REAL ID

That is REAL ID, and not that quasi official stuff you got in your wallet or hand bag.

In less than a year, you are going to need a REAL ID to fly domestically.

Beginning October 1, 2020, every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, state-issued enhanced driver’s license, or another acceptable form of ID to fly within the United States.

To see the panic clock, visit TSA.

And yes, even if you have TSA Pre✓®, you’ll still need a REAL ID or other acceptable form of ID starting Oct. 1 ,2020.

Papers, show me your papers!  Otherwise a Passport!

Airport security screener absences

Traveled this past holiday weekend.  Was it slower to get through security, I mean slower than the normal slow?

"The TSA said unscheduled absences on Saturday reached 10 percent of its 51,000 officers, compared with 3 percent a year ago."  CNBC.

Can you blame 'em sine they are not getting paid?

Oh yeah, this is not a vacation!

TSA Confiscated Items

Just do a "google" search for images, to see the crazy things people try to bring on an airplane.

and you are complaining about a pair of nail clippers?

Record Travel this weekend?

Well AAA says so.  "AAA projects more than 38 million Americans will travel this Memorial Day weekend. That is the second-highest Memorial Day travel volume on record and the most since 2005. Spurred by the lowest gas prices in more than a decade, about 700,000 more people will travel compared to last year. The Memorial Day holiday travel period is defined as Thursday, May 26 to Monday, May 30. "

And if you are flying get to the airport today so you can get through TSA Security.  CNN reports heavy air travel. Especially as the number of TSA staff reduce while air travelers increase.

Or you can stay home and enjoy a BBQ!

TSA: X-Ray Scanners To Be Removed

Well, I blogged about this back in 2010.  My student response was 2 for it and 1 against.  A generation of citizens have grown up with War, Terrorists, and no music on MTV.  What is wrong with the picture?

Well the TSA will be removing those x-ray scanners from airports because of a loss of privacy.  I expect a secure flight, but the whole travel experience has certainly changed over the past decade.

For details from TSA, see the page.  You can also see that TSA is privitizing security at airports and we know from jails and schools how good that will be.

National Opt Out Day

Wow, how'd they get my picture on http://www.optoutday.com/? Actually the phot is of a person with more hair ... on the head that is.

Travelling by air on Wednesday 24 Nov 2010? In the United States?

Good luck. Better be prepare to wait. Get to the airport 4 hours before domestic flights and the day before if you are visiting family and friends overseas.

The details from the website:

"National Opt-Out Day. You have the right to opt-out of the naked body scanner machines (AIT, or Advance Imaging Technology, as the government calls it). All you have to do is say "I opt out" when they tell you to go through one of the machines. You will then be given an "enhanced" pat down. This is a right given to you by the TSA. There is no intent or desire to delay passengers en route to friends and family over Thanksgiving. People also need to remember to stay within the confines of the law and the regulations of TSA when exercising their right to a pat down. Passengers, please note there has been at least one report of long delay for people who take the TSA up on their offer to opt out of the naked body scanners, so please keep that in mind when planning your airport arrival time."

Protesting this Holiday Season

Protesters across the country have a united concern. No it is not the Tea Baggers complaining about taxes. Nope, not the Pot advocates hoping for legalization of the green stuff.

It is the tourists travelling this week who don't want the TSA to mess with their "junk".

Has our craze with safety in the air gone too far?

See the story at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UqM56e-kRA

Whole-Body Scans at Airports? For or Against

So, what's your take on the whole-body scans at Airports. Some folks say it is a necessary element to ensure travellers are not smuggling anything on the plane. Others say it is an unnecessary intrusion on our privacy since your naked body will be displayed.

What is your take on the subject? Not sure what it means? Visit www.tsa.gov/travelers for more information.