Web: www.thetravelstrategist.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com
19/11/2008 – New TSA Public Service Push To Educate Travelers
This morning I received an e-mail from the Ad Council and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regarding the agency's new "Why?" Campaign. Normally I skip these e-mails, however this was not only addressed to me personally, but the people at the TSA and the Ad Council have clearly read Flying With Fish, so I gave it a read.
Once I finished the e-mail I spent some time speaking with both the Ad Council and the TSA regarding the new campaign, and while I may disagree with a reasoning behind a number of the TSA's policies, I do see the value in the "Why?" Campaign. Why do I see the value in the "Why?" Campaign? Because at its core it is centered around educating inexperienced flyers navigate the TSA airport security checkpoint process. When passenger are informed and ready they flow more easily through the checkpoint with less stress, more efficiency and this speeds up the process for everyone.
So once I decided that participating in the "Why?" Campaign was a good idea, I fired off the information to the folks at AeroChannel.com, watched the three TSA supplied videos and decided I'd go about promoting the education of passengers in my own way.
The "Why?" Campaign focuses on three important areas
- Why ID?
- Why Shoes?
- Why 3oz liquid limit?
Having spent a significant amount of time studying airport security I do not agree with the actual reasoning behind the three "Why?" questions, however once you have arrived at the airport, this is not the time to disagree. Once you have entered the TSA screening checkpoint you either follow the established rules or you do not fly. If you do disagree with the policy in place, you need to contact the TSA Chief Kip Hawley at Kip.Hawley@dhs.gov, or your representatives in the House & Senate.
.......anyway, what are the basics everyone needs to know? Here they are
1) When flying, all adult passengers must present a valid government issued photo identification. This ID may is usually your drivers license or your passport (If you have a "Passport Card" some TSA check points are know to reject this as a form of ID for some reason). Having your identification out and ready with your boarding card as you approach the TSA ID Checker podium will allow you to continue moving quickly rather than being forced to stop and retrieve your ID
2) When you approach the walk through metal detector (WTMD) you need to remove your shoes and place them through the X-Ray. Ideally you want to remove your shoes at the start of the baggage table as you pick up the bins to place your personal items through the X-Ray. I often remove my shoes when I am 2 or 3 people away from the bin table, then place my shoes in the first bin through the X-Raw along with my jacket/vest/sweat shirt. Having your shoes off and ready speeds up the process for you, the while line, and eliminates the delay of a TSA screener forcing you to get a bin and holding up the whole line.
3) The TSA requirement for liquids is "3-1-1." The "3-1-1" stands for 3oz maximum per liquid (100ml is also acceptable), placed in a single 1-quart clear plastic bag, per 1 passenger. Once you approach the X-Ray make sure your 3-1-1 bag is out and visible. I place mine on top of my shoes or jacket when I push my first bin through the x-ray.
Not on the TSA "Why?" Campaign list is your laptop and other select large electronics being required to be out and placed separately in a bin at the X-Ray. If you are flying with a laptop computer, CPAP breathing machine, full-size DVD player, full-size video game console (this does include a Wii) or a video camera that uses video cassettes, you must have these items out of their bags and placed individually in a bin for screening at the X-Ray machine.
Should you be in an airport that is employing the TSA Self-Select "Diamond Lanes" be sure to pick the lane appropriate to your skill level as a traveler. If you are a novice do not enter the expert lane because it looks shorter. If you are traveling with kids, please use the lane designated for use by families, rather than entering another lane. Using the proper lanes designed for various skill levels of travelers will reduce everyone's stress and allow the security checkpoint lanes to flow smoothly.
If you are unfamiliar with the TSA Self Select 'Diamond Lanes' please read here:8/05/2008 - New TSA "Self Select" Security Lanes - The Good & The Bad
For travelers who are completely unfamiliar with transitioning through airport security, I encourage you to read the following entry on Flying With Fish :2/07/2008 - Anatomy Of An Airport Security Checkpoint
.....and lastly, because thieves love travelers flying during the holidays please read this before heading to the airport: 21/05/2008 - Airport Security Screening System : Get Through Security With Ease & Safety
You can also watch me demonstrate some techniques for minimizing becoming the target of an airport thief here: Fish On Good Morning America
Following the above information will make your trip through airport security, quicker, easier and stress free.
……..on a side note, the TSA has chosen to have these three videos played on the CNN Airport Network televisions in airports throughout the United States. This is an interesting choice, given that CNN Airport Network TVs exist exclusively ‘post-security,’ usually in the gate area. This means that the three informational videos on proper procedures for crossing a TSA security checkpoint will be shown after passengers have already crossed through the TSA security checkpoint.
Below are the three TSA public service announcement videos.
Happy Flying!
--Click Images Below To Begin Each Video--
TSA - Why You Must Show ID
TSA - Why You Must Remove Your Shoes
TSA - Why Your Liquids Must Be 3oz Or Less
Showing posts with label Airport Security. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Airport Security. Show all posts
19 November 2008
07 November 2008
7/11/2008 – The Weekly Round Up : Fish Joins Mountainsmith's Design Team : Locks : FBOweb : TSA Sells Ads Space : Mountainsmith Amp : Less Seats Fly
Web: www.fishfotoworldwide.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com
7/11/2008 – The Weekly Round Up : Fish Joins Mountainsmith's Design Team : Locks : FBOweb : TSA Sells Ads Space : Mountainsmith Amp : Less Seats Fly
This week the most discussed topic on Flying With Fish was Election Day in the United States. This topic has nothing to do with photography and even less to do with travel, but it is a topic I feel strongly about. I hope you all went out and voted. I don't care whom you voted for, as long as you let your voice be heard! The two posts on Election Day were these:
4/11/2008 – U.S. Election Day : GO VOTE!
4/11/2008 – Do You Need Some Incentive To Vote Aside From Democracy? How About Free Coffee From Starbucks?
Aside from Election Day the exciting news on Flying With Fish was being asked to join Mountainsmith's Design Board. Mountainsmith has recognized my completely unsolicited enjoyment of their gear and asked me to pitch in. I head off to Golden, Colorado, in Mid-December for the first Design Board meeting. For more info, click here :
7/11/2008 – Flying With Fish To Join Mountainsmith's Design Board
Last week kicked off discussing the advantages to using a combination lock over a key lock on your bags. It may seem trivial, but believe it or not, combination locks can provide you with some significant advantages for peace of mind. Interested in finding out why you should ditch your key locks for combination locks? Check here:
3/11/2008 – Baggage Locks : Keys vs Combination
Over the past year the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has experimented with allowing the sale of advertising on TSA security checkpoint equipment, such as security bins and the tables before the x-ray machine. I personally see this as something that needs to be discontinued. TSA checkpoints are federally controlled security area, and should be free from advertising and endorsements. Read more on this topic in this entry:
5/11/2008 – Ads At TSA Airport Security Checkpoints : Should They Be For Sale?
What can you do once you've planned your camera and lens selection, researched the perfect bag then discover the flights you researched earlier in the year no longer exist? With 59.7-million fewer seats flying in the 4th quarter of 2008 this can be tricky. For some tips on how to plan your next journey click here:
6/11/2008 – Packed To Travel But No Seats To Be Found?
This week's iPhone 'App' Of the Week, FBO Web Flight Tracker, is a fun fight-tracking tool for 'geeks.' FBO Web Flight Tracker allows you to track fights by tail number, airport, specific flight and find out where they are in the sky on a real-time map, as well as their altitude and estimated time remaining in flight. This iPhone 'App' does require slightly more than basic knowledge to use properly. Sound like a fun tool you want to explore? Check here:
6/11/2008 – iPhone 'App' Of The Week : FBO Web Flight Tracker
My quest to find the ideal mobile phone belt holster came to a stop last year on the second floor of the Kittery Trading Post, in Kittery, Maine, while shopping for a pair of pants. While browsing the store I came upon the Mountainsmith Amp mobile phone holster and I never looked back. Since I started using the Mountainsmith Amp I have never knocked my phone out, despite being banged my cameras, lenses, waist packs, belt pouches, having climbed over, on and through objects and flying around the world a few times. To read more about this durable, reliable and versatile mobile phone holster click this link:
6/11/2008 – Mountainsmith Amp : A Phone Holster For People On The Run
Next week I hope to introduce you to a whole new type of bag, this bag I should mention is NOT a Mountainsmith bag. From what I have seen this new bag looks to be a highly customizable. The bag I'll be reviewing should arrive on Monday and be packed with gear by Monday night. This bag was designed for use by wildlife photographers, and while I see incredible potential for sports photographers, for my purposes, I see this bag as a fantastic bag for traveling with a complete compact mobile lighting kit. So what is this new bag I'll be one of the first to use in the field? You'll need to check in next week to find out!
Happy Flying!
7/11/2008 – The Weekly Round Up : Fish Joins Mountainsmith's Design Team : Locks : FBOweb : TSA Sells Ads Space : Mountainsmith Amp : Less Seats Fly
This week the most discussed topic on Flying With Fish was Election Day in the United States. This topic has nothing to do with photography and even less to do with travel, but it is a topic I feel strongly about. I hope you all went out and voted. I don't care whom you voted for, as long as you let your voice be heard! The two posts on Election Day were these:
4/11/2008 – U.S. Election Day : GO VOTE!
4/11/2008 – Do You Need Some Incentive To Vote Aside From Democracy? How About Free Coffee From Starbucks?
Aside from Election Day the exciting news on Flying With Fish was being asked to join Mountainsmith's Design Board. Mountainsmith has recognized my completely unsolicited enjoyment of their gear and asked me to pitch in. I head off to Golden, Colorado, in Mid-December for the first Design Board meeting. For more info, click here :
7/11/2008 – Flying With Fish To Join Mountainsmith's Design Board
Last week kicked off discussing the advantages to using a combination lock over a key lock on your bags. It may seem trivial, but believe it or not, combination locks can provide you with some significant advantages for peace of mind. Interested in finding out why you should ditch your key locks for combination locks? Check here:
3/11/2008 – Baggage Locks : Keys vs Combination
Over the past year the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has experimented with allowing the sale of advertising on TSA security checkpoint equipment, such as security bins and the tables before the x-ray machine. I personally see this as something that needs to be discontinued. TSA checkpoints are federally controlled security area, and should be free from advertising and endorsements. Read more on this topic in this entry:
5/11/2008 – Ads At TSA Airport Security Checkpoints : Should They Be For Sale?
What can you do once you've planned your camera and lens selection, researched the perfect bag then discover the flights you researched earlier in the year no longer exist? With 59.7-million fewer seats flying in the 4th quarter of 2008 this can be tricky. For some tips on how to plan your next journey click here:
6/11/2008 – Packed To Travel But No Seats To Be Found?
This week's iPhone 'App' Of the Week, FBO Web Flight Tracker, is a fun fight-tracking tool for 'geeks.' FBO Web Flight Tracker allows you to track fights by tail number, airport, specific flight and find out where they are in the sky on a real-time map, as well as their altitude and estimated time remaining in flight. This iPhone 'App' does require slightly more than basic knowledge to use properly. Sound like a fun tool you want to explore? Check here:
6/11/2008 – iPhone 'App' Of The Week : FBO Web Flight Tracker
My quest to find the ideal mobile phone belt holster came to a stop last year on the second floor of the Kittery Trading Post, in Kittery, Maine, while shopping for a pair of pants. While browsing the store I came upon the Mountainsmith Amp mobile phone holster and I never looked back. Since I started using the Mountainsmith Amp I have never knocked my phone out, despite being banged my cameras, lenses, waist packs, belt pouches, having climbed over, on and through objects and flying around the world a few times. To read more about this durable, reliable and versatile mobile phone holster click this link:
6/11/2008 – Mountainsmith Amp : A Phone Holster For People On The Run
Next week I hope to introduce you to a whole new type of bag, this bag I should mention is NOT a Mountainsmith bag. From what I have seen this new bag looks to be a highly customizable. The bag I'll be reviewing should arrive on Monday and be packed with gear by Monday night. This bag was designed for use by wildlife photographers, and while I see incredible potential for sports photographers, for my purposes, I see this bag as a fantastic bag for traveling with a complete compact mobile lighting kit. So what is this new bag I'll be one of the first to use in the field? You'll need to check in next week to find out!
Happy Flying!
05 November 2008
Ads At TSA Airport Security Checkpoints : Should They Be For Sale?
Web: www.thetravelstrategist.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com
5/11/2008 – Ads At TSA Airport Security Checkpoints : Should They Be For Sale?
Over the past year the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has experimented with selling advertising space at 14 airports through out the United States. As this year long advertising experiment concludes, and the TSA moves to roll out this option throughout the United States. I feel this program gives the impression that the United States Government's first line of defense, for the security of those traveling in the United States, is for sale.
The security of the traveling public, which is a serious and challenging task, should not have perception of corporate influence. Many look at this program as something that is not a big deal. The TSA provides ad space, through Security Point Media, on the bottom of the checkpoint personal item bins, as well as on the tops of the tables leading up to the x-ray machine. If security was a private entity, or if it was owned by the airport authority, I would not give the advertising scheme a second thought.......but its not, security is maintained by the United States Department of Homeland Security's Transportation Security Administration.
Given that security is a branch of the Federal Government, under the Department of Homeland Security, I believe there should be no mixing security with ad revenue. Under the TSA's current advertising sales scheme the advertisers purchase the bins, bin carts and tables for the TSA. In trade for purchasing these items, the company secures the advertising rights to the tables and the bins.
This may be seen as a 'donation,' such as a volunteer fire department having a small sticker on a truck that reads, "This ambulance donated by XYZ Corp." In other situations this may be seen as a way for a corporation to try and gain political leverage though their financial contribution to a specific federal agency.
The TSA has shown that it has a long way to go in making sure loop holes in security are closed up and that the agency has a genuine interest in securing the traveling public. Diverting its efforts to a program that is counter productive to its image, as well as offering no benefit to security, should be rethought and revisited once the agency has its security issues under control.
What will be next? Will we see ads on passport control stations, and Custom's inspection tables, operated by the Department of Homeland Security's Customs & Border Protection (CBP) Officers?
Security must not only be secure, but it must also give the pure appearance there is no impropriety.
Happy Flying!
5/11/2008 – Ads At TSA Airport Security Checkpoints : Should They Be For Sale?
Over the past year the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has experimented with selling advertising space at 14 airports through out the United States. As this year long advertising experiment concludes, and the TSA moves to roll out this option throughout the United States. I feel this program gives the impression that the United States Government's first line of defense, for the security of those traveling in the United States, is for sale.
The security of the traveling public, which is a serious and challenging task, should not have perception of corporate influence. Many look at this program as something that is not a big deal. The TSA provides ad space, through Security Point Media, on the bottom of the checkpoint personal item bins, as well as on the tops of the tables leading up to the x-ray machine. If security was a private entity, or if it was owned by the airport authority, I would not give the advertising scheme a second thought.......but its not, security is maintained by the United States Department of Homeland Security's Transportation Security Administration.
Given that security is a branch of the Federal Government, under the Department of Homeland Security, I believe there should be no mixing security with ad revenue. Under the TSA's current advertising sales scheme the advertisers purchase the bins, bin carts and tables for the TSA. In trade for purchasing these items, the company secures the advertising rights to the tables and the bins.
This may be seen as a 'donation,' such as a volunteer fire department having a small sticker on a truck that reads, "This ambulance donated by XYZ Corp." In other situations this may be seen as a way for a corporation to try and gain political leverage though their financial contribution to a specific federal agency.
The TSA has shown that it has a long way to go in making sure loop holes in security are closed up and that the agency has a genuine interest in securing the traveling public. Diverting its efforts to a program that is counter productive to its image, as well as offering no benefit to security, should be rethought and revisited once the agency has its security issues under control.
What will be next? Will we see ads on passport control stations, and Custom's inspection tables, operated by the Department of Homeland Security's Customs & Border Protection (CBP) Officers?
Security must not only be secure, but it must also give the pure appearance there is no impropriety.
Happy Flying!
03 November 2008
Baggage Locks : Keys vs Combination
Web: www.fishfoto.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com
3/11/2008 – Baggage Locks : Keys vs Combination
All travelers worry about having items stolen from their bags while traveling. Having items stolen from checked baggage is just as frustrating as having items stolen from your carry on bags.
When I travel I keep locks on all my bags, even when only flying with carry-on baggage. Each zipper can be secured, especially when in certain situations, and if I am taking a nap, locks are needed for my PacSafe Anti-Theft Protector.
When you choose your locks, even working within the requirements of a TSA Sentry Approved Lock, not all locks are created equal. Yes, some locks are stronger than others, but that is not what I am addressing. What I am addressing is the security and practicality of using a combination lock instead of a key lock.
Key locks are prone to two significant security concerns.
The first security concern with key locks is key locks are somewhat easily accessible to professional thieves. Most skilled thieves do not need to pick a lock, or even cut a lock. If thieves are not picking or cutting a lock, how are they opening your lock? With a key-ring full of keys.
Open a package of most baggage locks; you'll get two or three locks with only two sets of keys. This is because one key opens all three locks. Keys for many commercial locks are not unique; they will open thousands of locks. A skilled airport, or train station, their can quickly size up the lock on your bag and know which series of potential keys will open the lock.
The second security concern with using key locks is the potential for losing the keys to your lock. Should you lose your keys in transit, you'll be unable to quickly and easily access your bags when you need to. Additionally, should you break a key off in your lock (and yes, I have heard of this happening more often than you might think) your lock will need to cut off. While getting a lock cut off isn't so hard, it is not that easy when you're standing in the airport, at the gate, awaiting an international flight to board and your boarding pass and passport are in your bag............
Combination locks offer more security and considerably more peace-of-mind. A combination is only known to you and those you've told. Given that thieves cannot easily walk through an airport with a lock cutter, and the sound of a battery powered Dremel Tool sawing your lock off next to your head will wake you up, they'll tend to move on to an easier target.
In addition to slightly more security with the use of combination locks, you cannot lose the combination to your locks. Combination baggage locks tend allow the user to set their own combination. All of my locks have the same combination, this way no matter what lock I snatch out of my drawer the combination is always the same.
Yes, TSA Approved Sentry Locks can all be opened with a set of keys that should only be available to TSA baggage screeners. Yes, these keys are available to those who are not TSA screeners. This does defeat the purpose of securing your bag, however a lock is an effective deterrent. A combination lock is a more effective deterrent.
If a professional thief really wants the contents of your bag, they may be hard to defeat.........so ALWAYS try and reduce your chances of becoming a target and be aware of your surroundings.
Happy Flying!
3/11/2008 – Baggage Locks : Keys vs Combination
All travelers worry about having items stolen from their bags while traveling. Having items stolen from checked baggage is just as frustrating as having items stolen from your carry on bags.
When I travel I keep locks on all my bags, even when only flying with carry-on baggage. Each zipper can be secured, especially when in certain situations, and if I am taking a nap, locks are needed for my PacSafe Anti-Theft Protector.
When you choose your locks, even working within the requirements of a TSA Sentry Approved Lock, not all locks are created equal. Yes, some locks are stronger than others, but that is not what I am addressing. What I am addressing is the security and practicality of using a combination lock instead of a key lock.
Key locks are prone to two significant security concerns.
The first security concern with key locks is key locks are somewhat easily accessible to professional thieves. Most skilled thieves do not need to pick a lock, or even cut a lock. If thieves are not picking or cutting a lock, how are they opening your lock? With a key-ring full of keys.
Open a package of most baggage locks; you'll get two or three locks with only two sets of keys. This is because one key opens all three locks. Keys for many commercial locks are not unique; they will open thousands of locks. A skilled airport, or train station, their can quickly size up the lock on your bag and know which series of potential keys will open the lock.
The second security concern with using key locks is the potential for losing the keys to your lock. Should you lose your keys in transit, you'll be unable to quickly and easily access your bags when you need to. Additionally, should you break a key off in your lock (and yes, I have heard of this happening more often than you might think) your lock will need to cut off. While getting a lock cut off isn't so hard, it is not that easy when you're standing in the airport, at the gate, awaiting an international flight to board and your boarding pass and passport are in your bag............
Combination locks offer more security and considerably more peace-of-mind. A combination is only known to you and those you've told. Given that thieves cannot easily walk through an airport with a lock cutter, and the sound of a battery powered Dremel Tool sawing your lock off next to your head will wake you up, they'll tend to move on to an easier target.
In addition to slightly more security with the use of combination locks, you cannot lose the combination to your locks. Combination baggage locks tend allow the user to set their own combination. All of my locks have the same combination, this way no matter what lock I snatch out of my drawer the combination is always the same.
Yes, TSA Approved Sentry Locks can all be opened with a set of keys that should only be available to TSA baggage screeners. Yes, these keys are available to those who are not TSA screeners. This does defeat the purpose of securing your bag, however a lock is an effective deterrent. A combination lock is a more effective deterrent.
If a professional thief really wants the contents of your bag, they may be hard to defeat.........so ALWAYS try and reduce your chances of becoming a target and be aware of your surroundings.
Happy Flying!
24 October 2008
U.S. Flyers Required To Provide Full Name & Date-of-Birth In 2009
Web: www.fishfoto.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com
24/10/2008 - U.S. Flyers Required To Provide Full Name & Date-of-Birth In 2009
As a flyer I am very much in favour of security.
Let me clarify the above statement.........As a flyer I am very much in favour of effective security.
What I am not in favour of as a flyer, as a US Citizen and as a U.S tax payer, is an ineffective security system that increasingly reminds me of George Orwell’s classic novel "1984," that in return offers the traveling public no additional effective security measures.
Beginning in 2009 flyers in the United States will be required to provide airlines with their full name and date of birth. Currently you can purchase tickets with your first two initials and your last name, and no other information is required, now you'll need to provide first, middle, last name in your reservation.
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff has stated that the new rules will dramatically reduce the number of flyers who are mistaken for those on the "No Fly List," which includes those on the terrorist watch list. Given that the "No Fly List" has never caught a terrorist, or come close to catching a terrorist, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may want to revamp its security measures in a less invasive manner to those traveling in the United States.
Flyers who fail to provide their full name and date of birth will be unable to print boarding passes at home, or at the airport, for any flight originating or terminating in the United States, as of July 2009. If you fail to provide this information you will be required to check in with an airline's counter agent and provide them with the information.
I do not believe these new security rules will in any way deter a terrorist from purchasing an airline ticket. The new security measures will it certainly not prevent a terrorist from boarding a flight.
As discussed in this post, 20/10/2008 – TSA Rolls Out PDA Based Boarding Pass : A Security Double Standard, anyone with a credit card or debit card can purchase a ticket online with anyone's name on it. Airline tickets can even be purchased with 'Gift Cards’ with a Visa/MasterCard/Amex logo, or an airline's gift card, these cards are not traceable back to the person using them. When the person who intends to use the ticket checks in online they simply create a PDF file of the boarding pass, then save it and import it into Photoshop. Once the PDF is open in Photoshop any name can be entered on the boarding pass. All anyone needs to do is to show proper identification and a boarding pass to get through security.
The Department of Homeland Security should begin the process of making encrypted scan-bars on boarding passes a high priority. An encrypted scan-bar would be virtually impossible to forge and change the name of the passenger using that boarding pass.
Requiring a full name and date of birth of a passenger may reduce the name of false-positives on the 'No Fly List,' but it will not reduce a determined person's ability to do harm should they choose to. There needs to be a more secure system in place......and this new one simply isn't it.
This new system is an attempt to demonstrate security to the public by creating something that sounds viable, but in reality offers nothing. This is the Transportation Security Administration's way of saying "we are focused on security,' when in reality the security loop holes are wide open and glaring.
TSA Chief Kip Hawley is quoted as saying "You have to give this information." I'd like to reply to Mr. Hawley’s quote and say "You have to provide us with valid and well planned out security measures for the flying public."
Happy Flying!
24/10/2008 - U.S. Flyers Required To Provide Full Name & Date-of-Birth In 2009
As a flyer I am very much in favour of security.
Let me clarify the above statement.........As a flyer I am very much in favour of effective security.
What I am not in favour of as a flyer, as a US Citizen and as a U.S tax payer, is an ineffective security system that increasingly reminds me of George Orwell’s classic novel "1984," that in return offers the traveling public no additional effective security measures.
Beginning in 2009 flyers in the United States will be required to provide airlines with their full name and date of birth. Currently you can purchase tickets with your first two initials and your last name, and no other information is required, now you'll need to provide first, middle, last name in your reservation.
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff has stated that the new rules will dramatically reduce the number of flyers who are mistaken for those on the "No Fly List," which includes those on the terrorist watch list. Given that the "No Fly List" has never caught a terrorist, or come close to catching a terrorist, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may want to revamp its security measures in a less invasive manner to those traveling in the United States.
Flyers who fail to provide their full name and date of birth will be unable to print boarding passes at home, or at the airport, for any flight originating or terminating in the United States, as of July 2009. If you fail to provide this information you will be required to check in with an airline's counter agent and provide them with the information.
I do not believe these new security rules will in any way deter a terrorist from purchasing an airline ticket. The new security measures will it certainly not prevent a terrorist from boarding a flight.
As discussed in this post, 20/10/2008 – TSA Rolls Out PDA Based Boarding Pass : A Security Double Standard, anyone with a credit card or debit card can purchase a ticket online with anyone's name on it. Airline tickets can even be purchased with 'Gift Cards’ with a Visa/MasterCard/Amex logo, or an airline's gift card, these cards are not traceable back to the person using them. When the person who intends to use the ticket checks in online they simply create a PDF file of the boarding pass, then save it and import it into Photoshop. Once the PDF is open in Photoshop any name can be entered on the boarding pass. All anyone needs to do is to show proper identification and a boarding pass to get through security.
The Department of Homeland Security should begin the process of making encrypted scan-bars on boarding passes a high priority. An encrypted scan-bar would be virtually impossible to forge and change the name of the passenger using that boarding pass.
Requiring a full name and date of birth of a passenger may reduce the name of false-positives on the 'No Fly List,' but it will not reduce a determined person's ability to do harm should they choose to. There needs to be a more secure system in place......and this new one simply isn't it.
This new system is an attempt to demonstrate security to the public by creating something that sounds viable, but in reality offers nothing. This is the Transportation Security Administration's way of saying "we are focused on security,' when in reality the security loop holes are wide open and glaring.
TSA Chief Kip Hawley is quoted as saying "You have to give this information." I'd like to reply to Mr. Hawley’s quote and say "You have to provide us with valid and well planned out security measures for the flying public."
Happy Flying!
21 October 2008
Mail From United Airlines That I Wish Was True : New Scam To Steal Frequent Flyer Miles
Web: www.fishfoto.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com
21/10/2008 – Mail From United Airlines That I Wish Was True : New Scam To Steal Frequent Flyer Miles
This morning I went to my PO Box to pick up my mail. My mail had the usual bills, a few catalogs and an envelope from United Airlines.
Inside the envelope was a single piece of paper with only the following information, in addition to my name and address
Frischling/Steven Mr.
03 Dec 08
Swiss 345 Coach Class
Lv: Lon / Heathrow 600a nonstop Confirmed
Ar: Zurich 835a
Snack
04 Dec 08
Swiss 1248 Coach Class
Lv: Zurich 650a nonstop Confirmed
Ar: Stkhlm/Arlanda 915a
Snack
05 Dec 08
Lufthansa 3001 Coach Class
Lv: Stkhlm/Arlanda 1005a nonstop Confirmed
Ar: Frankfurt 1215p
Snack
06 Dec 08
Lufthansa 3258 Coach Class
Lv: Frankfurt 820a nonstop Confirmed
Ar: Prague 925a
Snack
07 Dec 08
Swiss 1485 Coach Class Operated By-Helvetic Airways
Lv: Prague 950a nonstop Confirmed
Ar: Zurich 1110a
Snack
07 Dec 08
Swiss 638 Coach Class
Lv: Zurich 1235p nonstop Confirmed
Ar: Paris/DeGaulle 155p
Snack
I read this over and at first I said "Great!" Then of course reality set in when I noticed three glaring problems with receiving this itinerary in the mail.
Problem #1 : My frequent flyer number was no where to be found in the info
Problem #2: The itinerary showed no flights getting me to London or home from Paris
Problem #3: This was NOT my itinerary.
Of course the fact that this was not my itinerary should have been "Problem #1" and eliminated problems #2 and #3, but sometimes you have to just say "Hey, maybe they made a mistake and this is mine!"
After a 15-minute call with United Airlines I learned that this reservation was made on the 15th of October. The person who made the reservation had my old address, with a business phone number I have listed in various places online.
When the reservation was made, who ever made it gave incorrect billing information. Despite the incorrect billing information the seats remain "confirmed" without the tickets being issued.
So what is the point in all this? This appears to have been someone's attempt to steal my frequent flyer miles.
By creating a detailed itinerary and having a 'billing problem' whoever made the reservation would then call back in an attempt to get my frequent flyer information. Once they have my frequent flyer information they would call back and attempt to book the flights using my frequent flyer miles.
Anyone doing this would need to travel with my passport right? Wrong!
Flying on a forged boarding pass is not that risky. A flyer can check-in online, create PDFs of the boarding pass, and then insert 'their name' on the boarding pass using Photoshop. To be caught doing this would require someone visually scanning the boarding pass to actually read the name on the boarding pass while also reading the name that pops up on the screen to see if they match at the gate.
How often do gate agents read the name on the boarding pass while also looking at the name that pops up on the boarding pass scanner? Almost never.
Luckily for me, while I fly United Airlines often, nearly all my miles are credited to a Europe based Star Alliance airline. Should the person who made this reservation have pressed forward in an attempt to steal my miles they would not have gotten very far. I have used nearly all my United Mileage Plus miles and only have roughly 21,000 miles in my account.
FYI: 21,000 miles won't even get you an award seat between Washington Dulles (IAD) and Chicago O'Hare (ORD)
I have been in contact with United Airlines. The reservation is cancelled, my information has been flagged and unfortunately I am not spending four days bouncing around Europe.
New scams are created daily, and I am glad United Airlines sent me off this envelope with this itinerary. Without this letter in the mail I would have had no idea someone was created travel itineraries in my name.
For those of you who are known to fly often and rack up a lot of miles, check your accounts once in a while. Make sure all your miles are in your account and no one is trying to take vacations with your hard earned mileage!
Happy Flying!
21/10/2008 – Mail From United Airlines That I Wish Was True : New Scam To Steal Frequent Flyer Miles
This morning I went to my PO Box to pick up my mail. My mail had the usual bills, a few catalogs and an envelope from United Airlines.
Inside the envelope was a single piece of paper with only the following information, in addition to my name and address
Frischling/Steven Mr.
03 Dec 08
Swiss 345 Coach Class
Lv: Lon / Heathrow 600a nonstop Confirmed
Ar: Zurich 835a
Snack
04 Dec 08
Swiss 1248 Coach Class
Lv: Zurich 650a nonstop Confirmed
Ar: Stkhlm/Arlanda 915a
Snack
05 Dec 08
Lufthansa 3001 Coach Class
Lv: Stkhlm/Arlanda 1005a nonstop Confirmed
Ar: Frankfurt 1215p
Snack
06 Dec 08
Lufthansa 3258 Coach Class
Lv: Frankfurt 820a nonstop Confirmed
Ar: Prague 925a
Snack
07 Dec 08
Swiss 1485 Coach Class Operated By-Helvetic Airways
Lv: Prague 950a nonstop Confirmed
Ar: Zurich 1110a
Snack
07 Dec 08
Swiss 638 Coach Class
Lv: Zurich 1235p nonstop Confirmed
Ar: Paris/DeGaulle 155p
Snack
I read this over and at first I said "Great!" Then of course reality set in when I noticed three glaring problems with receiving this itinerary in the mail.
Problem #1 : My frequent flyer number was no where to be found in the info
Problem #2: The itinerary showed no flights getting me to London or home from Paris
Problem #3: This was NOT my itinerary.
Of course the fact that this was not my itinerary should have been "Problem #1" and eliminated problems #2 and #3, but sometimes you have to just say "Hey, maybe they made a mistake and this is mine!"
After a 15-minute call with United Airlines I learned that this reservation was made on the 15th of October. The person who made the reservation had my old address, with a business phone number I have listed in various places online.
When the reservation was made, who ever made it gave incorrect billing information. Despite the incorrect billing information the seats remain "confirmed" without the tickets being issued.
So what is the point in all this? This appears to have been someone's attempt to steal my frequent flyer miles.
By creating a detailed itinerary and having a 'billing problem' whoever made the reservation would then call back in an attempt to get my frequent flyer information. Once they have my frequent flyer information they would call back and attempt to book the flights using my frequent flyer miles.
Anyone doing this would need to travel with my passport right? Wrong!
Flying on a forged boarding pass is not that risky. A flyer can check-in online, create PDFs of the boarding pass, and then insert 'their name' on the boarding pass using Photoshop. To be caught doing this would require someone visually scanning the boarding pass to actually read the name on the boarding pass while also reading the name that pops up on the screen to see if they match at the gate.
How often do gate agents read the name on the boarding pass while also looking at the name that pops up on the boarding pass scanner? Almost never.
Luckily for me, while I fly United Airlines often, nearly all my miles are credited to a Europe based Star Alliance airline. Should the person who made this reservation have pressed forward in an attempt to steal my miles they would not have gotten very far. I have used nearly all my United Mileage Plus miles and only have roughly 21,000 miles in my account.
FYI: 21,000 miles won't even get you an award seat between Washington Dulles (IAD) and Chicago O'Hare (ORD)
I have been in contact with United Airlines. The reservation is cancelled, my information has been flagged and unfortunately I am not spending four days bouncing around Europe.
New scams are created daily, and I am glad United Airlines sent me off this envelope with this itinerary. Without this letter in the mail I would have had no idea someone was created travel itineraries in my name.
For those of you who are known to fly often and rack up a lot of miles, check your accounts once in a while. Make sure all your miles are in your account and no one is trying to take vacations with your hard earned mileage!
Happy Flying!
20 October 2008
TSA Rolls Out PDA Based Boarding Pass : A Security Double Standard
Web: www.thetravelstrategist.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com
20/10/2008 – TSA Rolls Out PDA Based Boarding Pass : A Security Double Standard
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has begin a beta program that allows flyers to download their boarding pass to the Blackberry/iPhone/PDA and skip printing out a paper boarding pass.
When a flyer downloads the boarding pass to their PDA, the electronic boarding pass displays an encrypted bar code that contains the passengers basic travel information. This information includes the passenger’s name and flight information. When the flyer approaches the TSA travel document checker (TDC) the PDA based boarding pass is electronically scanned by a hand-held scanner. The information displayed on the hand-held scanner is then verified against the flyers valid photo identification.
With the ability to create, and alter, boarding passes printed at home (or at the hotel), changing a passengers name to bypass security measures is very easy to accomplish. Shouldn't all boarding passes have this 2-dimensional encrypted barcode?
If a potential flyer is on the 'No Fly' list, who is a legitimate threat to national security, really wants to fly, they will purchase a ticket in the name of someone who is not on the 'No Fly' list.
Once this ‘threat’ has purchased the ticket they will check in online, and get to the print page. Once at the print page they'll create a PDF and import the PDF into Photoshop. In Photoshop they will change the name on the boarding pass to their name. With their name on the boarding pass they can walk up to the TSA's TDC with their legal legitimate photo identification and the forged boarding pass. The names will match and they'll be on their way. Once at the gate they use a non-forged boarding pass and they board the plane.
..........no I am not giving away national security secrets here. What I am discussing is information that the Department of Homeland Security is well aware of.
By implementing a bar-code scanning system through the TSA's travel document checking system it would be extremely difficult to bypass the security measures in place. The system of checking encrypted boarding passes should not be limited to the use of PDA boarding passes at a total of 8 airport checkpoints.
This system is not at 8 airports, but at 8 airport checkpoints, specific to certain airlines. New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA) for example has approximately 9 TSA check points. The PDA boarding pass program however is only available at one single checkpoint. You can only use the PDA boarding pass in the Delta/Northwest Terminal, and only if you are flying on Delta Airlines (not Northwest Airlines).
We need a secure system to keep a nation in transit safe. A system of positively checking boarding passes should be in place not only in the United States by around the world. A secure system of boarding pass verification should be in place not only at major airports, but at minor airports as well.
Why minor airports? Because if you seek to do harm and strike fear into the hearts and minds of the flying public, you won't risk dealing with security at a major airport such as Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). To make your job easier, you'll board your flight at a small regional airport such as New Haven (HVN), which is easier to pass through and connect to a full-loaded transcontinental or transatlantic flight out of PHL.
Checking photo identification against a piece of paper that cannot be verified is a waste of resources. Dealing with 21st century threats with mid-20th century technology is not staying one-step ahead of the threat. Current security measures react to past threats rather than looking forward towards new threats.
Having encrypted bar codes on all boarding passes is a 21st century answer to a 21st century threat and it should not be limited to an extremely small number of travelers who chose to use their PDA rather than a paper boarding pass.
Happy Flying!
20/10/2008 – TSA Rolls Out PDA Based Boarding Pass : A Security Double Standard
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has begin a beta program that allows flyers to download their boarding pass to the Blackberry/iPhone/PDA and skip printing out a paper boarding pass.
When a flyer downloads the boarding pass to their PDA, the electronic boarding pass displays an encrypted bar code that contains the passengers basic travel information. This information includes the passenger’s name and flight information. When the flyer approaches the TSA travel document checker (TDC) the PDA based boarding pass is electronically scanned by a hand-held scanner. The information displayed on the hand-held scanner is then verified against the flyers valid photo identification.
With the ability to create, and alter, boarding passes printed at home (or at the hotel), changing a passengers name to bypass security measures is very easy to accomplish. Shouldn't all boarding passes have this 2-dimensional encrypted barcode?
If a potential flyer is on the 'No Fly' list, who is a legitimate threat to national security, really wants to fly, they will purchase a ticket in the name of someone who is not on the 'No Fly' list.
Once this ‘threat’ has purchased the ticket they will check in online, and get to the print page. Once at the print page they'll create a PDF and import the PDF into Photoshop. In Photoshop they will change the name on the boarding pass to their name. With their name on the boarding pass they can walk up to the TSA's TDC with their legal legitimate photo identification and the forged boarding pass. The names will match and they'll be on their way. Once at the gate they use a non-forged boarding pass and they board the plane.
..........no I am not giving away national security secrets here. What I am discussing is information that the Department of Homeland Security is well aware of.
By implementing a bar-code scanning system through the TSA's travel document checking system it would be extremely difficult to bypass the security measures in place. The system of checking encrypted boarding passes should not be limited to the use of PDA boarding passes at a total of 8 airport checkpoints.
This system is not at 8 airports, but at 8 airport checkpoints, specific to certain airlines. New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA) for example has approximately 9 TSA check points. The PDA boarding pass program however is only available at one single checkpoint. You can only use the PDA boarding pass in the Delta/Northwest Terminal, and only if you are flying on Delta Airlines (not Northwest Airlines).
We need a secure system to keep a nation in transit safe. A system of positively checking boarding passes should be in place not only in the United States by around the world. A secure system of boarding pass verification should be in place not only at major airports, but at minor airports as well.
Why minor airports? Because if you seek to do harm and strike fear into the hearts and minds of the flying public, you won't risk dealing with security at a major airport such as Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). To make your job easier, you'll board your flight at a small regional airport such as New Haven (HVN), which is easier to pass through and connect to a full-loaded transcontinental or transatlantic flight out of PHL.
Checking photo identification against a piece of paper that cannot be verified is a waste of resources. Dealing with 21st century threats with mid-20th century technology is not staying one-step ahead of the threat. Current security measures react to past threats rather than looking forward towards new threats.
Having encrypted bar codes on all boarding passes is a 21st century answer to a 21st century threat and it should not be limited to an extremely small number of travelers who chose to use their PDA rather than a paper boarding pass.
Happy Flying!
16 October 2008
The Jewish Holiday Of Sukkot Is Not A Threat To Airline Security According To The Department Of Homeland Security
Web: www.fishfoto.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com
16/10/2008 – The Jewish Holiday Of Sukkot Is Not A Threat To Airline Security According To The Department Of Homeland Security
Three days ago at Sunset, on the evening of the 13th of October, the Jewish festival of Sukkot began. Sukkot is the joyous holiday essentially celebrating the harvest.
With the holiday of Sukkot approaching the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) put out the following press release a few days before the start of this holiday.
Religious Events of Sukkot
TSA recognizes that the travel period for Sukkot, a significant event for persons of the Jewish faith, begins approximately on October 14, 2008, and ends approximately on October 20, 2008.
TSA’s standard operating procedures do not prohibit the carrying of the four plants – which include a palm branch, myrtle twigs, willow twigs, and a citron through the airport or the security checkpoints, or on aircraft. These plants are not on TSA’s Prohibited Items List.
TSA understands that this is a significant religious event for the Jewish faith and has reminded its security workforce that members of the Jewish faith may be observed engaging in religious practices or meditations and carrying the four plants.
I have read this press release and reread this press release, and for the life of me I cannot fathom why someone at the DHS or TSA though they needed to announce you could travel with the items customarily found in a Sukkah while celebrating Sukkot. None of these items are banned from carry-on baggage at any time during the year.
..............so with the TSA's blessing (so to speak).........To all the Jewish readers of Flying With Fish, L'shanah tovah, and happy and a healthy 5769!
Happy Flying!
16/10/2008 – The Jewish Holiday Of Sukkot Is Not A Threat To Airline Security According To The Department Of Homeland Security
Three days ago at Sunset, on the evening of the 13th of October, the Jewish festival of Sukkot began. Sukkot is the joyous holiday essentially celebrating the harvest.
With the holiday of Sukkot approaching the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) put out the following press release a few days before the start of this holiday.
Religious Events of Sukkot
TSA recognizes that the travel period for Sukkot, a significant event for persons of the Jewish faith, begins approximately on October 14, 2008, and ends approximately on October 20, 2008.
TSA’s standard operating procedures do not prohibit the carrying of the four plants – which include a palm branch, myrtle twigs, willow twigs, and a citron through the airport or the security checkpoints, or on aircraft. These plants are not on TSA’s Prohibited Items List.
TSA understands that this is a significant religious event for the Jewish faith and has reminded its security workforce that members of the Jewish faith may be observed engaging in religious practices or meditations and carrying the four plants.
I have read this press release and reread this press release, and for the life of me I cannot fathom why someone at the DHS or TSA though they needed to announce you could travel with the items customarily found in a Sukkah while celebrating Sukkot. None of these items are banned from carry-on baggage at any time during the year.
..............so with the TSA's blessing (so to speak).........To all the Jewish readers of Flying With Fish, L'shanah tovah, and happy and a healthy 5769!
Happy Flying!
15 October 2008
Registered Traveler 'Clear' Card Fee Goes Up To US$199: Is This Worth It? I Think Not
Web: www.fishfotoworldwide.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com
15/10/2008 – Registered Traveler 'Clear' Card Fee Goes Up To US$199: Is This Worth It? I Think Not
A few days ago Verified Identity Pass (VIP) announced that it would be increasing the fee for registering for a "Clear" card
VIP issues the Clear Card in accordance with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Registered Traveler Program. The idea of the Registered Traveler is to perform background checks on applicants for the program, speed up their airport security process.
Having looked over the Clear program, and the Registered Traveler program in general, I see only one distinct advantage to holding a Clear card. This advantage is facing shorter airport security wait times, at a limited number of airports.
Back in December 2007 I discussed Clear, and explained that I did not see the value in spending $100 for a Clear card in this entry : 18-December-2007 : To Register Or Not To Register That Is The Question! Should You Be A Registered Traveler?
Now as we are nearing the end of 2008, and Clear raises it’s cost to US$199, I see less value for Clear on a number of levels.
For the US$199 fee a Clear flyer must submit to a lengthy and invasive background check. In this check you must disclose a significant amount of personal information. In addition to this information you must also submit your fingerprints and retina scan. Back in December 2007 I said that I did not believe in a conspiracy theory, I didn't think there were black helicopters circling my house. Although I am my conspiracy theorist, I like to keep my private information private.
In the past year VIP has proven that it is not ready to secure personal and sensitive data. The most notable glitch in VIP's Clear security was in August of 2008 (which I wrote about here: 5/08/2008 - 'Clear' Registered Traveler User Information Stolen) . A laptop, containing the personal information of more than 33,000 Clear applicants and users was stolen from an office at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). To make matters worse, the data on this computer was not encrypted. All the information was available for the taking. The laptop was mysteriously returned to the same office it as stolen from a few days later, with no explanation. VIP claims the computer was not tampered with, however it would be hard to tell if a non-encrypted computer's hard drive was cloned or not.
So with all this in mind what does paying US$199 to Clear get you as a Registered Traveler?
- You are still subject to TSA searches
- Your laptop must still be removed from your bag
- You still may not bring liquids through security
- You are still subject to random secondary searches
- You may still have "SSSS" printed on your boarding pass for secondary screening
......you will however be escorted to a machine that will scan your fingerprints and your retina; you will cut the entire security line; you may (in some airports) leave your shoes on.
Since Registered Travelers are subject to all the same security restrictions of every other traveler what is the benefit of being a registered traveler? That you can leave your shoes on?
Personally I don't mind taking my shoes off. I'd rather be able to leave my laptop in my bag. I am able to leave my laptop in my bag in many other countries. If I have submitted to an intensive background check and offered up a scan of my fingers and my eye, why can't I bring a bottle of Canada Dry ginger ale from home through security with me?
Given that companies that administer the Registered Traveler program are responsible for researching and carrying out the security background checks, rather than the Federal Government, how secure is this system? Since airport security was Federalized to create a uniform system of airport security (except the few airports, such as SFO that are private airport security) shifting the responsibility to a private company is detrimental to the overall security of commercial aviation.
The installation of the Registered Traveler program is profitable to the Department of Homeland Security, but should ‘Security Theater’ be acceptable? Should allowing companies that are not proven in handling secure personal data to determine who is and is not a potential threat?
With the way the Registered Traveler companies operate, can we just have a system in place where we pay US$100 and simply get to skip the line?
.......come on, the background check does NOTHING to alter our security screening anyway when we get to the TSA checkpoint.
Happy Flying!
15/10/2008 – Registered Traveler 'Clear' Card Fee Goes Up To US$199: Is This Worth It? I Think Not
A few days ago Verified Identity Pass (VIP) announced that it would be increasing the fee for registering for a "Clear" card
VIP issues the Clear Card in accordance with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Registered Traveler Program. The idea of the Registered Traveler is to perform background checks on applicants for the program, speed up their airport security process.
Having looked over the Clear program, and the Registered Traveler program in general, I see only one distinct advantage to holding a Clear card. This advantage is facing shorter airport security wait times, at a limited number of airports.
Back in December 2007 I discussed Clear, and explained that I did not see the value in spending $100 for a Clear card in this entry : 18-December-2007 : To Register Or Not To Register That Is The Question! Should You Be A Registered Traveler?
Now as we are nearing the end of 2008, and Clear raises it’s cost to US$199, I see less value for Clear on a number of levels.
For the US$199 fee a Clear flyer must submit to a lengthy and invasive background check. In this check you must disclose a significant amount of personal information. In addition to this information you must also submit your fingerprints and retina scan. Back in December 2007 I said that I did not believe in a conspiracy theory, I didn't think there were black helicopters circling my house. Although I am my conspiracy theorist, I like to keep my private information private.
In the past year VIP has proven that it is not ready to secure personal and sensitive data. The most notable glitch in VIP's Clear security was in August of 2008 (which I wrote about here: 5/08/2008 - 'Clear' Registered Traveler User Information Stolen) . A laptop, containing the personal information of more than 33,000 Clear applicants and users was stolen from an office at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). To make matters worse, the data on this computer was not encrypted. All the information was available for the taking. The laptop was mysteriously returned to the same office it as stolen from a few days later, with no explanation. VIP claims the computer was not tampered with, however it would be hard to tell if a non-encrypted computer's hard drive was cloned or not.
So with all this in mind what does paying US$199 to Clear get you as a Registered Traveler?
- You are still subject to TSA searches
- Your laptop must still be removed from your bag
- You still may not bring liquids through security
- You are still subject to random secondary searches
- You may still have "SSSS" printed on your boarding pass for secondary screening
......you will however be escorted to a machine that will scan your fingerprints and your retina; you will cut the entire security line; you may (in some airports) leave your shoes on.
Since Registered Travelers are subject to all the same security restrictions of every other traveler what is the benefit of being a registered traveler? That you can leave your shoes on?
Personally I don't mind taking my shoes off. I'd rather be able to leave my laptop in my bag. I am able to leave my laptop in my bag in many other countries. If I have submitted to an intensive background check and offered up a scan of my fingers and my eye, why can't I bring a bottle of Canada Dry ginger ale from home through security with me?
Given that companies that administer the Registered Traveler program are responsible for researching and carrying out the security background checks, rather than the Federal Government, how secure is this system? Since airport security was Federalized to create a uniform system of airport security (except the few airports, such as SFO that are private airport security) shifting the responsibility to a private company is detrimental to the overall security of commercial aviation.
The installation of the Registered Traveler program is profitable to the Department of Homeland Security, but should ‘Security Theater’ be acceptable? Should allowing companies that are not proven in handling secure personal data to determine who is and is not a potential threat?
With the way the Registered Traveler companies operate, can we just have a system in place where we pay US$100 and simply get to skip the line?
.......come on, the background check does NOTHING to alter our security screening anyway when we get to the TSA checkpoint.
Happy Flying!
08 October 2008
Protecting Your Sensitive Valuables In Checked Baggage : A Last Resort
Web: www.fishfoto.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com
8/10/2008 - Protecting Your Sensitive Valuables In Checked Baggage : A Last Resort
WARNING: THE FOLLOWING LAST RESORT SUGGESTION IS ONLY VALID FOR DOMESTIC TRAVEL WITHIN THE UNITED STATES
With the recent news of a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screener being caught and confessing to the theft of hundreds of expensive cameras, lenses, laptops, video equipment and other items at Newark Liberty International Airport (as I reported here on Flying With Fish : 7/10/2008 - Airport TSA Security Screener Busted For One-Man Theft Ring) I have received dozens of e-mails today asking how photographers can securely checked their equipment.
The subject of checking photographic equipment securely is one I have discussed in various online forums for quite some time. The bad news is that if someone wants to steal from you they will. The complex issue is that the most secure checked baggage scenario I am aware of is only available for travel domestically within the United States. The troubling issue is that in order to verify that your gear is securely checked you must travel with a firearm.
I have weighed the positives and negatives on discussing the last resort options to ensure a checked bag is locked upon check in and remains locked upon arrival. Ultimately I have decided that it is the best interest of photographers, and others traveling with sensitive valuables that must be checked, to know the one 'trick up the sleeve' that will ensure a bag can be visually checked, locked, never opened again by the TSA or anyone else while in transit, and be delivered via 'special handling' at your destination.
There is a little known rule in place by the TSA that allows a passenger to check an unloaded firearm in a securely locked hard-sided case. This rule applies to something as simple as a 'starter pistol' that requires no permit. If you slip a simple $30 starter pistol into your Pelican Case with your checked camera equipment, your camera case is now a 'gun case.'
How does this work? Let me explain
1) When you check in for your flight you declare that your checked case contains a firearm to the airline counter representative.
2) Once you have declared the weapon to the airline counter agent you must prove to them that the firearm has an empty chamber and is not loaded with any ammo.
3) Once you have satisfied the airline requirements you must present your hard-sided case, containing the firearm, to a TSA Agent.
4) The TSA screener will then visually inspect the contents of your case in front of you. By law you MUST be present as your case is inspected by the TSA Agent.
5) Following the inspection you must lock your case with a non-TSA Sentry Lock. This means that the lock you use will in no way be accessible to any TSA agents, or ramp agents, who have access to TSA Sentry Lock keys. Both key and combination locks are acceptable, however a combination lock is suggested, as is using two locks instead of one
6) Once the TSA accepts your hard-sided case, locked with two non-TSA Sentry Locks, it is identified in such a way that it will not be opened again until it delivered to your destination and is back in your hands, and you choose to unlock it.
You CANNOT check the case containing the firearm at curbside check-in. You should check with the airline you will be flying on to check what rules and regulations that may have for checking a firearm on their flights.
Personally, I strongly suggest making every effort to carry your gear on-board. Look into a combination of a backpack that can hold a significant amount of equipment. Choose a backpack that by design does not draw the attention of an airline representative and use it in conjunction with a full size roll-aboard to carry additional equipment and longer lenses.
If you cannot deal with a backpack and roll aboard for your gear, then look into the last resort and pack a starter pistol between your 400f2.8 and 600f4 inside your Pelican Case.
For the Official TSA information on traveling with a firearm check here:
www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1666.shtm
Happy Flying!
8/10/2008 - Protecting Your Sensitive Valuables In Checked Baggage : A Last Resort
WARNING: THE FOLLOWING LAST RESORT SUGGESTION IS ONLY VALID FOR DOMESTIC TRAVEL WITHIN THE UNITED STATES
With the recent news of a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screener being caught and confessing to the theft of hundreds of expensive cameras, lenses, laptops, video equipment and other items at Newark Liberty International Airport (as I reported here on Flying With Fish : 7/10/2008 - Airport TSA Security Screener Busted For One-Man Theft Ring) I have received dozens of e-mails today asking how photographers can securely checked their equipment.
The subject of checking photographic equipment securely is one I have discussed in various online forums for quite some time. The bad news is that if someone wants to steal from you they will. The complex issue is that the most secure checked baggage scenario I am aware of is only available for travel domestically within the United States. The troubling issue is that in order to verify that your gear is securely checked you must travel with a firearm.
I have weighed the positives and negatives on discussing the last resort options to ensure a checked bag is locked upon check in and remains locked upon arrival. Ultimately I have decided that it is the best interest of photographers, and others traveling with sensitive valuables that must be checked, to know the one 'trick up the sleeve' that will ensure a bag can be visually checked, locked, never opened again by the TSA or anyone else while in transit, and be delivered via 'special handling' at your destination.
There is a little known rule in place by the TSA that allows a passenger to check an unloaded firearm in a securely locked hard-sided case. This rule applies to something as simple as a 'starter pistol' that requires no permit. If you slip a simple $30 starter pistol into your Pelican Case with your checked camera equipment, your camera case is now a 'gun case.'
How does this work? Let me explain
1) When you check in for your flight you declare that your checked case contains a firearm to the airline counter representative.
2) Once you have declared the weapon to the airline counter agent you must prove to them that the firearm has an empty chamber and is not loaded with any ammo.
3) Once you have satisfied the airline requirements you must present your hard-sided case, containing the firearm, to a TSA Agent.
4) The TSA screener will then visually inspect the contents of your case in front of you. By law you MUST be present as your case is inspected by the TSA Agent.
5) Following the inspection you must lock your case with a non-TSA Sentry Lock. This means that the lock you use will in no way be accessible to any TSA agents, or ramp agents, who have access to TSA Sentry Lock keys. Both key and combination locks are acceptable, however a combination lock is suggested, as is using two locks instead of one
6) Once the TSA accepts your hard-sided case, locked with two non-TSA Sentry Locks, it is identified in such a way that it will not be opened again until it delivered to your destination and is back in your hands, and you choose to unlock it.
You CANNOT check the case containing the firearm at curbside check-in. You should check with the airline you will be flying on to check what rules and regulations that may have for checking a firearm on their flights.
Personally, I strongly suggest making every effort to carry your gear on-board. Look into a combination of a backpack that can hold a significant amount of equipment. Choose a backpack that by design does not draw the attention of an airline representative and use it in conjunction with a full size roll-aboard to carry additional equipment and longer lenses.
If you cannot deal with a backpack and roll aboard for your gear, then look into the last resort and pack a starter pistol between your 400f2.8 and 600f4 inside your Pelican Case.
For the Official TSA information on traveling with a firearm check here:
www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1666.shtm
Happy Flying!
07 October 2008
Airport TSA Security Screener Busted For One-Man Theft Ring
Web: www.thetravelstrategist.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com
7/10/2008 - Airport TSA Security Screener Busted For One-Man Theft Ring
What happens when those charged with protecting the flying public become those stealing from the flying public? This has come up time-and-time again.
Nearly 300 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Transportation Screening Officers (TSO) have been discharged and arrested in the past, however a screener at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) went further than the rest.
This week Pythias Brown, a six year veteran of the TSA, was charged with dozens of counts of theft from passengers at EWR, and faces up to 10 years in Federal Prison according to Assistant US Attorney Jenny Kramer.
What ultimately caused Brown to be caught was this theft of a camera, from an HBO crew, valued at US$47,900. What does one do with a US$47,900 camera? They place it on eBay, where someone looking for the stolen camera found it.
A camera Brown had allegedly stolen from CNN was also listed on eBay at the same time Brown had the HBO camera listed on eBay.
According to lead investigator Special Agent Thomas Adams, of the US Department of Homeland Security's Office of the Inspector General, 66 camera, 12 GPS units, 11 MP3 players, 31 laptops, 8 camera lenses, 2 DVD players, 6 video cameras, 13 pieces of jewelry and 17 electronic video games were found in Browns house when it was raided last week.
When confronted with the evidence Brown confessed to the crimes. He has been placed on administrative leave from the TSA and will be terminated shortly.
I will say what I have always said; the vast majority of TSA agents do a good job. These agents do what they can to protect the flying public, and with approximately 43,000 TSOs working throughout the TSA, the number of criminal TSA TSOs is a small percentage. However there needs to be more oversight of screeners.
How does a TSA screener leave work with a large movie production camera? How does a screener leave work with 66 camera and 31 laptops with no one noticing? What else did this TSA TSO steal from passengers over the past few years? Check out his eBay feedback here: http://EWRTSOEBay.notlong.com
I am happy that HBO and CNN have received their equipment back. I am glad the US DHS stopped this one-man theft ring. Hopefully this will lead to the TSA creating a new system to check TSOs and deter future thefts from the flying public.
Happy Flying!
7/10/2008 - Airport TSA Security Screener Busted For One-Man Theft Ring
What happens when those charged with protecting the flying public become those stealing from the flying public? This has come up time-and-time again.
Nearly 300 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Transportation Screening Officers (TSO) have been discharged and arrested in the past, however a screener at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) went further than the rest.
This week Pythias Brown, a six year veteran of the TSA, was charged with dozens of counts of theft from passengers at EWR, and faces up to 10 years in Federal Prison according to Assistant US Attorney Jenny Kramer.
What ultimately caused Brown to be caught was this theft of a camera, from an HBO crew, valued at US$47,900. What does one do with a US$47,900 camera? They place it on eBay, where someone looking for the stolen camera found it.
A camera Brown had allegedly stolen from CNN was also listed on eBay at the same time Brown had the HBO camera listed on eBay.
According to lead investigator Special Agent Thomas Adams, of the US Department of Homeland Security's Office of the Inspector General, 66 camera, 12 GPS units, 11 MP3 players, 31 laptops, 8 camera lenses, 2 DVD players, 6 video cameras, 13 pieces of jewelry and 17 electronic video games were found in Browns house when it was raided last week.
When confronted with the evidence Brown confessed to the crimes. He has been placed on administrative leave from the TSA and will be terminated shortly.
I will say what I have always said; the vast majority of TSA agents do a good job. These agents do what they can to protect the flying public, and with approximately 43,000 TSOs working throughout the TSA, the number of criminal TSA TSOs is a small percentage. However there needs to be more oversight of screeners.
How does a TSA screener leave work with a large movie production camera? How does a screener leave work with 66 camera and 31 laptops with no one noticing? What else did this TSA TSO steal from passengers over the past few years? Check out his eBay feedback here: http://EWRTSOEBay.notlong.com
I am happy that HBO and CNN have received their equipment back. I am glad the US DHS stopped this one-man theft ring. Hopefully this will lead to the TSA creating a new system to check TSOs and deter future thefts from the flying public.
Happy Flying!
18 September 2008
iPhone 'App' Of The Week : TSAwait
Web: www.fishfoto.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com
18/09/2008 – iPhone 'App' Of The Week : TSAwait
Last weeks' iPhone 'App' Of The Week was "FAAwait," I thought it only natural to follow up with the iPhone 'App' TSAwait.
TSAwait is a simple 'App' that lets you check average wait times for more than 600 security check point, at more than 400 commercial airports in the United States. The information on Transportation Security Administration (TSA) airport security check point times is updated typically more than once a week based on average wait time statistics, and I have found it quite accurate the majority of the time (there is no accounting for certain occurrences that slow everything down).
Using TSAwait is simple, once you launch the 'App' you can click "Update" to see if new statistics have been loaded, or click "Access" to begin searching the airports. Airports are broken down by terminal or security check point making it extremely easy to get an accurate view of your estimated wait time at a given security entrance point.
If you know your airport's code you can enter the three-letter airport code (ie: SFO = San Francisco Int'l Airport, HVN = New Haven, CT, Tweed Airport), or you can search for your airport by state code (ie: NY = New York, WY = Wyoming).
TSAwait is a handy tool to guess how much time you need to allow yourself to get to the airport and get through security to catch your flight. There are other 'Apps' that have airport security wait times, but I have found TSAwait to be the most user friendly, and currently the most frequently updated.
TSAwait will cost you a whopping US$0.99, but for those of you who don't want to break the bank you can also download TSAwait Lite....... that will give you access to 50 random U.S. airports, none of which may be of any help to you.
Below are six screen shots of TSAwait on my iPhone
Happy Flying!
--Click Images To Enlarge--
18/09/2008 – iPhone 'App' Of The Week : TSAwait
Last weeks' iPhone 'App' Of The Week was "FAAwait," I thought it only natural to follow up with the iPhone 'App' TSAwait.
TSAwait is a simple 'App' that lets you check average wait times for more than 600 security check point, at more than 400 commercial airports in the United States. The information on Transportation Security Administration (TSA) airport security check point times is updated typically more than once a week based on average wait time statistics, and I have found it quite accurate the majority of the time (there is no accounting for certain occurrences that slow everything down).
Using TSAwait is simple, once you launch the 'App' you can click "Update" to see if new statistics have been loaded, or click "Access" to begin searching the airports. Airports are broken down by terminal or security check point making it extremely easy to get an accurate view of your estimated wait time at a given security entrance point.
If you know your airport's code you can enter the three-letter airport code (ie: SFO = San Francisco Int'l Airport, HVN = New Haven, CT, Tweed Airport), or you can search for your airport by state code (ie: NY = New York, WY = Wyoming).
TSAwait is a handy tool to guess how much time you need to allow yourself to get to the airport and get through security to catch your flight. There are other 'Apps' that have airport security wait times, but I have found TSAwait to be the most user friendly, and currently the most frequently updated.
TSAwait will cost you a whopping US$0.99, but for those of you who don't want to break the bank you can also download TSAwait Lite....... that will give you access to 50 random U.S. airports, none of which may be of any help to you.
Below are six screen shots of TSAwait on my iPhone
Happy Flying!
--Click Images To Enlarge--
21 August 2008
A Compact Toiletry Kit Bag That Is Inexpensive & Meets Airport Security Requirements
Web: www.fishfoto.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com
21/08/2008 – A Compact Toiletry Kit Bag That Is Inexpensive & Meets Airport Security Requirements
For the past few years......OK for the last who knows how many years (at least a decade) I have used a 1-quart Ziploc bag as my toiletry bag on the road. I like the Ziploc bags, they last about a year, they are easy to replace and they can hold quite a lot.
In the past few months It has come to attention that most travelers don't generally pack their toiletry bags with random soaps and shampoos they have taken from hotels and toothbrushes and combs they have liberated from airline lounges.
In an effort to 'see how the other side travels' I set out to find a simple, compact and low cost toiletry bag for those seeking an organized all-in-one kit. The majority of the toiletry kits I looked into would pose a problem under the current carry on restrictions, limiting these kits to checked baggage only. Many toiletry kits I looked at were not see through, as required by not on the US Transportation Security Administration, but also by airport security authorities around the world.
This week while wandering through a bookstore I found what I had been looking for. A simple, clear plastic, all-in-one travel toiletry kit for under US$5.00!
Paperchase Stationary, a British stationary manufacturer, produced a simple and inexpensive toiletry kit. This kit comes with two liquid soap/shampoo bottles, a perfume/cologne sprayer and two cosmetics 'dishes.' All of these are clear making them ideal for dealing with airport security. When I loaded my Paperchase Travel Accessories kit the first thing I did was remove the perfume spray bottle and two cosmetics 'dishes.' I loaded the two liquid soap bottles with some Mrs. Meyers hand soap and Aussie shampoo. From there I added a Toothbrush (courtesy of Air Canada), a comb (which was freed from a Korean Air lounge), some travel deodorant (thank you Lufthansa) a bar of soap (borrowed from a cart at the Vagabond Inn at SFO) and some travel toothpaste, which I seem to have a pile of for some reason.
All the basic toiletry accessories fit nicely into the case and for under US$5.00 how can you go wrong?
You can find the Paperchase Travel Accessories kit on Amazon.com, in some Borders Bookstores (in the US) and on Paperchases' online store (for sales in the UK only).
Do you have a favourite airport security approved toiletry kit? Let me know!
Below is a photo of the Paperchase Accessories kit and its original components .
Happy Flying!
--Click Image To Enlarge--
21/08/2008 – A Compact Toiletry Kit Bag That Is Inexpensive & Meets Airport Security Requirements
For the past few years......OK for the last who knows how many years (at least a decade) I have used a 1-quart Ziploc bag as my toiletry bag on the road. I like the Ziploc bags, they last about a year, they are easy to replace and they can hold quite a lot.
In the past few months It has come to attention that most travelers don't generally pack their toiletry bags with random soaps and shampoos they have taken from hotels and toothbrushes and combs they have liberated from airline lounges.
In an effort to 'see how the other side travels' I set out to find a simple, compact and low cost toiletry bag for those seeking an organized all-in-one kit. The majority of the toiletry kits I looked into would pose a problem under the current carry on restrictions, limiting these kits to checked baggage only. Many toiletry kits I looked at were not see through, as required by not on the US Transportation Security Administration, but also by airport security authorities around the world.
This week while wandering through a bookstore I found what I had been looking for. A simple, clear plastic, all-in-one travel toiletry kit for under US$5.00!
Paperchase Stationary, a British stationary manufacturer, produced a simple and inexpensive toiletry kit. This kit comes with two liquid soap/shampoo bottles, a perfume/cologne sprayer and two cosmetics 'dishes.' All of these are clear making them ideal for dealing with airport security. When I loaded my Paperchase Travel Accessories kit the first thing I did was remove the perfume spray bottle and two cosmetics 'dishes.' I loaded the two liquid soap bottles with some Mrs. Meyers hand soap and Aussie shampoo. From there I added a Toothbrush (courtesy of Air Canada), a comb (which was freed from a Korean Air lounge), some travel deodorant (thank you Lufthansa) a bar of soap (borrowed from a cart at the Vagabond Inn at SFO) and some travel toothpaste, which I seem to have a pile of for some reason.
All the basic toiletry accessories fit nicely into the case and for under US$5.00 how can you go wrong?
You can find the Paperchase Travel Accessories kit on Amazon.com, in some Borders Bookstores (in the US) and on Paperchases' online store (for sales in the UK only).
Do you have a favourite airport security approved toiletry kit? Let me know!
Below is a photo of the Paperchase Accessories kit and its original components .
Happy Flying!
--Click Image To Enlarge--
15 August 2008
15/08/2008-The Weekly Round Up: Is "Clear" Secure? : Proper Jetiquette : Duct Tape : Carry-on Bag Sizing : Lonely Planet iPhone App : Fish On The Move
Web: www.thetravelstrategist.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com
15/08/2008-The Weekly Round Up : Is "Clear" Secure? : Proper Jetiquette : Duct Tape : Carry-on Bag Sizing : Lonely Planet iPhone App : Fish On The Move
This week ends with Flying With Fish swimming into new waters. If you surf over to www.flyingwithfish.com between 5:00pm EST/10:00pm GMT today and sometime on Sunday and don't see the site DO NOT PANIC! Flying With Fish is simply changing web-hosts. If you e-mail me this weekend chances are I won't see it until Monday on my Blackberry. You can still view the site at : http://flyingwithfish.blogspot.com
To read more about Fish on the move, both online and off-line (not only am I getting a new online home, but I am getting a new home for my family this weekend as well!) feel free to check out: 15/08/2008 – Flying With Fish Is Moving!
This week started off with Verified Identity Pass (VIP) finding its missing laptop containing more the personal information of more than 30,000 'Clear Card' patron enrolled in the Registered Traveler Program. The loss and 'miraculous' recovery of this laptop with non-encrypted data puts the overall security and trust we place in this system at critical risk. Find out why I question VIP's security of secure data as it related to the Registered Traveler program here: 9/08/2008 - Stolen 'Registered Traveler' Laptop Found, But Is The Data Safe?
I have discussed passenger etiquette multiple times on Flying With Fish. I am a firm believer in being courteous and practicing basic etiquette while flying which is why I love the "Jetiquette Card." You can check out the Jetiquette Card, as brought to you by The Sky Steward (www.skysteward.com), and print one our for yourself by clicking on this link: 11/08/2008 - The "Jetiquette" Card : Passenger Etiquette Revisited
Looking for a simple solution to quickly identifying your bags? I have discussed baggage identification and labeling quite a few times to quickly spot your bags and deter airport thieves.........now read up on the extremely simple tools to label my bags by reading this post: 12/08/2008 - Baggage Identification With Duct Tape : A Simple Solution
With more than 10,000 laptops being lost at airports each week in the United States learn a simple technique to significantly increase your chances of being reunited with your laptop in this entry: 13/08/2008 - Don't Lose Your Laptop In The Airport (and if you do get it back again)
Is your roll-aboard bag legal for carry-on while flying on international flights? You might be surprised. Learn how to measure your bags for international carry-on specifications here: 14/08/2008 - Is Your Carry-On Bag Legal For 'International' Carry-On? Maybe Not
This week's iPhone 'App' of the Week is ideal for travelers who want a powerful tool to help them communicate in a foreign land. Lonely Planet's Audio Phrasebooks are top notch! Navigate the Lonely Planet Mandarin Audio Phrasebook here: 14/08/2008 – iPhone 'App' Of The Week : Lonely Planet Mandarin Audio Phrasebook
I'm off to finish packing up, wake up in one house to go photograph a wedding and return to an entirely different house to go to sleep when I'm done!
I'll have regular access to internet again in a week when it is all set up in the new house................so please bare with me if there are gaps in my posts next week.
Happy Flying!
15/08/2008-The Weekly Round Up : Is "Clear" Secure? : Proper Jetiquette : Duct Tape : Carry-on Bag Sizing : Lonely Planet iPhone App : Fish On The Move
This week ends with Flying With Fish swimming into new waters. If you surf over to www.flyingwithfish.com between 5:00pm EST/10:00pm GMT today and sometime on Sunday and don't see the site DO NOT PANIC! Flying With Fish is simply changing web-hosts. If you e-mail me this weekend chances are I won't see it until Monday on my Blackberry. You can still view the site at : http://flyingwithfish.blogspot.com
To read more about Fish on the move, both online and off-line (not only am I getting a new online home, but I am getting a new home for my family this weekend as well!) feel free to check out: 15/08/2008 – Flying With Fish Is Moving!
This week started off with Verified Identity Pass (VIP) finding its missing laptop containing more the personal information of more than 30,000 'Clear Card' patron enrolled in the Registered Traveler Program. The loss and 'miraculous' recovery of this laptop with non-encrypted data puts the overall security and trust we place in this system at critical risk. Find out why I question VIP's security of secure data as it related to the Registered Traveler program here: 9/08/2008 - Stolen 'Registered Traveler' Laptop Found, But Is The Data Safe?
I have discussed passenger etiquette multiple times on Flying With Fish. I am a firm believer in being courteous and practicing basic etiquette while flying which is why I love the "Jetiquette Card." You can check out the Jetiquette Card, as brought to you by The Sky Steward (www.skysteward.com), and print one our for yourself by clicking on this link: 11/08/2008 - The "Jetiquette" Card : Passenger Etiquette Revisited
Looking for a simple solution to quickly identifying your bags? I have discussed baggage identification and labeling quite a few times to quickly spot your bags and deter airport thieves.........now read up on the extremely simple tools to label my bags by reading this post: 12/08/2008 - Baggage Identification With Duct Tape : A Simple Solution
With more than 10,000 laptops being lost at airports each week in the United States learn a simple technique to significantly increase your chances of being reunited with your laptop in this entry: 13/08/2008 - Don't Lose Your Laptop In The Airport (and if you do get it back again)
Is your roll-aboard bag legal for carry-on while flying on international flights? You might be surprised. Learn how to measure your bags for international carry-on specifications here: 14/08/2008 - Is Your Carry-On Bag Legal For 'International' Carry-On? Maybe Not
This week's iPhone 'App' of the Week is ideal for travelers who want a powerful tool to help them communicate in a foreign land. Lonely Planet's Audio Phrasebooks are top notch! Navigate the Lonely Planet Mandarin Audio Phrasebook here: 14/08/2008 – iPhone 'App' Of The Week : Lonely Planet Mandarin Audio Phrasebook
I'm off to finish packing up, wake up in one house to go photograph a wedding and return to an entirely different house to go to sleep when I'm done!
I'll have regular access to internet again in a week when it is all set up in the new house................so please bare with me if there are gaps in my posts next week.
Happy Flying!
13 August 2008
Don't Lose Your Laptop In The Airport (and if you do get it back again)
Web: www.fishfotoworldwide.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com
13/08/2008 - Don't Lose Your Laptop In The Airport (and if you do get it back again)
Every week an average of more than 10,000 laptops are lost at airports in the United States. Approximately 40% of these laptops are left at the security checkpoints with another 23% being left at the boarding gate.
Surprisingly most laptops found at have no owner identification easily found on them. The lack of easily locatable owner information results in most laptops not being returned to their owners.
I know, you're reading this thinking "I'd never leave my laptop behind," but accidents happen, especially when you're late and in a hurry. I have witnessed multiple people over the past few years pick up their laptop from the X-Ray bin, set it down next to their bag, repack their bag and walk away without placing the laptop into the bag. On quite a few occasions I have watched business travelers in an airport lounge get up and walk out while leaving their laptop on the table they were sitting at (more often than not they come running back in a few minutes later to claim their laptop).
What can you do to make your contact information easily found on your laptop?
The easiest solution is to make a simple label with your name, phone number and e-mail address (if you can access your e-mail without your laptop).
My 15" Apple PowerBook has two labels side-by-side on the keyboard. These labels have my name, web address, e-mail and phone numbers for me on three continents. My 13" Apple MacBook has a label on the top left of the screen casing, this label has my name and phone numbers in both the US & UK (I am switching it over to the two side-by-side labels before my next international trip).
Should you become separated from your laptop make sure anyone who finds it can easily contact you and return it to you.
Below are two photos so each of my travel laptops depicting where my labels are placed and information available to get the laptop returned to me.
Happy Flying!
--Click Images To Enlarge Them--
13/08/2008 - Don't Lose Your Laptop In The Airport (and if you do get it back again)
Every week an average of more than 10,000 laptops are lost at airports in the United States. Approximately 40% of these laptops are left at the security checkpoints with another 23% being left at the boarding gate.
Surprisingly most laptops found at have no owner identification easily found on them. The lack of easily locatable owner information results in most laptops not being returned to their owners.
I know, you're reading this thinking "I'd never leave my laptop behind," but accidents happen, especially when you're late and in a hurry. I have witnessed multiple people over the past few years pick up their laptop from the X-Ray bin, set it down next to their bag, repack their bag and walk away without placing the laptop into the bag. On quite a few occasions I have watched business travelers in an airport lounge get up and walk out while leaving their laptop on the table they were sitting at (more often than not they come running back in a few minutes later to claim their laptop).
What can you do to make your contact information easily found on your laptop?
The easiest solution is to make a simple label with your name, phone number and e-mail address (if you can access your e-mail without your laptop).
My 15" Apple PowerBook has two labels side-by-side on the keyboard. These labels have my name, web address, e-mail and phone numbers for me on three continents. My 13" Apple MacBook has a label on the top left of the screen casing, this label has my name and phone numbers in both the US & UK (I am switching it over to the two side-by-side labels before my next international trip).
Should you become separated from your laptop make sure anyone who finds it can easily contact you and return it to you.
Below are two photos so each of my travel laptops depicting where my labels are placed and information available to get the laptop returned to me.
Happy Flying!
--Click Images To Enlarge Them--
12 August 2008
Baggage Identification With Duct Tape : A Simple Solution
Web: www.fishfoto.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com
12/08/2008 - Baggage Identification With Duct Tape : A Simple Solution
Over the past two years I have received countless e-mails asking me various solutions for labeling baggage so it is easily identifiable. I have written on the topic many times, each time detailing various ways. These topics range from how I colour code my bags to be easily spotted, to making sure my name and contact info is clearly found inside and outside of the bags.
Overall the quick and easy visual identification of my bags is carried out by the simple use of brightly coloured duct tape.
Duct tape, as everyone knows, has thousands of uses. Duct tape is used to fix heating ducts (its original purpose) to NASA's use of duct tape to keep astronauts alive on Apollo 13 (it was used to help modify the carbon dioxide filters....and again on Apollo 17 to repair a damaged fender on a lunar rover on the moon).
If duct tape can keep astronauts alive why overlook it as a simple solution to baggage identification? I generally use one colour tape on my bags so I can quickly spot my bags and to keep them all uniform. The colour I have chosen is "Flamingo Pink."
Duct tape will adhere to almost any surface and remain in place until removed, which makes it ideal for bags that will go from hot on the ramp to frozen in the baggage hold, to pouring rain waiting for your rental car.
My bags get wrapped with 1.88in (4.77cm) tape on the top and side handles, then additional tape on the front, back and remaining untaped side. By placing florescent coloured tape on all four sides of my bag not only can I identify my bag quickly, but also airport and baggage thieves are deterred from approaching my bag.
As I have also discussed many times in the past airport thieves want an easy target and a piece of luggage wrapped clearly in multiple places in extremely bright (and in some cases bordering on obnoxious) tape is not a bag they want to try and blend into the crowd with.
While I also use coloured electrical tape and gaffers tape on my equipment and personal items, my bags are primarily taped in duct tape. In the United States the easiest tape to find (in my experience) is Duck brand duct tape, however for ease of purchase when buying 'matching' duct tape, vinyl tape, electrical tape and gaffers tape I have not found any place that equals the quality and selection offered by TapeBrothers.com
Below is a photo of three rolls of duct tape I have on my shelf for labeling various pieces of travel gear. These three rolls of 'Duck Tape' are coloured Blaze Orange, Island Lime and Funky Flamingo (which is on my bags).
Happy Flying!
--Click Image To Enlarge--
12/08/2008 - Baggage Identification With Duct Tape : A Simple Solution
Over the past two years I have received countless e-mails asking me various solutions for labeling baggage so it is easily identifiable. I have written on the topic many times, each time detailing various ways. These topics range from how I colour code my bags to be easily spotted, to making sure my name and contact info is clearly found inside and outside of the bags.
Overall the quick and easy visual identification of my bags is carried out by the simple use of brightly coloured duct tape.
Duct tape, as everyone knows, has thousands of uses. Duct tape is used to fix heating ducts (its original purpose) to NASA's use of duct tape to keep astronauts alive on Apollo 13 (it was used to help modify the carbon dioxide filters....and again on Apollo 17 to repair a damaged fender on a lunar rover on the moon).
If duct tape can keep astronauts alive why overlook it as a simple solution to baggage identification? I generally use one colour tape on my bags so I can quickly spot my bags and to keep them all uniform. The colour I have chosen is "Flamingo Pink."
Duct tape will adhere to almost any surface and remain in place until removed, which makes it ideal for bags that will go from hot on the ramp to frozen in the baggage hold, to pouring rain waiting for your rental car.
My bags get wrapped with 1.88in (4.77cm) tape on the top and side handles, then additional tape on the front, back and remaining untaped side. By placing florescent coloured tape on all four sides of my bag not only can I identify my bag quickly, but also airport and baggage thieves are deterred from approaching my bag.
As I have also discussed many times in the past airport thieves want an easy target and a piece of luggage wrapped clearly in multiple places in extremely bright (and in some cases bordering on obnoxious) tape is not a bag they want to try and blend into the crowd with.
While I also use coloured electrical tape and gaffers tape on my equipment and personal items, my bags are primarily taped in duct tape. In the United States the easiest tape to find (in my experience) is Duck brand duct tape, however for ease of purchase when buying 'matching' duct tape, vinyl tape, electrical tape and gaffers tape I have not found any place that equals the quality and selection offered by TapeBrothers.com
Below is a photo of three rolls of duct tape I have on my shelf for labeling various pieces of travel gear. These three rolls of 'Duck Tape' are coloured Blaze Orange, Island Lime and Funky Flamingo (which is on my bags).
Happy Flying!
--Click Image To Enlarge--
09 August 2008
Stolen 'Registered Traveler' Laptop Found...But Is The Data Safe?
Web: www.fishfotoworldwide.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com
9/08/2008 - Stolen 'Registered Traveler' Laptop Found, But Is The Data Safe?
Earlier this week I had written about a laptop being stolen containing the data of more than 30,000 'Clear' card users from a Verified Identity Pass (VIP) office at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Verified Identity Pass operated the 'Clear' card program at 17 airports throughout the United States under the Registered Traveler Program.
I have received multiple e-mails asking why I had not written about the stolen laptop being found this past Tuesday, the day I wrote this entry: 5/08/2008 - 'Clear' Registered Traveler User Information Stolen
I had not written about the laptop being 'found' in the very office it was reported missing from 10 days earlier for a simple reason. This reason is that no one from VIP has been able to explain why VIP was delayed in reporting the theft to the US Department of Homeland Security (US DHS) and they are unable to explain where the laptop was for 10 days.
Authorities searched the office and it was clearly not in the office it went missing from. Ten days later the laptop 'magically' reappears in plain site in the very office it was stolen from. The laptop was clearly not 'found', it was not 'recovered,' it was returned.
Steve Brill, CEO of VIP states "We don't believe the security or privacy of these would-be members will be compromised in any way." Considering the laptop, containing sensitive information regarding more than 30,000 people, was unaccounted for and outside of a secure environment, for more than 10 days with completely unencrypted data how can this statement be made?
It is possible that no harm was done directly to the laptop. After speaking with a few computer security experts they all have a similar scenario suggestion that the laptop's hard drive was simply cloned. Cloning a hard drive appears to be fairly simple according these computer experts. These experts almost all universally agree that accessing a hard drive only protected by two passwords, rather than encrypted data, would be fairly simple to crack for an experienced hacker.
So, while I am happy to hear that the laptop has been returned to VIP, I do not believe the data related to "Clear's" Registered Traveler Program is secure. The information contained on the stolen laptop could very easily be used to steal the identity of those who had their information stored on the hard drive by VIP.
At this time the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is continuing the suspension of enrollment for new 'Clear' users.
Happy Flying!
9/08/2008 - Stolen 'Registered Traveler' Laptop Found, But Is The Data Safe?
Earlier this week I had written about a laptop being stolen containing the data of more than 30,000 'Clear' card users from a Verified Identity Pass (VIP) office at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Verified Identity Pass operated the 'Clear' card program at 17 airports throughout the United States under the Registered Traveler Program.
I have received multiple e-mails asking why I had not written about the stolen laptop being found this past Tuesday, the day I wrote this entry: 5/08/2008 - 'Clear' Registered Traveler User Information Stolen
I had not written about the laptop being 'found' in the very office it was reported missing from 10 days earlier for a simple reason. This reason is that no one from VIP has been able to explain why VIP was delayed in reporting the theft to the US Department of Homeland Security (US DHS) and they are unable to explain where the laptop was for 10 days.
Authorities searched the office and it was clearly not in the office it went missing from. Ten days later the laptop 'magically' reappears in plain site in the very office it was stolen from. The laptop was clearly not 'found', it was not 'recovered,' it was returned.
Steve Brill, CEO of VIP states "We don't believe the security or privacy of these would-be members will be compromised in any way." Considering the laptop, containing sensitive information regarding more than 30,000 people, was unaccounted for and outside of a secure environment, for more than 10 days with completely unencrypted data how can this statement be made?
It is possible that no harm was done directly to the laptop. After speaking with a few computer security experts they all have a similar scenario suggestion that the laptop's hard drive was simply cloned. Cloning a hard drive appears to be fairly simple according these computer experts. These experts almost all universally agree that accessing a hard drive only protected by two passwords, rather than encrypted data, would be fairly simple to crack for an experienced hacker.
So, while I am happy to hear that the laptop has been returned to VIP, I do not believe the data related to "Clear's" Registered Traveler Program is secure. The information contained on the stolen laptop could very easily be used to steal the identity of those who had their information stored on the hard drive by VIP.
At this time the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is continuing the suspension of enrollment for new 'Clear' users.
Happy Flying!
02 August 2008
Audio Clip Of Flying With Fish On the Charles Adler Radio Show Now Available
Web: www.thetravelstrategist.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com
2/08/2008 - Audio Clip Of Flying With Fish On the Charles Adler Radio Show Now Available
This past Thursday I was a guest on the Charles Adler Show, a talk radio who that is broadcast throughout Canada.
Yesterday an audio clip from the show was sent to me, and Scott Sheppard, the host of Inside Digital Photo Radio cleaned up the audio and spliced the two audio files together for me.......Thanks Scott!
For those of you who were unable to tune into the radio show on Thursday, you can listen to my segment discussing airport theft at this link:
http://media.libsyn.com/media/insidemedianetworks/fish.mp3
Happy Flying!
2/08/2008 - Audio Clip Of Flying With Fish On the Charles Adler Radio Show Now Available
This past Thursday I was a guest on the Charles Adler Show, a talk radio who that is broadcast throughout Canada.
Yesterday an audio clip from the show was sent to me, and Scott Sheppard, the host of Inside Digital Photo Radio cleaned up the audio and spliced the two audio files together for me.......Thanks Scott!
For those of you who were unable to tune into the radio show on Thursday, you can listen to my segment discussing airport theft at this link:
http://media.libsyn.com/media/insidemedianetworks/fish.mp3
Happy Flying!
01 August 2008
1/08/2008-The Weekly Round Up : Travel Sized Essentials; Check-In Kiosk Theft; iPhone App Of The Week; Emirates Goes Off Line; Your Laptop & US Custom
Web: www.fishfotoworldwide.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com
1/08/2008-The Weekly Round Up : Travel Sized Essentials; Check-In Kiosk Theft; Flying With Fish Community; iPhone App Of The Week; Flying With Fish On The Air; Emirates Goes Off Line; US Customs Policy On Searching Your Data
What a seemingly long week it has been. The airline industry stocks have risen slightly with the minor drop in oil prices, yet airlines such as Northwest Airlines have announced increased in airfares. This week I've written about thieves stealing from passengers while never setting foot in the airport and a major international airline making a major marketing mistake in the middle of their most important marketing campaign.
Diversity in stories makes what I do a little more fun sometimes
This week began with a trivial topic of being able to find travel sized 'creature comforts,' at an online shop that only sells travel sized essentials.....and not so essentials. To find out more on where to find your travel sized essentials and creature comforts check out: 28/07/2008 - One Stop Shopping For Travel Sized Essentials
When many travelers check-in at the airport they think nothing of using their credit card in the machine to verify their identity. Recently a security breach has been found in some check-in kiosks at Toronto's Pearson Airport (YYZ) that might make travelers rethink their choice in using a credit card to check in. Find out more about this here:
29/07/2008 – Are Thieves Using Self Check-in Kiosks?
This past week I started thinking about creating a community where readers of Flying With Fish could share information among themselves. The world is a small community, and shared information is a valuable asset to those heading out on the road. Interested in joining a free community of like-minded travelers? Find out how to join the 'Travel_Planning' community on LiveJournal in this post: 30/07/2008 – Flying With Fish Community For LiveJournal Users
I was recently given an iPhone (original iPhone) to start using as an effective travel tool. This week was my first entry of "iPhone 'App' Of The Week." This will hopefully become a regular series on Flying With Fish. This new series kicked off with the Travelocity App. Find out why I like the Travelocity App for life on the road here: 30/07/2008 – iPhone 'App' Of The Week : iPhone Tools For Road Warriors
On Thursday I was contacted by the Charles Adler Show, a popular talk radio show that is broadcast through Canada to be a guest on the show. The topic is one I have discussed often on Flying With Fish, airport thefts and how to protect yourself. I should have an audio clip of the show shortly and will post in when I receive it. To learn more about the how visit this entry: 31/07/2008 – Flying With Fish Featured On A Canadian National Radio Show Today......Tune In!
I ended July with a post that should remind anyone to go check their domain expiration dates! This past week while Emirates was in the midst of their largest marketing campaign ever to publicize the launch of their Airbus A380 service between Dubai (DXB) and New York (JFK) they failed to renew their domain name. When potential passengers logged onto the airline's website they were briefly met by a generic domain host placeholder page. To read more on this subject, and see screen shots of both the 'place holder' page and the current web page click on: 31/07/2008 – Emirates 'Goes Off Line' (no, they didn't go out of business......just off line)
Since a 2006 ruling by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, US Customs and Boarder Protection (US CBP) Agents have the authority to search all electronic materials entering the United States without probably cause. This has been an on going concern that for some reason finally made the cover of The Washington Post today. While many have been following the potential problems this authorization by the US CBP may have for travelers it seems that now it is now finally come into the view of the 'mainstream media.' To find out some options you may have to safe guard your data check here:
1/08/2008 – US Customs Has The Right To Search Your Laptop Without Cause : What You Can Do
For those of you looking for topics not covered this week, why not check out two cool 'how to' articles on Popular Photography's web site (one is really a 'how not to' article)? Check out the two articles by clicking the links below
- Six Vacation Photos That Can Kill You
- Five Out Of The Ordinary Photo Trips
......and remember to check out Come Fly With Fish for information on two up coming hands on, feet on the ground, fast paced, photo workshops. Sitting around wondering if you could tackle five great cities in Europe in five days? Day dreaming around shooting on four continents, a sub-continent and in nearly a dozen world-class cities in less than two week? Visit www.comeflywithfish.com
Happy Flying!
1/08/2008-The Weekly Round Up : Travel Sized Essentials; Check-In Kiosk Theft; Flying With Fish Community; iPhone App Of The Week; Flying With Fish On The Air; Emirates Goes Off Line; US Customs Policy On Searching Your Data
What a seemingly long week it has been. The airline industry stocks have risen slightly with the minor drop in oil prices, yet airlines such as Northwest Airlines have announced increased in airfares. This week I've written about thieves stealing from passengers while never setting foot in the airport and a major international airline making a major marketing mistake in the middle of their most important marketing campaign.
Diversity in stories makes what I do a little more fun sometimes
This week began with a trivial topic of being able to find travel sized 'creature comforts,' at an online shop that only sells travel sized essentials.....and not so essentials. To find out more on where to find your travel sized essentials and creature comforts check out: 28/07/2008 - One Stop Shopping For Travel Sized Essentials
When many travelers check-in at the airport they think nothing of using their credit card in the machine to verify their identity. Recently a security breach has been found in some check-in kiosks at Toronto's Pearson Airport (YYZ) that might make travelers rethink their choice in using a credit card to check in. Find out more about this here:
29/07/2008 – Are Thieves Using Self Check-in Kiosks?
This past week I started thinking about creating a community where readers of Flying With Fish could share information among themselves. The world is a small community, and shared information is a valuable asset to those heading out on the road. Interested in joining a free community of like-minded travelers? Find out how to join the 'Travel_Planning' community on LiveJournal in this post: 30/07/2008 – Flying With Fish Community For LiveJournal Users
I was recently given an iPhone (original iPhone) to start using as an effective travel tool. This week was my first entry of "iPhone 'App' Of The Week." This will hopefully become a regular series on Flying With Fish. This new series kicked off with the Travelocity App. Find out why I like the Travelocity App for life on the road here: 30/07/2008 – iPhone 'App' Of The Week : iPhone Tools For Road Warriors
On Thursday I was contacted by the Charles Adler Show, a popular talk radio show that is broadcast through Canada to be a guest on the show. The topic is one I have discussed often on Flying With Fish, airport thefts and how to protect yourself. I should have an audio clip of the show shortly and will post in when I receive it. To learn more about the how visit this entry: 31/07/2008 – Flying With Fish Featured On A Canadian National Radio Show Today......Tune In!
I ended July with a post that should remind anyone to go check their domain expiration dates! This past week while Emirates was in the midst of their largest marketing campaign ever to publicize the launch of their Airbus A380 service between Dubai (DXB) and New York (JFK) they failed to renew their domain name. When potential passengers logged onto the airline's website they were briefly met by a generic domain host placeholder page. To read more on this subject, and see screen shots of both the 'place holder' page and the current web page click on: 31/07/2008 – Emirates 'Goes Off Line' (no, they didn't go out of business......just off line)
Since a 2006 ruling by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, US Customs and Boarder Protection (US CBP) Agents have the authority to search all electronic materials entering the United States without probably cause. This has been an on going concern that for some reason finally made the cover of The Washington Post today. While many have been following the potential problems this authorization by the US CBP may have for travelers it seems that now it is now finally come into the view of the 'mainstream media.' To find out some options you may have to safe guard your data check here:
1/08/2008 – US Customs Has The Right To Search Your Laptop Without Cause : What You Can Do
For those of you looking for topics not covered this week, why not check out two cool 'how to' articles on Popular Photography's web site (one is really a 'how not to' article)? Check out the two articles by clicking the links below
- Six Vacation Photos That Can Kill You
- Five Out Of The Ordinary Photo Trips
......and remember to check out Come Fly With Fish for information on two up coming hands on, feet on the ground, fast paced, photo workshops. Sitting around wondering if you could tackle five great cities in Europe in five days? Day dreaming around shooting on four continents, a sub-continent and in nearly a dozen world-class cities in less than two week? Visit www.comeflywithfish.com
Happy Flying!
US Customs Has The Right To Search Your Laptop Without Cause : What You Can Do
Web: www.fishfoto.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com
1/08/2008 – US Customs Has The Right To Search Your Laptop Without Cause : What You Can Do
Over the past few weeks there have been many discussions between business travelers related to the U.S Customs & Boarder Protection's (US CBP) announcement that have the absolute right to detain laptops and all other digital storage devices for the review of the data upon entry into the United States. This full disclosure from US CBP was released on the 16th of July 2008 and was previously supported by ruling dating back to 2006 by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (9th Circuit Court).
I am discussing this today because of a flurry of e-mail received this morning regarding an article in the Washington Post today regarding this subject. I'm not sure why the Washington Post decided to place this on page A1 this morning, as it is not breaking news, but a long standing US CBP policy that is not new.
So what does this mean for travelers entering the United States when crossing through a US CBP screening area? It means that anything you have with you, from a Post-It note in your pocket to your Blackberry is subject to being detained and reviewed. The US CBP is able to review anything they'd like without any probably cause or suspicion and this can happen to anyone, both foreigners entering the United States and United States Citizens.
While the policy is alarming to many it has been in place for years, even prior to the 2006 ruling by the 9th Circuit Court. When you enter the United States (or most any other country) the area between your gate the terminal you are not technically admitted to the country yet. Even once your passport has been stamped you may still be stopped by Customs and have your bags checked at their discretion and without cause, because you are not in the country yet. Once you cross through the exit into the public space in the terminal THEN you are in the country and then you can argue your liberties (depending on the country).
I am not going to go into the details what the reasoning behind the policy established by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (US DHS) and the US CBP, but I will give some business travelers options on how to avoid these problems should you get stopped.
Clearly the biggest issue is for those that work in professions that require confidentiality, such as lawyers, doctors, government contractors, technology, etc. Having anyone review your documents can technically be illegal, and this is especially true of those in the medical field. This US CBP policy directly conflicts with doctor-patient laws in the United States.
If you worry about your data being reviewed you can use software that fully backs up your computer, then you can wipe the hard drive and enter the United States with a clean computer. One way some business are doing this is by using software, such as TrueCrypt, to back up the computer in it's entirely, uploading the file created by TrueCrypt to an FTP site, then wiping the computer clean. Upon entry into the United States not only is the data protected by an encrypted password, but also the computer is essentially clean. If you choose to unlock the computer for the US CBP they can see nothing by a clean machine.
Some business travelers who use Mac have been backing up their entire system via Apple's TimeMachine, then FedExing that drive home, overnight while uploading the last un-backed up files to an FTP then wiping the machine. Again, working this way allows you to cross US CBP with a totally clean machine; there is no data for US CBP to review. When you get home you hook the external drive to the laptop and fully restore the laptop (including software) to how it was before you wiped the drive.
I know these are extreme measures, and there is nothing on my laptop that could be used against me by the US CBP, however since they give no indication of what they are looking for or what is determined to be data that could link me to a 'terrorist cell' I do worry about them searching my computer.
For years I documented homeland security as a news photographer. During this time I made thousands of images of the TSA, Airport Police, US Coast Guard operation, US Immigrations, US Customs and other 'national security' agencies. What happens when they comb my computer and find some images in portfolios and subfolder on the subject that show detailed images of airport security that are really no threat at all? Would I be subject to detainment? What happens when they pull up a photo of me standing on the roof of Basrah International Airport (BSR) in Iraq where you can clearly read the airport name in both English and Arabic behind me?
I have not found a good solution to backing up and wiping a Blackberry so if any of you have suggestions for this feel free to let me know.
I leave you with these wise words from a Founding Father of the United States, Benjamin Franklin - "They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."
Happy Flying!
1/08/2008 – US Customs Has The Right To Search Your Laptop Without Cause : What You Can Do
Over the past few weeks there have been many discussions between business travelers related to the U.S Customs & Boarder Protection's (US CBP) announcement that have the absolute right to detain laptops and all other digital storage devices for the review of the data upon entry into the United States. This full disclosure from US CBP was released on the 16th of July 2008 and was previously supported by ruling dating back to 2006 by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (9th Circuit Court).
I am discussing this today because of a flurry of e-mail received this morning regarding an article in the Washington Post today regarding this subject. I'm not sure why the Washington Post decided to place this on page A1 this morning, as it is not breaking news, but a long standing US CBP policy that is not new.
So what does this mean for travelers entering the United States when crossing through a US CBP screening area? It means that anything you have with you, from a Post-It note in your pocket to your Blackberry is subject to being detained and reviewed. The US CBP is able to review anything they'd like without any probably cause or suspicion and this can happen to anyone, both foreigners entering the United States and United States Citizens.
While the policy is alarming to many it has been in place for years, even prior to the 2006 ruling by the 9th Circuit Court. When you enter the United States (or most any other country) the area between your gate the terminal you are not technically admitted to the country yet. Even once your passport has been stamped you may still be stopped by Customs and have your bags checked at their discretion and without cause, because you are not in the country yet. Once you cross through the exit into the public space in the terminal THEN you are in the country and then you can argue your liberties (depending on the country).
I am not going to go into the details what the reasoning behind the policy established by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (US DHS) and the US CBP, but I will give some business travelers options on how to avoid these problems should you get stopped.
Clearly the biggest issue is for those that work in professions that require confidentiality, such as lawyers, doctors, government contractors, technology, etc. Having anyone review your documents can technically be illegal, and this is especially true of those in the medical field. This US CBP policy directly conflicts with doctor-patient laws in the United States.
If you worry about your data being reviewed you can use software that fully backs up your computer, then you can wipe the hard drive and enter the United States with a clean computer. One way some business are doing this is by using software, such as TrueCrypt, to back up the computer in it's entirely, uploading the file created by TrueCrypt to an FTP site, then wiping the computer clean. Upon entry into the United States not only is the data protected by an encrypted password, but also the computer is essentially clean. If you choose to unlock the computer for the US CBP they can see nothing by a clean machine.
Some business travelers who use Mac have been backing up their entire system via Apple's TimeMachine, then FedExing that drive home, overnight while uploading the last un-backed up files to an FTP then wiping the machine. Again, working this way allows you to cross US CBP with a totally clean machine; there is no data for US CBP to review. When you get home you hook the external drive to the laptop and fully restore the laptop (including software) to how it was before you wiped the drive.
I know these are extreme measures, and there is nothing on my laptop that could be used against me by the US CBP, however since they give no indication of what they are looking for or what is determined to be data that could link me to a 'terrorist cell' I do worry about them searching my computer.
For years I documented homeland security as a news photographer. During this time I made thousands of images of the TSA, Airport Police, US Coast Guard operation, US Immigrations, US Customs and other 'national security' agencies. What happens when they comb my computer and find some images in portfolios and subfolder on the subject that show detailed images of airport security that are really no threat at all? Would I be subject to detainment? What happens when they pull up a photo of me standing on the roof of Basrah International Airport (BSR) in Iraq where you can clearly read the airport name in both English and Arabic behind me?
I have not found a good solution to backing up and wiping a Blackberry so if any of you have suggestions for this feel free to let me know.
I leave you with these wise words from a Founding Father of the United States, Benjamin Franklin - "They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."
Happy Flying!
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