Re: TSA mission creep now policy

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Richard Forno <rforno () infowarrior org>
Date: November 10, 2009 8:28:53 AM EST
To: dave () farber net
Subject: Re: [IP] Re: TSA mission creep now policy


When this TSA 'capability' was announced years ago, nobody I know of in the physical security / counterterrorism / 
special operations world thought it would be as effective as the Israelis.

The "behaviour analysis" so often cited that works for airlines like El Al (and where this idea comes from, apparently) 
results from the fact that many of the airline representatives at checkin and security come from former intelligence 
and security service.  They have been trained on behavioural analysis and interrogation for YEARS in their careers, and 
not just based on some "top ten signs you might be a terrorist" list that's reinforced by 4 days of training and 
orientation.  At check-in, they know what questions to ask and how to 'guide' a conversation to get a good 'feel' for 
the person to see if they're lying or if things they say don't add up.   It's not based purely on physical 
actions/attributes!

That said, I can't wait for this scenario to pan out -- Overworked and highly stressed business traveller is late for 
flight and sprints from car rental point to checkin to what turns out to be a LONG security line.  He's worked up quite 
a sweat, literally.   Now he's on the line, sweating, nervous about getting through and making his flight on time, and 
constantly looking at his watch and ticket.  Plus he's got nothing else to do so he starts to look around the 
checkpoint to occupy his mind until he gets gate-raped at the magnetometer.    I'm sure TSA would see him and assume 
(rightly) that he's got something on his mind.  They confront him.  He gets upset and angry because he was almost about 
to get through security, catch his flight, and restore order to his day.  You can figure out how that scenario ends up. 
 :(

Yes, such a capability CAN work ... if done correctly and with the right people and after serious training and 
experience already behind them.  Meaning, as with much of TSA's other expanded airport security policies and 
procedures, anything short of that results into nothing more than expanded security theater.   :(

-rf

On Nov 10, 2009, at 06:03 , David Farber wrote:

> Begin forwarded message:
>
> From: Daniel Haley <Daniel.Haley () pobox com>
> Date: November 10, 2009 3:50:54 AM EST
> To: dave () farber net
> Subject: Re: [IP] TSA mission creep now policy
>
> Even if behavioral screening works, I am disturbed by the way this is being implemented. According to the Post 
> article:
>
>       "Officers undergo four days of behavior training ... and then receive 24 hours of on-the-job preparation."
>
> It seems to me that any successful behavioral targeting would take longer to learn than two weekend courses.  It 
> fact, that notion is a joke.  This is just more security theatre that will end up distressing normal passengers.
>
>
>
>
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