Latest change to TSA rules

[firecat]

US Transportation Security Administration will now prevent passengers who refuse to show ID from entering secure areas of airports.

(I thought this was already true, but apparently not—you could refuse to show ID and would be subject to additional searches but would be allowed to pass the security checkpoint.)

However, if you say you forgot your ID, you can enter (additional searches and interviews may apply).

I like this comment from Chris Soghoian at http://news.cnet.com/8301-13739_3-9962760-46.html:

TSA's new rules only protect us from a non-existent breed of terrorists who are unable to lie.

(One of the comments to this post disagreed with Soghoian's interpretation of the rule.)

Comments

[surelars.livejournal.com]

Wonderful. A change of policy directed specifically at stopping obnoxious geeks like Gilmore who insist they have (so help us god) rights, and are vocal about it.

The extent to which we are losing what we claim to be defending and how readily this is accepted is truly depressing.

[mistdog.livejournal.com]

The comment disagreeing with Soghoian's interpretation is right. It says quite clearly that access will be denied to people who refuse to assist security officers.

Frankly, I'm kind of alarmed to discover that americans apparently have the "right" to fly with no ID. But I agree with you that it's incredibly naive to accept people claiming they forgot their ID are always telling the truth without considering what people who have no legal ID would say.

It's exactly like the way they ask me if I've ever plotted to overthrow the US government, every time I enter the US. Clearly it has never occurred to anyone that someone who *was* planning to overthrow the US government might lie on the form.

[surelars.livejournal.com]

Hee. Yeah. The form even has a "if you're answering yes to any of the above questions, you're in deep shit" warning. You'd think a would-be terrorist would take a hint?

Re plotting to overthrow the U.S. government

[kmd.livejournal.com]

(putting on my immigration law hat)

That sort of question is just a legal backup plan. You will (pretty obviously, even to the question-writers) never be excluded for your answer. But if you enter the U.S. and you have lied in response to that question, the *lie* is sufficient grounds to deport you and permanently exclude you. It's kinda like nailing gangsters for tax evasion.

[micheinnz.livejournal.com]

d_h says they also protect us from non-existent terrorists who are capable of defying the laws of physics.

[innerdoggie.livejournal.com]

flying sux

I think I'm going to try to take trains and get rent-a-cars more often. Too bad I get sick on buses, since they are cheap and way less hassle.

[firecat]

I need to find out if I can be comfortable on a train.

I love taking roadtrips in my Prius but 2-3 days is about all I can handle.

[mjlayman.livejournal.com]

I'm much larger than you are, and I didn't have problems with Amtrak between DC and Mpls the two years I went that way. The seats recline, there's power plugs, seat tables, and for those that can go up stairs, a dining car and scenery cars.

[firecat]

Thanks for the datapoint!

[mjlayman.livejournal.com]

Oh, and I made this (http://beadwork.mjlayman.com/trainset.jpg) the first time.

[firecat]

That's really beautiful!

[mjlayman.livejournal.com]

Thanks! The lampwork is by an artist whose lupus has kept her from working for a whlie now, and the purple beads are amethyst ovals. There's a bracelet and earrings, too, but I made those when I got home.

[innerdoggie.livejournal.com]

You might try out Amtrak. The seats are large and the legroom is good. This is smaller on the Boston-DC route, but still much, much nicer than any airplane.

I took Amtrak from Oakland to Sacramento a couple of years ago and it was very nice and cheap.

Sometimes you luck out and have two seats to yourself.

[firecat]

Thanks for the datapoint!