I had in the check-in line before leaving the UK. "Where is your destination in the US - Have you been before - where's the nearest Pub can you walk to - how many pubs are there - name them - what's your occupation - qualifications - name a typical job you'd do ? " And while you talk some guy is watching you closely. Whether he checks your info on his...
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Re: TSA: More delays, more complaints, some hope

Paul Heymont ·
Ah, I think I see the purpose of that interview: weed out any Temperance campaigners!
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Re: TSA: More delays, more complaints, some hope

Paul Heymont ·
I think Karl has hit on a key point in his TSA comments: behavior. Long bureaucratic lines can bring out the worst in us, both on the line and running it...but the better the attitude of those running it, the fewer incidents of any kind will happen. Some of my experience of that has been as a high school assistant principal in schools where the city mandated scanning at the entrances. When the right tone is set by supervisors, the friction level is lower, and even though there is resentment...
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Re: In 2016, TSA may not take some states' driver's licenses at airports

Travel Rob ·
To me the thought of some Americans not be able to fly domestically because they have 'the wrong' drivers license is unacceptable. I can't see how this has anything to do with safety and real people will be unable to get to a loved one with an illness or death in their family just because they didn't know about 'the right' ID.
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Re: Threats may cancel summer events in France

GarryRF ·
When you start to cancel events that are important to the community then the terrorist has succeeded. When the UK was being bombed for 25 years by the IRA it was important that life continued as normal. We would not allow it to destroy our way of life.
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Don't Panic! How to Save Time at the Airport

Samantha ·
Don’t panic navigating through an airport you may not be familiar with. Samantha shares some tips and suggestions to hopefully make the process less painful.
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