Remote Control Toys and Airport Security

by Jamie Rhein on

The latest items to bear scrutiny at U.S. airports are remote-control toys. Even a child with a toy car and the battery operated gizmo that runs it might be looked at more carefully. This doesn’t mean you can’t take your toy on board, but if you have one, you could get a pat down and have your hand-carried luggage searched. A University of Florida student is partly to blame. He made a video in Arabic that he posted on You Tube explaining how to turn such a toy into a bomb detonator. Of course, the guy was also arrested in August on explosive charges.

Lest we think that it just takes one to spoil the fun for the rest of us, there are other factors that have played into this decision, although nothing specific. There hasn’t been a plan uncovered, although, in Sri Lanka and India such toys have been used to explode a bomb. If you’re worried that your car key remote, or your remote channel changer for your TV that you happen to take with you on trips might flag you, don’t. They don’t count. (see article)

Giant Ads Seen From the Air

by Catherine Bodry on

Companies are always looking for new ways to advertise their products. In Anchorage, I’ve noticed a large truck that just drives around town flashing ads on its sides. I think they’re calling this a “moving billboard.” I’m calling it a waste of gas.

Well, someone came up with another brilliant idea to capture consumers’ attention: giant ads the size of three football fields aimed at plane passengers coming in to land. The UK’s Ad-Air launched this new service last week, offering brands ad space near some of the world’s busiest runways. The company has spent the last 5 years securing space around several major airports, which include Heathrow, Paris, and Los Angeles.

The first giant ad will appear near Dubai’s airport in October.

Alaska Airlines at Seattle-Tacoma Airport: A Check-in Makeover

by Jamie Rhein on

I heard on the radio yesterday that there’s going to be a new flow for passenger check-ins at Alaska Airlines in Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Recognizing that the traditional long check-in counters and passenger lines that snake around themselves while people wait their turn is not efficient. Too many people travel these days. Recognizing the dilemma, Alaska Airlines is making changes. First, there aren’t going to be any more long counters with one or two long snakey lines. Instead, there are going to be several round shaped island check-in kiosks where passengers arrange themselves. People will go to the ones with the less people. As the story said, people will organize themselves similar to how they do at grocery stores. There’s no need to herd people. Baaah! baaah!! (sheep sounds)

Also, instead of the ticket person putting passengers’ bags onto the conveyor belt after screening, the passengers will put their own bags on. The idea behind these changes is to create a better flow and to cut down anxiety which will speed up the check-in process. The system is to debuts this fall. Perhaps if Alaska Airlines’ system is successful, we’ll see more changes with other airlines’ check-in methods.

Every Move You Make: TSA is Watching You

by Catherine Bodry on

Feeling antsy as you stand in that airport security line? Nervous you might miss your flight? Worried about that meeting tomorrow?

Even if you’re unaware that you’re giving off nervous vibes, the Transportation Security Administration might notice. The TSA has trained 2,000 of its employees to “replace hunches” with behavior psychology pioneered by Israeli airport security.

Specially-trained “behavior-detective officers” observe the security line and pluck suspicious travelers from the line for questioning. Then the officers chat the passenger up, all the while paying close attention to the passenger’s face, body language, and speech.

So far the TSA has made 278 arrests based on behavior detection. None were terror-related.

Read the full article at USA Today.

Reserve Your Place in an Airport Security Line?

by Catherine Bodry on

Pretty soon, you might be able to reserve a spot in an airport security line. The Travel Transportation Security Administration is considering a reservation system that would assign travelers an approximate screening time — and hopefully entice them to travel during off-peak hours. Waits could be reduced to 5 to 10 minutes.

But the logic behind the system seems a bit faulty: passengers would have to arrive 20 to 30 minutes earlier than usual, and would have to pay a fee. Doesn’t arriving early defeat the purpose of reserving a place? So why would I pay just to wait on the other side of security?

More on the TSA:

Register for a Fast Pass Through Airport Security

Travel Lessons We Can Learn From Summer 2007

Airport Security: Once You Go Through, There’s No Turning Back

I’m not the only naysayer; the article quotes several higher-ups in travel administration who believe a reservation system would be silly. Arguments against it include the fact that travelers already have an incentive to fly during off-peak times — lower rates. Also, many business travelers already belong to frequent flier clubs which reserve special security lines for their members.

I don’t mind the security line as long as I’m not in a hurry and I’ve got a book to read. It means I’m stretching my legs, preparing them for their long crunch when my plane is waiting in line on the tarmac.

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