New TSA Public Service Push To Educate Travelers

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

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!

26/10/2008 – The Weekly Round Up : PDA Boarding Passes : Miles Scam : Mountainsmith Parallax : Airport Etiquette : New TSA Rules , etc, etc

Web: www.fishfotoworldwide.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com

26/10/2008 – The Weekly Round Up : PDA Boarding Passes : Miles Scam : Mountainsmith Parallax : Airport Etiquette : New TSA Rules , etc, etc

I'll kick this week's Weekly Round Up off with exciting news regarding the future of Flying With Fish. In the near future Flying With Fish will be packing up its posts, heading over to the counter to check-in and then fly on over to BoardingArea.com Boarding Area is home to some of the blogs I regularly read. To find out more about where Flying With Fish is headed check out : 23/10/2008 - Flying With Fish Is Flying Over To Boarding Area

..........as Flying With Fish flies over to its new home I plan on creating a somewhat regular schedule of updated airline and travel related posts on Twitter. You can find sign up for the travel snippets at www.twitter.com/flyingwithfish

This week started and ended with the discussion of the gaping security flaws in the U.S. Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) policies and systems. Both entries involving the TSA address the same issue, the lack of any true security in the verification of paper boarding passes.

The first of the two TSA-boarding pass related entries discusses the new allowance of Mobile Phone/PDA based boarding passes. With this new system flyers can download their boarding pass, with an encrypted bar code, and present it at the TSA security checkpoint and again at the gate. This system is now in place at 8 security checkpoints (yes, 8 airline specific check points, not 8 airports) throughout the United States. While this new system allows for secure verification of PDA based boarding passes, it does not address the significant problems related to forged paper based boarding passes. For more information, click here: 20/10/2008 – TSA Rolls Out PDA Based Boarding Pass : A Security Double Standard

The second of two TSA-boarding pass related entries points out the significant flaws in the new Department of Homeland Security & Transportation Security Administration's new policy requiring that all passengers in the U.S., or traveling to the U.S., will be required to supply their full name and date of birth before being issues a boarding pass. This new system may sound effective, but it does nothing to address how easy it is to purchase a boarding pass using someone else's information then forge the paper-boarding pass when checking in online. To learn more about how ineffective these new security policy is read this: 24/10/2008 - U.S. Flyers Required To Provide Full Name & Date-of-Birth In 2009

Everyday criminals devise new scams. This week I became aware of a new scam when I received an envelope in the mail containing my flight itinerary for six flights throughout Europe in early December. All the flights were marked as 'confirmed' and I was excited for this trip........until I realized it was not my trip! A phone call to United Airlines lead me to find out that there is a new scam to steal frequent flyer miles. Interested in how this came works? Check here: 21/10/2008 – Mail From United Airlines That I Wish Was True : New Scam To Steal Frequent Flyer Miles

While packing to head out on the road for a few days I reached into my closet full of camera bags and pulled out a favourite do-it-all bag. I have come to describe the Parallax as a "clown car" bag because is compact in size yet never ending in what I can pack in it. To see how I packed this bag visit this entry here: 22/10/2008 – The Mountainsmith Parallax Photo Backpack : Revisited

This week I revisited a topic I like to discuss on Flying With Fish...etiquette. While I might not know which fork to use at a 5-star restaurant, and I have no idea how to properly greet members of the British Royal Family, I do know the basics of travel etiquette. One thing I see often that I cannot stand is flyers verbally abusing airline representatives at the airport. Airline representatives can have a very stressful job due to circumstances well outside their control...and you shouldn't make their job any more stressful. To read more on airport etiquette click here: 23/10/2008 - Airport Etiquette : Gate Agents Are Not There For Your Verbal Abuse

That wraps up this past week.

Happy Flying!

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!

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!

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!

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!

Missing Items From Checked Baggage : Who Do You Contact?

Web: www.fishfoto.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com

14/10/2008 – Missing Items From Checked Baggage : Who Do You Contact?

It is all too common that I hear stories of people missing items from their checked baggage. I hear this more often from U.S. travelers than flyers from anywhere else in the world on a regular basis (then again, I don't know anyone who travels through Lagos on a regular basis).

When an item is missing from your checked baggage, whom do you contact? This is a very confusing question. This question leads to the round-robin finger-pointing extravaganza. Once you check your baggage, your bag passes through multiple hands before getting on the plane.

At most U.S. airports there are primarily two scenarios for checking your baggage with an airline to be placed in the aircraft's baggage hold for your journey.

Scenario #1: You check in you hand your bags to the airline counter agent. The counter agent tags your bag then takes your bag. From the counter the bag goes down a belt and passes into an area where the TSA has control of your bag for inspection. Following TSA inspection the bag is passed back to the airline for sorting to your flight.

Scenario #2: You check in and the airline counter agent tags your bag. Once your bag is tagged, you then take your bag to a TSA screening checkpoint. You personally deliver the bag to the TSA for inspection, and then wait for the TSA to screen your bag (in some airports you drop the bag off then walk away). Once your bag is inspected, the TSA hands the bag to a contractor who delivers the bags to a baggage-sorting belt, or back to your airline. Once the bags are dropped off they are then often screened a second time by the TSA while being sorted and delivered to your airline's ramp services. Following this secondary TSA screening, the bags are then returned to your airline for sorting to your flight.

Since checked baggage passes through the TSA and the airline, as well as a 3rd party at times, it is hard to pin-point who may have accessed your bag. Once you report it to your airlines chances are they will immediately inform you that you must contact the TSA. Upon contacting the TSA chances are they will tell you to fill out some forms, then deny your claim.

You can lock your bags using TSA Approved 'Sentry Locks." The problem with Sentry Locks is that not only do TSA agents have access to the Sentry Lock keys, but also others in the airport can somewhat easily gain access to these keys.

If you are traveling with anything of value in your checked baggage your best bet is to insure your bag and the contents. Should anything go missing, the cold hard truth is that you should contact your insurance company.

Until there is some sort of oversight in place for baggage screening, both the airlines and the TSA will continue to send travelers in long frustrating circles. I have a number of ideas for creating a security oversight system for checked baggage, however I'm sure the TSA is not interested in my opinions.

Check with you insurance carrier regarding your coverage and make sure you're covered.

Happy Flying!

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!

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!

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--

'Clear' Registered Traveler User Information Stolen

Web: www.fishfotoworldwide.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com

5/08/2008 - 'Clear' Registered Traveler User Information Stolen

For the past few days I have been reading rumours and reports of a laptop being stolen from the Verified Identity Pass company office on the 26th of July, at San Francisco International Airport (SFO).

What is the big deal with a company laptop being stolen from a company office? Normally it is not such a big deal, unless that company operates the "Clear" card scheme and is in charge of maintaining and operating the "Registered Traveler" program in the United States.

When a laptop was stolen from the Verified Identity Pass office the security of the Registered Traveler program was compromised. The laptop contained the personal information of more than 33,000 Clear applicants and users. To make matters worse, none of this information was encrypted. The Clear-users file had only a double password to gain access. The files are far from secure as a skilled hacker can get past two passwords and enter a non-encrypted file with some finesse.

What kind of information does this laptop contain in regard to more than 33,000 Clear card users? All the information you would need to steal someone's identity. These files include names, date of birth, address, social security numbers and in many files a Clear Card users drivers license and/or passport number of Clear users.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has suspended any new applicants from seeking to sign up for the Clear card. While the TSA has suspended this application process at this time it does mean that the overall security of Registered Traveler program has been compromised. The TSA is charged with the security of the traveling public and Verified Identity Pass is a private company that oversees the security of the Registered Traveler program. How can these two entities place the very sensitive information of 33,000 Clear users into a file that is not encrypted?

Shouldn't the actual use of the Clear lane be suspended at this time? With all this stolen data can we trust the true identity of those who will be applying for a Clear card in the future? Is it possible that an identity thief can use the stolen date of those who are in the Clear system without a passport to request all the required documents to illegally get a passport? With this valuable piece of identification can the identity thief now apply for Clear to be a "Registered Traveler" and provide their person biometrics with a false identity gained through Verified Identity Pass' inability to keep secure and sensitive data secure?

I very recently was reconsidering looking into the Clear system again to speed up travel through certain airports. I had decided against Clear in the past and now in-light of Verified Identity Pass' blatant inability to keep data secure I have to question the overall use of the system to keep the flying public secure as well.

Happy Flying!

Anatomy Of An Airport Security Checkpoint

Web: www.fishfotoworldwide.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com

2/07/2008 - Anatomy Of An Airport Security Checkpoint

I frequently discuss topics related to airport security on Flying With Fish, however this morning as I crossed the security checkpoint at New York's JFK International Airport Terminal 7, having been awake for just under 22 hours, I realized some infrequent flyers who read this site may not know the details of a security check point. What caused me to have this revelation? It is the fact that each morning at JFK Terminal 7, as the TSA Security Screening Checkpoint opens, right around 4:45am, chaos erupts in the terminal.

The security line normally starts at the doors to enter the screening process and tends to end at the back of the terminal, usually wrapping around the corner just a bit. As the line slowly moves tensions seem to rise as passengers cut the line; private security boarding pass checkers never utters a single word to you as they grab at the boarding pass in your hand seemingly without rhyme or reason; the single line gets split into two lines; airport staff rapidly darts through the passengers and cut the line to jump to the front of the line; "CLEAR Card" users start filtering to the direct front of line........then you meet the ID checker. Today the TSA ID Checker demanded that each passenger declare their "3-1-1" bags and she visually inspected them before sending people down the line to the actual security check point (I declared I had no "3-1-1" bag, I didn't feel like taking my backpack off twice, as it is not the ID Checkers job to inspect your baggage or ask to see the contents of your 3-1-1 bag).

After collecting my shoes, baseball hat, the camera that was on my shoulder, stuffing my "3-1-1" bag into my backpack, stuffing my laptop back into my backpack and throwing my camera belt/pouch system over my shoulder, I looked back at a long line of very confused passengers. I'd have to think if I didn't deal with airport security on a regular basis and I was faced with all this confusion at 4:45am, with no one explaining the process, I’d probably get a little frazzled.

In reality nearly all airport security checkpoints around the world are quite uniform in the process of security procedures.

So in the simplest terms the following is 'The Anatomy Of An Airport Security-Screening Checkpoint.'

1) The Line Up -- The Line Up is simple. It is where passengers begin to line up to enter the security-screening checkpoint. You only enter the security-screening checkpoint once you have your boarding pass (yes, I have seen people get all the way through the line only to be turned away because they forgot to pick up their boarding pass).

2) The Barker -- 'The Barker' is the security person who walks up and down the line 'barking' that you should have your boarding pass and valid photo identification out and available for inspection, that your laptop should be out of your bag for x-ray inspection and that you are only entitled to only pass through security with no more than 3oz of liquids in each container, these containers must be in one single 1-quart bag and only one bag per person (hence '3-1-1' bag). These people may also split a single line into two lines, ask to see you boarding pass and at times just intimidate inexperienced travelers.

3) The ID Checker -- This is the security person at the 'entrance' to the actual screening process. This person inspects your photo identification (usually a passport or drivers license) and your travel documents to make sure your name/face match those on your boarding pass.

4) The Long Table -- The actual x-ray and metal detector process usually begins with a long table with plastic bins. This is where you remove your shoes (if required); your laptop (if required); your 3-1-1 bag (now virtually universal at all security). You also want to start making sure you have no metal on you, this means place your coins, keys, mobile phone, etc in a secure pocket, or inside one of your bags.

5) The Bins -- Every 'Long Table' has 'The Bins.' 'The Bins' are where you'll place your shoes, jacket, laptop and other lose items. For tips on how to easily get through the x-ray process you can view my segment on ABC News' Good Morning America here : Flying With Fish On Good Morning America.

6) The X-Ray Scanner -- At the end of the 'Long Table" is the X-Ray Scanner and its conveyor belt. You want to place your bags and bins in the X-Ray scanner. Remember that bins go in vertically NOT horizontally. Make sure you witness your bags entering the X-Ray scanner before proceeding to the next step, and from that moment never take your eyes off the 'exit' of the x-ray scanner! Also remember to keep your boarding pass out and in your hand, do not place that through with your bags and bins.

7) The Metal Detector -- Once your bags and bins are in the x-ray scanner (and your boarding pass is in your hand!) you'll line up for the metal detector. Always wait outside the metal detector until the security personnel have motioned for you to pass through the metal detector. Before passing through pat yourself down to check for any metal items you may have missed. If you have any loose metal items declare them before you go through the metal detector.

7a) The Metal Detector Wand (if you set off the alarm)-- 'The Wand' is a simple hand held metal detector used by security personnel to check passengers who have set off the metal detector multiple times. You are usually hold your arms out and are 'traced' with the wand to find the source of the metal.

8) The Rollout -- 'The Roll-Out' is the end of the X-Ray scanner where you retrieve your bags-n-bins. Pay attention that you have all your items and that they have exited the x-ray scanner before walking off. Take your items methodically from the x-ray scanner and if you must 'put yourself back together' do so at the chair or benches away from the x-ray scanner. By moving away from the x-ray scanner you're not only allowing other passengers to proceed through, but you're also moving to a calmer environment to put your shoes on, put your laptop away, put your 3-1-1 bag away and retrieve the small metal items you have placed in a pocket or a bag.

9) The Bag Check (should your carry on bag need a secondary screening) -- There seem to be few words dreaded more than hearing "BAG CHECK LANE 7" (or whatever lane you're in) for many passengers. Honestly, I know what my carry on bags look like and I'm personally often more concerned when I don't here this being yelled out while the x-ray security operator is viewing my bag. A bag check is really simple. You collect all your items, just as discussed in "8) The Rollout" and a security screener carries one of your bags, in your full view, to a separate table. At that table you must never touch your items unless instructed to do so, the screener will look through tour bag and possibly wipe it down with a swab intended to detect explosives. This is not a big deal; when they are done you repack your bag (unless you have explosives in which case you have a lot of explaining to do).

10) Have A Good Flight -- 'Have A Good Fight' is just what it sounds like........

Below are a few photos from New York's JFK International Airport Terminal 7 security screening checkpoint from this morning. These photos show the long dual-line leading up to the security checkpoint ; the whole screening process from the side ; the whole screening process from behind.

Hopefully the photos will put some of what I detailed in this post into a practical context for the infrequent flyers.

Happy Flying!

--Click Images To Enlarge Them--

20/6/2008-Weekly Roundup: The Travel Strategist Launches; New TSA Changes; Two Airlines Unite; Carry-On Bag Etiquette; Win A Camera; Fish On The Radio

Web: www.fishfoto.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com

20/6/2008-Weekly Roundup: The Travel Strategist Launches; New TSA Changes; Two Airlines Unite; Carry-On Bag Etiquette; Win A Camera; Fish On The Radio

This week I have taken a bold new step in the direction of expanding the knowledge that I write about on Flying With Fish. Rather than accept ads to be placed on Flying With Fish I made a radical leap and started a whole new venture, which should support Flying With Fish! This new venture is a worldwide business-to-business travel solutions company; you can visit it at www.TheTravelStrategist.com

Aside from the new business-to-business venture, let's revisit the Week In Review!

This week kicked off with Father's Day! While I rarely post on Sundays, being that I am a Dad, I wanted to wish a Happy Father's Day to all the readers of Flying With Fish! You read my Father's Day entry here: 15/6/2008 - Happy Father’s Day!

The first read day of the week was met with TSA Screeners receiving 'law enforcement' style badges to be worn with their new uniforms. Passengers at Baltimore-Washington International Airport were the first to be greeted by 'badged' TSA screeners. You can read about this change here: 16/6/2008 - TSA Agents Get A Badge : Should TSA Screeners Have 'Law Enforcement' Shields?

Later in the week we explore the TSA's new program, which they call "Aviation Direct Access Screening Program." In reality this program is simply the TSA instituting random physical security searches at boarding gates, as passengers board. To find out more on this new program you can check here:
19/6/2008 - TSA Institutes New Secondary Security Searches At The Gate

With airlines changing their checked baggage policies we revisited an old topic of etiquette. Please read some of the basic rules of carry-on baggage etiquette in this entry: 18/6/2008 - Carry On Baggage Etiquette

On a lighter note, I wrote up Popular Photography's new contest seeking the 'worst photo you have ever shot".......where you can win a new camera! Have a photo you botched beyond repair.....and then you fixed it? Read here to enter for your new camera: 19/6/2008 - Win A Camera In Popular Photography's "Photo Makeover Contest!"

This week ended with a major announcement in the U.S. airline industry. Continental Airlines has decided to not only create a joint venture with United Airlines, but they have also opted to leave the SkyTeam airline alliance and join the Star Alliance. This changes the landscape of US travel significantly, but it can be a good thing! Find out more about this deal here: 20/6/2008 - Continental & United Airlines Announce Joint Venture : Is This Good For Passengers?

On a more personal note, you can listen to my interview on Inside Digital Photo Radio online now! The full interview with Scott Sheppard is available at: 18/6/2008 - Listen To Flying With Fish On The Radio! (well it’s a PodCast from the archive now)

............and we round out the week with the introduction, and beta/soft-launch of The Travel Strategist! You can read up on this new B2B venture here: 20/6/2008 - The Travel Strategist Takes Off! : New Business-to-Business Travel Solutions Venture

If you'd like to support this site, pushing yourself to the limits, as both a traveler and a photographer, while learning an entirely new set of travel and photography skills, join me on a No Jet Lag Workshop. You can find details at www.ComeFlyWithFish.com

That's it for this week

Happy Flying!

TSA Institutes New Secondary Security Searches At The Gate

Web: www.fishfoto.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com

19/6/2008 - TSA Institutes New Secondary Security Searches At The Gate

This summer the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will be making air travel just a little more complex and confusing as it plans to reinstitute additional security screenings at 'the boarding gate.'

The random screening of passengers, who have already cleared TSA security checkpoint, as they enter the gate was stopped quite a while back. The suspension of this practice was a brief moment of joy for frequent flyers, however the TSA is bringing it back this summer and calling it "Aviation Direct Access Screening Program" (ADASP). This new secondary search is intended to include physical hand searches of carry on baggage; secondary search for explosive devises with a mobile detection device; double checking of identification and boarding passes.

A few things come to mind with the double checking of identification and boarding passes at the gate. The TSA does not require you to have proof-positive photo identification. Under the current TSA policies passenger may fly if they have lost or forgotten their photo ID. These passengers are subject to a secondary screening and inspection by a TSA Behaviour Detection Officer (BDO). Once they are determined to not be a threat they are allowed to pass through the security checkpoint.

A concern for photographers should be the risk of significant delay should they be chosen for a secondary hand-search of carry on bags at the gate. Most photographers get to the airport early to allow for extra time in security should they be selected for secondary screenings. At the gate you can't arrive early, as screenings do not begin until the flight has been called for boarding.

Under the previous 'at gate' security checks I missed a flight due to the security check. I had a late connection at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), the gate was closing, I handed over my boarding pass and was told I had just made it (the airline was paging me as I was sprinting). Just as I crossed the door the TSA pulled me aside for a random search. Once the TSA agent opened my bag the airline gate agent's eyes went wide and told me she could not hold the flight for me.

What was in my bag? Two digital cameras, approximately 8 lenses, six camera batteries, four flashes, four Pocket Wizards, laptop, remote-data transmit kit, 4 sets of spare "AA" batteries, chargers for camera batteries and "AA" batteries, and other random accessories.

The TSA screener proceeded to empty my entire bag and inspect each item, both visually and with the 'swab test.' I asked why I was being searched now that I had missed my flight and I was told 'procedure.' A normal full search of my bag is generally 5 minutes, this search took 10 minutes. I am sure it is because the TSA screener knew I had now missed my flight.

The TSA's BDOs will be deployed in airports to visually scan for flyers that appear to have signs of fear, stress or deception. Having spoken to many passengers who have a fear of flying, I can't think of any greater stress than already being terrified of the flying experience, then being approached by a uniformed TSA agent for further questioning. I envision many daily frequent flyers as seeing this as a 'show of force,' rather than an actual security tactic.

Overall the idea of this kind of secondary screening further lowers the public perception of the TSA. This does not heighten the sense of security to the flying public, it gives the impression that the TSA has a significant failure rate at the initial screening check point and that they need to try and rectify that during a secondary search.

A question I have is this. The TSA does not intend to increase its staffing levels, so where is this additional staff going to come from? Many airports already operate with limited potential security lanes closed due to low staffing levels. These security lane closures cause delays and increased passenger wait times. Won't pulling TSA screeners off the front lines for the secondary screening create even lower 'front line' staffing levels an further increase passenger wait times?

It has been interesting to find a few sources stating that the TSA’s ADASP teams find a significant amount of 'banned items' at the Gate Searches. Why do all these banned items make it through the primary screening checkpoint?
This, again, does not make me feel safer. This, again, tells me that the TSA needs the right tools to perform their duties at the primary screening checkpoint, and that the TSA needs to provide its screeners with better training.

So to all you summer flyers, keep this in mind when you pack and when you get to the gate.

Happy Flying!

TSA Agents Get A Badge : Should TSA Screeners Have 'Law Enforcement' Shields?

Web: www.fishfotoworldwide.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com

16/6/2008 - TSA Agents Get A Badge : Should TSA Screeners Have 'Law Enforcement' Shields?


This morning as passengers lined up for security screening at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints at Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) they were greeted by TSA Screeners wearing badges.

I rarely speak negatively about the TSA. I see the TSA as being an agency tasked with a very difficult job, and being forced to navigate the political waters as such a 'young agency.' However in this instance my words may come off negatively. My negativity is not aimed at the front line TSA screeners who do an excellent job day-in-and-day out in securing the traveling public. My issue is with those who will use the new TSA uniform in an manner unfitting of someone wearing a badge and those in the upper levels of the TSA who decided this was a valid solution. These upper-level officials would rather change the uniform, and add a badge, than fixing well documented problems within the front line screening personnel and their interaction with the traveling public.

The new TSA badges are not the yellow patches sewn onto a white shirt or maroon sweater we have grown accustomed to (although the TSA at BWI has been wear a new blue uniform for a few weeks now), these are actual 'law enforcement' style metal badges. In the eyes of many frequent travelers, as well as bona-fide law enforcement officers, there are inherent problems with TSA Screeners wearing badges.

While TSA screeners are required to attend a two-day training program on how to speak with passenger in a 'calm manner' and other related issues before being issued their badges, screeners will not be allowed to wear or display their badges off duty. With the TSA employing well over 45,000 uniformed screeners, and the agency having a current turnover rate of approximately 21.2% for a variety of reasons, this leaves a lot of potential 'federally issued' badges out on the streets being possessed by those who are not actually law enforcement agents.

The TSA hopes that the badges will give the front line screeners more respect from the traveling public. The TSA should probably address its pre-hire screening process and screener training before placing its front line 'public face' into the field if it wishes to gain more respect. There are many (thousands) of documented cases of TSA screeners making up rules on the spot, no matter how incorrect, which in turn leads to misinformation and in-turn a confusing security process for travelers. When confronted by a 'federal agent' in uniform most passengers back down, now with a badge in place I'm sure the cases of intimidation with rise as well.

The many documented cases of under trained screeners, misinformed screeners, screeners who perform 'retaliatory secondary screenings' and the common complaints of 'intimidation,' are what lead to a lack of respect for the TSA's front line. There are many outstanding TSA screeners, but overall the image of the TSA's front line is in need of more professional training rather than a change of uniform.

Aside from the general objections to TSA screeners being issued badges, there are larger implications. What happens when there is a legitimate law enforcement problem in an airport and civilians turn to TSA agents for assistance where they are unable to help? What happens when TSA screeners are commonly mistaken for uniformed law enforcement while walking through an airport or other public area?

How will the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) respond when cases of TSA screeners’ flashing-their-badges start becoming a frequent issue, despite screeners not being allowed to display their badge off duty?

Will the TSA be issuing badges to screeners at airports such as San Francisco International Airport (SFO) where the security checkpoints are not operated by the TSA and the screeners are not TSA employees?

This morning USA Today reported that A.J. Castilla, a spokesman for a TSA Screeners Union, appeared eager to get a badge and is quoted him as saying "It'll go a long way to enhance the respect of this workforce."

Unfortunately I believe that the addition of a badge to the TSA uniform will not bring the screeners more respect. I see the addition of a badge to the TSA uniform as something that will not only bring confusion to the role of a TSA screener to the flying public, but also bring significant resentment aimed at TSA screeners from 'legitimate' law enforcement officers.

Happy Flying!

6/06/2008-Weekly Roundup: Let Fish Send You Flying; Fish On TV; New Visa Rules; Songs To Bring You Home; New TSA Regulations?; Unstable Airfares

Web: www.fishfotoworldwide.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com

6/06/2008-Weekly Roundup: Let Fish Send You Flying; Fish On TV; New Visa Rules; Songs To Bring You Home; New TSA Regulations?; Unstable Airfares

This week has been a week of news for flyers. The industry that takes us where we need to go is slipping further into turmoil. With the rising costs of oil forcing airlines to cut costs, a weakening US dollar and recession curtailing both pleasure travel and business travel, the 'desperation' scenarios for airlines seem to rapidly be appearing one after another.

This week Spirit Airlines announces it's plans close its crew bases in both San Juan International Airport (SJU) in Puerto Rico and LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in New York. Additionally Spirit Airlines will seek to shrink its main hub at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) in Florida. In additional cost saving measure Spirit Airlines will seek to lay off 60% of it's flight attendants and 45% of it's pilots.

United Airlines' announcements this week are broad and drastic. United plans to trim its US domestic capacity by 18% through 2009. In addition to slashing domestic capacity the airline will be parking 100 aircraft from it's fleet. With the reduction of the fleet always comes the reduction of employees. United initially announced the reduction of 500 employees and has now changed this staffing cut to 1,500 employees.

In addition to United Airlines cutting its domestic traffic, parking 100 aircraft (of it's 460 aircraft) has announced that it will be closing down "Ted." Ted is United's internal low cost airline. Many United frequent flyers are not fond of Ted, but as a product when competing with other low cost carriers I found its service on par with other low cost carriers. Of course an airline operating a "sub-fleet" with an airline adds additional costs to the operations.

Continental Airlines, one of the last seemingly stable "legacy airlines" in the United States announced that it will slash 3,000 jobs within the company and ground 67 of it's 368 aircraft. The fate of the 85 aircraft Continental Airlines has on order is currently unknown.

British all-business-class airline Silverjet pushed off for possibly the last time. Silverjet however already has investors lined up, and it is trying to put this well respected airline back into the air as soon as possible. I hope to see Silver Jet in the air again soon.

Hawaiian Airlines has gained ground and revenue from the unfortunate recent closure of Aloha Airlines. With the increase in capacity Hawaiian Airlines has actually added four Boeing 717-200 aircraft to meet this new capacity need. But again, this increase in traffic comes from the demise of a long standing, and storied, airline. With a virtual monopoly on Hawaiian inter-island traffic, the passengers have few alternatives and it does not improve the options for flyers.

In a stunning turn for airlines, but not unexpected given the airlines, Southwest Airlines showed a 7% growth in May 2008! Other airlines are dropping routes, parking aircraft, and SWA flew 6.7 billion passenger miles in May 2008, up from 6.3 billion passenger miles in 2007. For the entire start of 2008 Southwest Airlines' passenger loads are up 8% while other airlines are struggling to retain passengers, cutting perks, adding on additional fees for everything from booking with a reservations agents and checking baggage, yet Southwest Airlines once again defies all other US based airlines.


........now that I've sombered the mood a bit, let's move onto the week in review.

This week kicked off with me offering one of you readers the chance to spread your wings and roam the country! Flying With Fish is offering a $100 Southwest Airlines e-gift card, good for travel anywhere Southwest Airlines flies! All you need to do is tell me where you want to go, why you want to go and what you want to see there. Come on, you're reading this right now, which means you're at your computer.......start thinking about this and let Flying With Fish help you get out and see the United States! You can read all the details here : 2/06/2008 - Go Flying On Fish! Tell Me Why You Want To Travel & Win A $100 Southwest Airlines Gift Card!

Did you miss my tips for getting through airport security on ABC News' Good Morning America? Well, if so, watch my appearance on Good Morning America here: 2/06/2008 - Flying With Fish On Good Morning America : The Video Clip!

This week the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced the introduction of the new 'eVisa' program for foreign visitors to the United States....and I many of you read the information Flying With Fish hours before it was announced here in the U.S. The new system has its ups and downs, it is more streamlined than then I-94 forms, but the integration and effectiveness of this new program has yet to be seen. You can read additional information on this new registration scheme for those traveling from Visa Waiver nations in this post: 2/06/2008 - New Rules For Foreign Visitors To The United States : Be Prepared

Music keeps us sane on the road. Everyone has their own play lists for various situations. You can find out my play list (and watch some music videos) for reminding me that it's time to end my trip and go home in this entry: 3/06/2008 - Six Songs That Remind Me To Go Home

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has long since discussing changing some regulations and standard operating procedures (SOP). While nothing has been announced, I have posted the changes that seem to be the most credible based on research and verification. If you want to know the potentially soon to be announced changes in the TSA regulations and SOP read this : 4/06/2008 - Are New TSA Standard Operating Procedures On The Horizon?

This week wrapped up with addressing the recent trend of unstable airfares. While I am not an economist by any stretch of the imagination, I offer some suggestion on how to try and potentially hedge your bets when booking flights during these tough and rapidly changing times in the airline industry. For some insights on how to try and beat the system, or at least work with the system, during this time of commercial aviation upheaval you can check here: 5/06/2008 – Unstable Airfares & The Need To Travel : Are There Options?

I'm hoping for a more relaxing and positive week next week!

Happy Flying!

Are New TSA Standard Operating Procedures On The Horizon?

Web: www.fishfotoworldwide.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com

4/06/2008 - Are New TSA Standard Operating Procedures On The Horizon?

Over the past 10 days I have started to hear some 'rumblings' about a change in some of the current US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations and standard operating procedures (SOP). As these rumours can make their rounds somewhat regularly I contacted a few people within the organization to see what they were hearing. Having now heard back from a few contacts within the organization I'm now prepared to believe these rumbling may some significant credibility.

So what are these potential new changes in the TSA regulations and SOP?

--The TSA will begin instituting random pat-downs of passengers who have crossed through the metal detector. It is unclear whether or not this random pat-down will be initiated by TSA screeners or an automated system that will trigger the pat-down. Obviously an automated system is much more random and more in line with a change in SOP.

--The TSA's new Photo Identification policy will now allow for photo IDs that are expired less than 12 months. Current rules only allow for "current and valid" government issued photo identification for passengers over the age of 18. I see this as a good change, as the TSA does not currently require you to have a photo identification provided you consent to a full search of your bags, a pat down and answer some "challenge questions." I have seen one flyer end up being treated to this scenario when handing over a recently expired passport to the airport security ID checker when he explained her had lost his drivers license.

--Passengers who have no photo ID you will automatically have their boarding pass processed as they were tagged with "SSSS." Rather than the current identification challenge you will be subject by Screening Passengers by Observation Techniques (SPOTted) by a Behavior Detection Officer (BDO). Currently BDOs do not work in this capacity.

--Passengers are currently only allowed to make two passes through the walk through metal detector before a pat-down and ‘wanding,’ should they set off the metal detector. The new SOP would allow a passenger to pass through the metal detector as many times as necessary to shed themselves of metal and not set off the metal detector. A passenger may request a 'wanding' if they prefer.

--Under the potential new TSA SOP you may bring any liquid or gel you'd like through security provided the TSA Agent can find nothing to indicate it is a threat. It is unclear how liquids and gels would be tested and be deemed safe. The potential new SOP wording is vague on whether this still limits passengers to to 3oz/100ml, however the TSA is indicating that the current volume limits on liquids are likely to be removed entirely.

For those of you who don't find 3oz to be a large enough container, keep in mind you are allowed 3oz or 100ml, in your 3-1-1 bag. 100ml is 3.4 oz, so find containers marked 100ml.

Should these new TSA regulations and SOP changes come into place, the changes are expected to be announced in late June or early July as the summer travel season comes into full swing.

Happy Flying!

Security Of Checked Baggage : Is There A Better Way?

Web: www.fishfoto.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com

24/05/2008 - Security Of Checked Baggage : Is There A Better Way?

Last night while watching a line of people check in for the late ANA (NH) flight from Hong Kong (HKG) to Tokyo (HND), I found myself watching one man running tape around his zipper at the check in counter. I don't know if it was to prevent theft or to repair a damaged zipper, but I found myself watching this wondering if this is the simple solutions airlines and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) must adopt to drastically cut down on thefts from checked baggage in the United States.

Many flyers use locks only to find their zipper as been jammed open with a knife and re-zipped, the locks have been opened with TSA 'Sentry' keys or the lock has been completely cut off. The frustration passengers feel when their bag arrives missing items they know they had checked, is massive. The answers to stopping baggage theft have become an impossible series of finger pointing situations between airlines and the TSA, which further frustrate flyer. In the end the lack of security of the contents of bags, under the noses of the federalized baggage screening process make both the TSA and the airlines look untrustworthy.

My solution is this...........ready for it?...........Simple paper based tape that is perforated with a stamped with a date stamp from the originating airport. The TSA currently places a small sticker on your checked bag's baggage tag that states your bag has been x-rayed. I say do away with this sticker and use a paper based perforated tape that encircles the bag and place the date on that piece of tape in one or two locations. Each TSA agent should be issued their own stamp with their badge number on the stamper. By personalizing the stamps they cannot easily be replicated and passed around (such as the lack of security of obtaining a set of TSA 'Sentry Lock" keys).

Once a piece of paper tape is torn, can never be repaired. Shipping warehouses have been using paper tape for years to prove if a package has or has not been tampered with. This way if a bag has been tampered with a passenger has a greater chance of knowing immediately upon retrieving their bags.

Paper based tape is low cost, low tech and highly effective. On a low-volume purchase, a case of paper tape costs approximately US$168 per case of heavy strength tape, a case of tape comes with 72 rolls, at 2"x55 yards. approximately 1 yard per bag, comes to around US$0.04 per bag. With the bulk the TSA would be buying these rolls of tape in I'm sure the cost would drop lower than $0.04. Stampers in bulk run about $6 per stamper, less expensive than the new "flashlights" in use at check points, and the costs will still be less than the new shift from "white uniforms to the new "blue uniforms" that can currently be seen at Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI).

With all the taxes and fees that passengers who fly within, through, or from the United States are forced to pay, I don't see spending $0.04 per bag as such a financial burden.......if even with the rising costs of fuel.

Just a potentially simple solution that costs pennies per-bag to put into action.

Happy Flying!

23/05/2008-Weekly Roundup: Safer Airline Seats? Flying With Fish Airs On TV!, Navigating Airport Security, American Airlines Nickel-&-Diming Bags

Web: www.fishfotoworldwide.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com

23/05/2008-Weekly Roundup: Safer Airline Seats? Flying With Fish Airs On TV!, Navigating Airport Security, American Airlines Nickel-&-Diming Bags

This week’s Weekly Round Up is being written from Hong Kong International Airport's Terminal 2 (HKG), with a slightly stiff neck and semi-sore lower back, after 18 hours traveling from New York's JFK Airport (JFK) to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) , and Beijing to Hong Kong in the back of the plane.

Some people have accused me of losing touch with the "real flying experience," however this is not so. I fly all economy airlines, such as Southwest Airlines and United Airlines's "Ted" often, and fly many of my back-to-back North American transcontinental flights in 'the back.' This weekend I will fly more than 16,000 miles round-trip in 70 hours, while working for 18 hours during my brief time on the ground, and do all my flying in Air China's economy class. I have logged hundreds of thousands of miles cramped into narrow economy class seats on regional jets, turbo-props (my 'home' airport only flies turbo-props) and flown many long-haul flights in barely padded seats with no legroom.

When I say I feel your pain...trust me, I feel the pain of the "real flying experience."


This past week on Flying With Fish I addressed a question of choosing airline seats based on 'safety." In my opinion, all seats are equally as prone to risks should there be a "situation." One reader of Flying With Fish quoted an MSN/Best Life article on seat safety that lists seats specifically by row/seat according to different aircraft types. This article (which can be found in the comments section of my post) lists it's information is written by a well-known travel writer, who bases his opinions on "personal experience", not evidence. I have to wonder how many airliner crashes this person has been in for "personal experience." What makes the MSN/Best Life article even more confusing for potential flyers is that it lists rows/seats that are only in relation to a specific airline and it's seat configuration on one-type of aircraft. Some airlines have multiple seating configurations for the same aircraft, which makes the entire article's information not only baseless but also useless. You can read up on this subject at: 19/05/2008 - Are Some Seats On The Plane Safer Than Others?


This week I introduced the readers of Flying With Fish to a "Month In The Life." This look back at my last month of travel was posted on the same day I appeared on Good Morning America (I hope to have a clip on YouTube shortly, but you can read it here www.FishOnGMA.notlong.com), and takes you through 32,000+ miles traveled, 7 countries and 11 cities (well 10 cities and me sleeping in 1 city). One reader questioned this last photo in a "Month In The Life," asking how I can preach security yet leave a camera out on a timer. The answer is simple, my bags were all locked and secured to bar on the floor a few inches in front of the bench I was laying on. The camera I used to shoot me sleeping was placed inside a locked PacSafe 55. This camera, inside the PacSafe 55 was locked inside an open public locker at Amsterdam-Schiphol International Airport. This is how I can preach securing your bags, and property, and still create these types of images with my gear being secured. You can see the photos and read up on my "Month In The Life" here:
20/05/2008 - A Month In The Life Of A Flying Fish

I am frequently asked to detail step-for-step my procedure for securing my property, while maintaining my ability to quickly get through a TSA checkpoint. Having sent off a detailed response to more than 400 people since the start of the year I thought it might be time just to post it on Flying With Fish. So, for my detailed step by step procedures for getting through security checkpoints hassle free and problem free read this:
21/05/2008 - Airport Security Screening System : Get Through Security With Ease & Safety

This week on Flying With Fish ended with American Airlines announcing it would begin charging $15 for the first single checked bag on all US Domestic routes, with increasing charges after the first bag. This is not acceptable for an airline that often has some of the most expensive fares in the sky. American Airlines, a 'Legacy Carrier,' currently the largest airline in the United States, is now employing tactics not even used by Low Cost Carriers (except Spirit Airline in the U.S.). American Airlines' new baggage policy takes he top position in the Nickle-and-Diming of flyers, hands down. To read more about American Airlines is further blurring the lines between 'Legacy Carriers' and 'Low Cost Carriers' please check here: 22/05/2008 - American Airlines' New Baggage Policy: Is There A Line Between Legacy Airlines & Low Cost Carriers Anymore?


I'm going to wrap up this Weekly Round Up with a photo I shot around 11:00pm (GMT+8), I'm guessing I was somewhere over (or around) Shenzhen, between Beijing and Hong Kong. We had a lightening storm shortly after the wheels went up, it was bumpy, but beautiful, followed by a big beautiful moon shining in my window in seat 29A for the flight...I know the photo does not do the view justice, but it made me smile.

Happy Flying!

--Click Image To Enlarge It--